2021–22 Lowland Football League
Football league season
| Season | 2021–22 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 17 July 2021 – 10 May 2022 |
| Champions | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic |
| Promoted | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic |
| Relegated | Vale of Leithen |
| Matches played | 306 |
| Goals scored | 1,133 (3.7 per match) |
| Biggest home win | Berwick Rangers 11–0 Vale of Leithen (9 October 2021) |
| Biggest away win | Vale of Leithen 0–13 Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic (6 October 2021) |
| Highest scoring | Vale of Leithen 0–13 Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic (6 October 2021) |
| Longest winning run | 11 matches: Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic |
| Longest unbeaten run | 18 matches: Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic |
| Longest winless run | 21 matches: Vale of Leithen |
| Longest losing run | 16 matches: Vale of Leithen |
| Highest attendance | 942[1] Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic 2–5 Rangers B (11 September 2021) |
← 2020–21 2022–23 → All statistics correct as of 10 May 2022. | |
The 2021–22 Scottish Lowland Football League was the 9th season of the Lowland Football League, part of the fifth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system. Kelty Hearts were the reigning champions but were unable to defend their title after gaining promotion to Scottish League Two.
Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic won their first league title on 1 March 2022 thanks to a 5–0 win over Cumbernauld Colts at New Dundas Park, with five matches still to play. They faced the winners of the 2021–22 Highland Football League (Fraserburgh) in the Pyramid play-off, winning 3–2 on aggregate. Bonnyrigg Rose then defeated Cowdenbeath 4–0 on aggregate in the League Two play-off final to gain promotion to Scottish League Two.
Teams
Broomhill
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Location of teams in 2021–22 Scottish Lowland Football LeagueCeltic and Rangers were approached by the Lowland League for a proposal to admit "B" teams into the league for the 2021–22 season.[2] The proposal was given provisional approval by the majority of member clubs, with the vote being confirmed at the league's AGM on 27 May 2021.[3][4][5]
BSC Glasgow changed their name to Broomhill in July 2021.[6]
The following teams changed division after the 2020–21 season.
From Lowland League
Promoted to League Two
To Lowland League
Stadia and locations
- Notes
- ^ Broomhill are ground-sharing with Alloa Athletic due to the lack of a suitable venue in Glasgow.
- ^ Celtic B are ground-sharing with Airdrieonians.
- ^ East Stirlingshire are ground-sharing with Falkirk.
- ^ Rangers B are ground-sharing with Dumbarton.
- ^ University of Stirling are ground-sharing with Stirling Albion.
All grounds are equipped with floodlights.
Personnel and kits
| Team | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berwick Rangers |  Stuart Malcolm | Jamie Pyper | Kappa | Thrive Learning |
| Bo'ness United | Max Christie | Stuart Hunter | Puma | Express Taxis |
| Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | Robbie Horn | Jonathan Stewart | Puma | G. Fitzsimmons and Son |
| Broomhill | David Gormley | Ryan Sinnamon | Joma | Nicholson Accountancy |
| Caledonian Braves | Ricky Waddell | Ross Lindsay | Macron | Play |
| Celtic B | Tommy McIntyre |  Bosun Lawal | Adidas | Dafabet |
| Civil Service Strollers | Gary Jardine | Mark McConnell | Joma | Pilton Community Health Project |
| Cumbernauld Colts | James Orr | Stephen O'Neill | Puma | Broden's Bar and Kitchen |
| Dalbeattie Star | Chris Jardine | Lee Wells | Adidas | Solway Plant Hire |
| East Kilbride | Kevin Rutkiewicz | Chris Millar | Joma | Document Solutions |
| East Stirlingshire | Derek Ure | Kieran Gibbons | EV2 Sportswear | EV2SPORTSWEAR.COM |
| Edinburgh University | Dorian Ogunro | Matthew Dick | PlayerLayer | TWEDEX |
| Gala Fairydean Rovers | Jimmy Scott | Gareth Rodger | Adidas | Five Star Taxis |
| Gretna 2008 |  Stephen Hatfield | Joma | CLARKE ePos (UK) Ltd | |
| Rangers B | David McCallum | Kyle McClelland | Castore | Carrick Packaging |
| The Spartans | Douglas Samuel | Ian McFarland | Macron | Arthur McKay |
| Stirling University | Chris Geddes | James Berry | VSN | Mackay Clinic |
| Vale of Leithen | Michael Wilson | Michael Robertson | Adidas | BARC Travel |
Managerial changes
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vale of Leithen | Chris Anderson | Resigned | 8 August 2021[7] | 18th | Alec Munro | 14 August 2021 |
| East Kilbride | Stephen Aitken | Resigned | 10 August 2021[8] | 16th | Chris Aitken | 10 August 2021 |
| Gretna 2008 | Rowan Alexander | Sacked | 2 September 2021[9] | 15th | Stephen Hatfield | 6 October 2021 |
| Vale of Leithen | Alec Munro | Stepped down | 17 October 2021 | 18th | Grant Sandison | 17 October 2021 |
| Gala Fairydean Rovers | Neil Hastings | Left club | 9 January 2022 | 9th | Jimmy Scott | 9 January 2022 |
| Vale of Leithen | Grant Sandison | Stepped down | 5 March 2022 | 18th | Michael Wilson | 9 March 2022 |
| Dalbeattie Star | Ritchie Maxwell | Stepped down | 18 March 2022 | 10th | Chris Jardine | 18 March 2022 |
League summary
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic (C, O, P) | 34 | 28 | 3 | 3 | 92 | 28 | +64 | 87 | Qualification for the Pyramid play-off |
| 2 | Rangers B | 34 | 24 | 1 | 9 | 105 | 42 | +63 | 73 | Ineligible for promotion or relegation |
| 3 | Celtic B | 34 | 23 | 4 | 7 | 82 | 30 | +52 | 73 | |
| 4 | East Kilbride | 34 | 22 | 5 | 7 | 92 | 40 | +52 | 71 | |
| 5 | The Spartans | 34 | 20 | 6 | 8 | 69 | 45 | +24 | 66 | |
| 6 | East Stirlingshire | 34 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 61 | 36 | +25 | 56 | |
| 7 | Civil Service Strollers | 34 | 17 | 5 | 12 | 66 | 53 | +13 | 56 | |
| 8 | Berwick Rangers | 34 | 17 | 3 | 14 | 75 | 46 | +29 | 54 | |
| 9 | Caledonian Braves | 34 | 15 | 8 | 11 | 69 | 48 | +21 | 53 | |
| 10 | University of Stirling | 34 | 13 | 6 | 15 | 66 | 68 | −2 | 45 | |
| 11 | Bo'ness United | 34 | 13 | 6 | 15 | 54 | 60 | −6 | 45 | |
| 12 | Dalbeattie Star | 34 | 14 | 1 | 19 | 53 | 65 | −12 | 43 | |
| 13 | Gala Fairydean Rovers | 34 | 11 | 4 | 19 | 54 | 66 | −12 | 37 | |
| 14 | Cumbernauld Colts | 34 | 10 | 5 | 19 | 53 | 73 | −20 | 35 | |
| 15 | Broomhill | 34 | 10 | 4 | 20 | 42 | 66 | −24 | 34 | |
| 16 | Edinburgh University | 34 | 8 | 7 | 19 | 54 | 92 | −38 | 31 | |
| 17 | Gretna 2008 | 34 | 2 | 5 | 27 | 36 | 109 | −73 | 11 | |
| 18 | Vale of Leithen (R) | 34 | 1 | 2 | 31 | 10 | 166 | −156 | 5 | Relegation to the East of Scotland League |
Source: [10][11][12]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Positions by round
Source: [12]
Results
| Home \ Away | BER | BNS | BON | BRO | CAL | CEL | CSS | CUM | DAL | EKB | EAS | EDU | GFR | GRE | RAN | SPA | STI | VOL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berwick Rangers | 0–1 | 1–4 | 3–0 | 1–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 5–1 | 1–0 | 2–3 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 1–6 | 0–0 | 5–0 | 11–0 | |
| Bo'ness United | 1–4 | 1–2 | 1–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 0–6 | 3–3 | 0–0 | 2–2 | 5–1 | 1–0 | 2–3 | 2–3 | 0–1 | |
| Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 3–0 | 5–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 7–0 | 2–0 | 6–2 | 2–5 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | |
| Broomhill | 1–2 | 1–2 | 0–1 | 1–2 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 0–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 3–0 | |
| Caledonian Braves | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 3–0 | 2–3 | 1–2 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 0–7 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–1 | 4–0 | |
| Celtic B | 2–0 | 4–1 | 1–2 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–0 | 1–1 | 0–1 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–0 | 0–1[a] | 0–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | |
| Civil Service Strollers | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 0–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 7–1 | |
| Cumbernauld Colts | 1–0 | 4–1 | 0–0 | 1–2 | 1–4 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–4 | 0–3 | 0–0 | 4–3 | 2–3 | 4–4 | 2–3 | 0–1 | 1–6 | 4–0 | |
| Dalbeattie Star | 1–2 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 3–2 | 0–2 | 2–4 | 1–0 | 3–1 | 1–4 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 4–0 | |
| East Kilbride | 1–1 | 1–0 | 0–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 0–1 | 0–2 | 3–0 | 2–1 | 2–3 | 3–1 | 3–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–0 | |
| East Stirlingshire | 2–1 | 2–2 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 4–5 | 2–0 | 0–1 | 4–2 | 0–1 | 0–0 | 1–1 | 1–0 | |
| Edinburgh University | 1–4 | 1–6 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–6 | 1–2 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 4–4 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–0 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 4–4 | 3–0 | |
| Gala Fairydean Rovers | 2–1 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 5–1 | 1–2 | 2–3 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 2–5 | 0–3 | 0–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 2–1 | |
| Gretna 2008 | 0–3 | 0–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 0–6 | 3–3 | 3–4 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–7 | 2–2[b] | 0–4 | 0–3 | 1–5 | 1–4 | 1–4 | 1–1 | |
| Rangers B | 1–0 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 5–1 | 3–1 | 3–0[c] | 1–3 | 1–4 | 4–3 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 8–2 | 5–2 | 9–1 | 7–1 | 5–0 | 9–0 | |
| The Spartans | 2–1 | 0–1 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 4–2 | 1–0 | 5–2 | 0–3 | 2–3 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 8–0 | |
| University of Stirling | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–1 | 2–3 | 0–4 | 1–5 | 1–2 | 0–0 | 7–0 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 3–2[d] | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 5–0 | |
| Vale of Leithen | 0–9 | 0–7 | 0–13 | 0–1 | 0–5 | 0–10 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–7 | 1–7 | 0–5 | 0–8 | 0–2 | 0–6 | 1–2 | 3–6 |
- ^ Match played at Celtic Park.[13]
- ^ Match played at Galabank, Annan.[14]
- ^ Match played at Ibrox Stadium.[15]
- ^ Match played at Ainslie Park, Edinburgh.[16]
Lowland League play-off
A three-match round robin play-off took place between the winners of the 2021–22 East of Scotland Football League (Tranent Juniors), the 2021–22 South of Scotland Football League (St Cuthbert Wanderers), and the 2021–22 West of Scotland Football League (Darvel).[18]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tranent Juniors (P) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 6 | Promotion to the Lowland League |
| 2 | Darvel | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| 3 | St Cuthbert Wanderers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 | −9 | 0 |
Source: East of Scotland League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Result of head-to-head match; 5) Away goals scored; 6) League record points per game[18]
(P) Promoted
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Result of head-to-head match; 5) Away goals scored; 6) League record points per game[18]
(P) Promoted
Tranent Juniors v St Cuthbert Wanderers
| 22 May 2022 | Tranent Juniors | 7–0 | St Cuthbert Wanderers | Tranent |
| 15:00 |  26', 44', 65' 41' 48' 80', 86' | [19] | Stadium: Foresters Park Attendance: 550[20] Referee: Daniel Graves |
St Cuthbert Wanderers v Darvel
| 25 May 2022 | St Cuthbert Wanderers | 1–3 | Darvel | Kirkcudbright |
| 20:00 | Williamson 68' (pen.) |
| Stadium: St Mary's Park Attendance: 291[20] Referee: Alastair Grieve |
Darvel v Tranent Juniors
| 28 May 2022 | Darvel | 0–2 | Tranent Juniors | Darvel |
| 14:00 | [21] |
| Stadium: Recreation Park Attendance: 1,880[20] Referee: George Calder |
References
- ^ Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic [@BonnyriggRose] (11 September 2021). "Thanks once again to the 942 people that attended today's game, and for the immaculate order observed by both sets of supporters throughout. Decent send off by the shed as well when the players were walking off. Much appreciated 🙌🌹" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 September 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Discussions to invite Rangers and Celtic 'B' teams". Scottish Lowland League. 5 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ "Lowland sides 'approve' Old Firm colts". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ "Rangers and Celtic 'B' admitted into Lowland League". Scottish Lowland League. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ Pirie, Mark (27 May 2021). "Rangers and Celtic B teams Lowland League entry rubber stamped". Daily Record. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ "A New Beginning – Broomhill FC". Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ Vale of Leithen FC [@ValeLeithen] (8 August 2021). "MANAGER DEPARTURE - After six years at the club, manager Chris Anderson has stepped down. We would like to thank him for his efforts and wish him well for the future" (Tweet). Retrieved 8 August 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ McGilvray, Andy (10 August 2021). "Stevie Aitken leaves East Kilbride manager's job". Daily Record. Reach plc. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
- ^ Gretna FC 2008 [@GretnaFC2008] (2 September 2021). "CLUB STATEMENT Good afternoon everyone, With immediate effect Rowan Alexander has been relieved of his duty as manager of Gretna 2008 FC. As a club we would like to wish him well for the future. Chair" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 September 2021 – via Twitter.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Lowland League Table". BBC. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ^ "Lowland League Standings". Scottish Lowland Football League. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ^ a b c "Summary - Football League". Soccerway. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ^ Young, Graeme (12 April 2022). "Celtic 0 Rangers 1 LIVE reaction as the visitors seal bragging rights with second win in a month". Daily Record. Reach plc. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- ^ "Gretna FC 2008 2-2 East Stirlingshire FC". Gretna F.C. 2008. Gretna FC 2008 Limited. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
- ^ Banks, Ben (19 March 2022). "Rangers destroy Celtic in record-breaking Ibrox match as starlet scores screamer". Daily Record. Reach plc. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ Scottish Lowland League [@OfficialSLFL] (30 December 2021). "VENUE CHANGE | Saturday's league match between @StirlingUniFC and @EdinburghUniAFC will now take place at Ainslie Park at 3pm" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 January 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Fixtures & Results". Scottish Lowland Football League. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ^ a b "LOWER PYRAMID PLAY - OFF COMPETITION RULES" (PDF). SLFL.co.uk. Lowland Football League. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 April 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
- ^ "Tranent JFC 7–0 St Cuthbert Wanderers". Tranent Juniors F.C. 22 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
- ^ a b c Kelly, Ryan [@RyanMusselburgh] (30 May 2022). "Following the completion of the @EastScotlandFA Premier Division on Saturday, here is the complete attendance table for all 309 (inc P/O) matches" (Tweet). Retrieved 31 May 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Darvel FC 0–2 Tranent JFC". Tranent Juniors F.C. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
External links
- Official website
