The 2019–20 Scottish Lowland Football League was the seventh season of the Lowland Football League, the fifth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system. East Kilbride were the reigning champions.
| Season | 2019–20 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 27 July 2019 – 13 April 2020 |
| Champions | Kelty Hearts |
| Relegated | None |
| Matches played | 195 |
| Goals scored | 713 (3.66 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Nathan Austin (Kelty Hearts) (37 goals)[1] |
| Biggest home win | Kelty Hearts 11–0 Vale of Leithen (14 December 2019) |
| Biggest away win | Vale of Leithen 0–7 Kelty Hearts (24 August 2019) |
| Highest scoring | Kelty Hearts 11–0 Vale of Leithen (14 December 2019) |
| Longest winning run | 14 matches: Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic |
| Longest unbeaten run | 21 matches: Kelty Hearts |
| Longest winless run | 15 matches: Edinburgh University |
| Longest losing run | 8 matches: Vale of Leithen |
| Highest attendance | 1,510[2] Kelty Hearts 3–2 Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic (29 February 2020) |
← 2018–19 2020–21 → | |
Berwick Rangers became the second club to join the league via relegation from the SPFL, having lost the previous season's League Two play-off against Cove Rangers. East of Scotland League champions Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic were promoted to the league, replacing Whitehill Welfare who were relegated. Edusport Academy renamed to Caledonian Braves prior to the season.
The season began on 27 July 2019 and was scheduled to end on 18 April 2020, but on 13 March, the league was indefinitely suspended due to the 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak.[3] A points per game formula was subsequently used to determine the final standings, with Kelty Hearts declared champions on 13 April.[4]
Teams edit
The following teams changed division after the 2018–19 season.
To Lowland League edit
Relegated from League Two
Promoted from East of Scotland League
From Lowland League edit
Relegated to East of Scotland League
Folded
Stadia and locations edit
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berwick Rangers | Berwick-upon-Tweed | Shielfield Park | 4,099 | 1,366 |
| Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | Bonnyrigg | New Dundas Park | 2,200 | 0 |
| BSC Glasgow | Alloa | Recreation Park[a] | 3,100 | 919 |
| Caledonian Braves | Motherwell | Alliance Park | 500 | 100 |
| Civil Service Strollers | Edinburgh | Christie Gillies Park | 1,569 | 100 |
| Cumbernauld Colts | Cumbernauld | Broadwood Stadium | 8,086 | 8,086 |
| Dalbeattie Star | Dalbeattie | Islecroft Stadium | 1,320 | 100 |
| East Kilbride | East Kilbride | K Park | 660 | 400 |
| East Stirlingshire | Falkirk | Falkirk Stadium[b] | 7,937 | 7,937 |
| Edinburgh University | Edinburgh | New Peffermill Stadium | 1,100 | 100 |
| Gala Fairydean Rovers | Galashiels | 3G Arena, Netherdale | 2,000 | 500 |
| Gretna 2008 | Gretna | Raydale Park | 1,030 | 138 |
| Kelty Hearts | Kelty | New Central Park | 2,181 | 353 |
| The Spartans | Edinburgh | Ainslie Park | 3,612 | 534 |
| University of Stirling | Stirling | Forthbank Stadium[c] | 3,808 | 2,508 |
| Vale of Leithen | Innerleithen | Victoria Park | 1,500 | 0 |
- Notes
- ^ BSC Glasgow are ground-sharing with Alloa Athletic due to the lack of a suitable venue in Glasgow.
- ^ East Stirlingshire are ground-sharing with Falkirk.
- ^ University of Stirling are ground-sharing with Stirling Albion.
All grounds are equipped with floodlights, except Victoria Park (Vale of Leithen).
Personnel and kits edit
| Team | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berwick Rangers |  Ian Little
|
Euan Smith
|
Hummel | Michael Guthrie Developments |
| Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | Robbie Horn
|
Jonathan Stewart
|
Macron | G. Fitzsimmons and Son |
| BSC Glasgow | Stephen Swift
|
Ross McMillan
|
Joma | Nicholson Accountancy |
| Caledonian Braves | Ricky Waddell
|
Alan Reid
|
Macron | |
| Civil Service Strollers | Gary Jardine
|
Mark McConnell
|
Legea | Futurity Financial Services |
| Cumbernauld Colts | Craig McKinlay & James Orr
|
Stephen O'Neill
|
Uhlsport | MES Ltd |
| Dalbeattie Star | Ritchie Maxwell
|
Vinnie Parker
|
Joma | Solway Plant Hire |
| East Kilbride | Craig Malcolm
|
Joma | Enviro-Clean | |
| East Stirlingshire | Derek Ure
|
Jamie Barclay
|
EV2 Sportswear | Central Industrial Services |
| Edinburgh University | Dorian Ogunro
|
 Finn Daniels-Yeomans
|
PlayerLayer | TWEDEX |
| Gala Fairydean Rovers | Neil Hastings
|
Danny Galbraith
|
Adidas | Five Star Taxis |
| Gretna 2008 | Rowan Alexander
|
 Joe Jackson
|
Macron | Welzh Wertzeug |
| Kelty Hearts | Barry Ferguson
|
Gary Cennerazzo
|
Joma | The Conservatory Converters |
| The Spartans | Douglas Samuel
|
Adam Corbett
|
Macron | Arthur McKay |
| University of Stirling | Chris Geddes
|
Angus Mailer
|
VSN | Mackay Clinic |
| Vale of Leithen | Chris Anderson
|
Ger Rossi
|
Adidas | WillSweep |
Managerial changes edit
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Kilbride | Stuart Malcolm
|
Signed by Forfar Athletic | 10 November 2019[5] | 8th | ||
| Gretna 2008 |  Chris Humphrey
|
Sacked | 30 November 2019[6] | 14th | Rowan Alexander
|
2 December 2019[7] |
League summary edit
League table edit
With the season not being fully completed, a points per game formula was subsequently used to determine the final standings, with Kelty Hearts declared champions on 13 April.[4] Only two teams' league positions were changed as a result; with BSC Glasgow's 2.32 points average moving them past the 2.04 of East Stirlingshire for third place.[8][9]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kelty Hearts (C) | 25 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 95 | 17 | +78 | 68 | 2.72 |
| 2 | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | 24 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 70 | 22 | +48 | 62 | 2.58 |
| 3 | BSC Glasgow[a] | 22 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 58 | 21 | +37 | 51 | 2.32 |
| 4 | East Stirlingshire | 26 | 17 | 2 | 7 | 77 | 29 | +48 | 53 | 2.04 |
| 5 | The Spartans | 25 | 16 | 1 | 8 | 49 | 32 | +17 | 49 | 1.96 |
| 6 | Civil Service Strollers | 23 | 12 | 3 | 8 | 40 | 38 | +2 | 39 | 1.70 |
| 7 | East Kilbride | 23 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 43 | 24 | +19 | 37 | 1.61 |
| 8 | Caledonian Braves | 26 | 11 | 3 | 12 | 57 | 55 | +2 | 36 | 1.38 |
| 9 | Cumbernauld Colts | 27 | 10 | 6 | 11 | 49 | 50 | −1 | 36 | 1.33 |
| 10 | University of Stirling | 25 | 9 | 4 | 12 | 28 | 44 | −16 | 31 | 1.24 |
| 11 | Gala Fairydean Rovers | 25 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 39 | 55 | −16 | 27 | 1.08 |
| 12 | Berwick Rangers | 24 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 32 | 41 | −9 | 24 | 1.00 |
| 13 | Gretna 2008 | 24 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 21 | 62 | −41 | 12 | 0.50 |
| 14 | Edinburgh University | 25 | 2 | 6 | 17 | 18 | 66 | −48 | 12 | 0.48 |
| 15 | Dalbeattie Star | 23 | 3 | 2 | 18 | 19 | 68 | −49 | 11 | 0.48 |
| 16 | Vale of Leithen | 23 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 18 | 89 | −71 | 8 | 0.35 |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions
Notes:
Positions by round edit
The table lists the positions of teams after each round of matches. In order to preserve chronological progress, any postponed matches are not included in the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match is scheduled for matchday 13, but then postponed and played between days 16 and 17, it will be added to the standings for day 16.
| Qualification for the Pyramid play-off | |
| Possible relegation to the EoSFL or SoSFL | |
| Relegation to the EoSFL or SoSFL |
| Team \ Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelty Hearts | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||
| East Stirlingshire | 7 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |||
| BSC Glasgow | 6 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |||
| The Spartans | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |||
| Civil Service Strollers | 4 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | |||
| East Kilbride | 9 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | |||
| Caledonian Braves | 3 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | |||
| Cumbernauld Colts | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | |||
| University of Stirling | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |||
| Gala Fairydean Rovers | 12 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | |||
| Berwick Rangers | 8 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | |||
| Gretna 2008 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | |||
| Edinburgh University | 14 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | |||
| Dalbeattie Star | 16 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |||
| Vale of Leithen | 15 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Source: Lowland League Table
Updated: 29 February 2020
Results edit
Top scorers edit
- As of 8 March 2020[1]
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nathan Austin
|
Kelty Hearts | 37 |
| 2 | Ross McNeil
|
Caledonian Braves | 17 |
| 3 | Jamie Dishington
|
East Stirlingshire | 16 |
| 4 | Thomas Collins
|
BSC Glasgow | 14 |
| Neil McLaughlin
|
Caledonian Braves | ||
| Thomas Orr
|
BSC Glasgow | ||
| 7 | Sean Brown
|
East Stirlingshire | 13 |
| Scott Linton
|
Kelty Hearts | ||
| Marty Wright
|
Cumbernauld Colts | ||
| 10 | George Hunter
|
Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | 12 |
| Nicky Low
|
East Stirlingshire |
League Cup edit
A 16-team straight knock-out tournament was scheduled to take place over four weekends at the end of the league season. Following the suspension of all Scottish football until the end of April due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland, the League Cup was cancelled.[10]
Lowland League play-off edit
A play-off match was scheduled to take place between the winners of the 2019–20 East of Scotland Football League and the 2019–20 South of Scotland Football League, subject to both clubs meeting the required licensing criteria for promotion. This was cancelled following the South of Scotland Football League declaring their season null and void. As a result, Bo'ness United were promoted subject to SFA approval.[11]
References edit
- ^ a b "Top Goalscorers". SLFL. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
- ^ "Match Attendance: 1510". Twitter. Kelty Hearts FC. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ "Coronavirus – Joint Response Group Update 13 March". Scottish FA. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Kelty Hearts named champions as Lowland League called early". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ "Stuart Malcolm appointed new Forfar Athletic manager". BBC Sport. BBC. 10 November 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
- ^ Reeves, Thomas (1 December 2019). "Chris Humphrey sacked as Gretna 2008 manager". News and Star. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ "Rowan Alexander: Former Gretna manager back in charge at Raydale Park". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
- ^ a b Atkinson, Mark (13 April 2020). "Lowland League ends season and crowns Kelty Hearts champions - with Bonnyrigg Rose left high and dry". Edinburgh Evening News. JPIMedia. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
Kelty, therefore, finish top with a score of 2.72 points, Bonnyrigg second with 2.58 points and BSC Glasgow third with 2.31 points.
- ^ Oliver, David (14 April 2020). "Lowland League fourth for third-placed East Stirlingshire". Falkirk Herald. JPIMedia. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ^ Scottish Lowland League [@OfficialSLFL] (20 March 2020). "We can confirm that the Lowland League Cup will not run for the 2019/20 season. Last years winners @BSCGlasgow #AffordableFootball" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Bo'ness United on verge of promotion". Scottish Lowland Football League. 16 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.