Ladbrokes League One – 2019/20 Season

Following the culmination of the Play-Off fixtures at our level over the weekend, the makeup of the Ladbrokes League 1 for next term is now ‘cast in stone.’

Airdrieonians
Clyde
Dumbarton
East Fife
Falkirk
Forfar Athletic
Montrose
Peterhead
Raith Rovers
Stranraer

If anything the league looks like it could be even more competitive than ever.  

There will be three new opponents from the last term with relegated Falkirk already the bookies' favourites for an immediate return to the Championship

One thing is for certain as well.   Promoted Peterhead and Clyde will be no slouches.

After being spoiled with twelve local derbies guaranteed in the 2018/19 campaign, the first time for 25 years this had occurred, only Stewart Petrie’s ‘Gable Endies’ remain alongside us for the new season, following Arbroath’s promotion and sadly Brechin’s relegation to League 2.    However short hops over the Tay to Methil and Kirkcaldy are still on the ‘menu.’

Airdrie have announced their intention to introduce a  ‘hybrid system’ a mix of full and part-time players over the summer, while Dumbarton and Stranraer like ourselves will no doubt be keen to improve the depth and quality of their squads for what is sure to be tense, hard fought and intriguing nine month slog commencing on August 3^rd.

Moving down a division it is always sad to see a long-standing member of the league demoted as has been the case with our old friends at Berwick who will not find it easy in a highly competitive Lowland League set-up.

It is, however, a welcome to the SPFL for Cove Rangers who defeated Berwick by an astounding 7-0 over the two legs of the League 2 Play-Off.

Cove who moved into their well-appointed new Balmoral Stadium in July of 2018 and the Athies have a long-standing relationship having met over many years in pre-season jousts, while Forfar officials were delighted to assist them by hosting a quartet of their SPFL cup ties during their ‘homeless’ spell.

One has a feeling that it may not be too long before Aberdeen’s second senior club will be challenging for honours in their new environment.

Congratulations to Chairman Keith Moorhouse and Manager John Sheran who thankfully seems to have made a remarkable recovery from a recent heart scare on their successful campaign.