By Michael Park

Decision Taken To End Lowland League Season

Following discussions between the Scottish FA, Lowland League and its member clubs the decision has been taken to end the Scottish Lowland League season.

Naturally everyone connected with the club is disappointed but when the suspension was announced in January, you could see that the writing was on the wall for the season as with every passing week it became clearer that it would be difficult to complete the season in a satisfactory way.

The decision has been made to end this season on a Points Per Game basis with the assigned winner being sent through to the SPFL Playoffs. Kelty Hearts are the club who will represent us in those playoffs and we wish them all the best and hope to see them in League 2 come 2021/22.

As for us, we’ll be back in the summer, stronger than ever with every intention of fighting for that top spot in the Lowland League when the new season kicks off on 17th July 2021.

In the meantime, stay safe, wear your mask, get vaccinated when you get the chance. We’ll see you soon.

Part of the weekend never dies.

By Michael Park

BSC Glasgow Matches To Stream FREE On Twitch

BSC Glasgow FC are delighted to announce that we have expanded the partnership with our Ambassador Derek Robertson (AKA Mozza Plays) to bring you FREE live streams of our Lowland League matches through Mozza’s Twitch channel.

Mozza will be presenting coverage, alongside our Matchday Media team, Martin Fleming on “co-comms” and Cammy Richardson behind the camera, bringing his inimitable streaming style to the real world as we take to the field for 2020/21.

The stream will be a much more casual and interactive affair than what you might expect from a live match. Mozza’s style is conversational and informal and it’s what he’s brought to Twitch since he started streaming, and it’s why we love him.

Think of it as watching a football match with a pal who actually knows what they’re talking about.

BSC Glasgow FC General Manager George Fraser said: “We’ve been looking for an innovative and engaging way to offer supporters and fans beyond our borders a chance to see us in action next season and we’re really pleased that Mozza is going to be working with us to bring a unique kind of coverage to the Lowland League.”

Derek AKA Mozza Plays told us: “I’m delighted to bring live BSC games to Twitch, allowing people to watch us wherever they are in the world. This is a bold step for a club of our stature and I expect others to follow suit in future.”

We’re ironing out the exact details with our fellow clubs in the league but at the moment we can guarantee that we’ll be streaming our home matches and aiming to offer as many away games as we possibly can.

You can join us on twitch.tv/mozzaplays for our first match of 2020/21 as we take on Dalbeattie Star at the Indodrill Stadium on 10th October.

By Michael Park

Lowland League Fixtures

The long wait is over! The fixtures for the 2020/21 Lowland League season have been released.

BSC Glasgow kick off their season on 10th October as we welcome Dalbeattie Star to The Indodrill Stadium. From there it’s a quick jump into three away games in eleven days as we look to complete a full season in a Covid-truncated calendar.

Two double-headers, the first against Caledonian Braves and the second against Kelty Hearts punctuate December and January while we close out the season against Spartans at Ainslie Park on 17th April.

The full fixture list is available below:

Dalbeattie Star
10th October (H)

Civil Service Strollers
13th October (A)

Vale Of Leithen
17th October (A)

Gretna 2008
24th October (A)

Cumbernauld Colts
28th October (H)

Berwick Rangers
31st October (H)

The Spartans
6th November (H)

Bo’ness United
11th November (A)

Gala Fairydean Rovers
14th November (A)

East Stirlingshire
25th November (H)

Edinburgh University
28th November (H)

University Of Stirling
12th December (H)

Bonnyrigg Rose
19th December (A)

Caledonian Braves
26th December (A)

Caledonian Braves
1st January (H)

East Kilbride
4th January (A)

Kelty Hearts
9th January (h)

Kelty Hearts
16th January (A)

Edinburgh University
23rd January (A)

Vale Of Leithen
30th January (H)

Civil Service Strollers
10th February (H)

University Of Stirling
13th February (A)

Gala Fairydean Rovers
20th February (H)

Cumbernauld Colts
24th February (A)

East Kilbride
27th February (H)

Bo’ness United
10th March (H)

Dalbeattie Star
20th March (A)

East Stirlingshire
24th March (A)

Berwick Rangers
27th March (A)

Gretna 2008
3rd April (H)

Bonnyrigg Rose
10th April (H)

The Spartans
17th April (A)

You can download our fixtures to your calendar by clicking on your device on our Fixtures page!

By Michael Park

BSC Glasgow FC 2020/21 Squad Numbers

Ahead of the 2020/21 season, BSC Glasgow FC are pleased to announce our squad numbers.

1 Ryan Marshall
2 Jamie McCormack
3 Jamie Mills
5 Ross Smith (C)
6 Andy Geggan
7 Jamie Hamilton
8 Declan Hughes
9 Ryan Tierney
10 Michael Anderson
11 Alfie Agyeman
12 Ross Lindsay
14 Jamie Ballantyne
15 Declan Fitzpatrick
16 Conor McBrearty
17 Arran Ross
18 Ben Reilly
19 Zander Easdale
20 Ross Lyon
21 Stephen Barr
23 Cammy MacNair
24 Ayden Nicol

Replica kit will be available through our first team online shop brought to you by The Football Nation – so make sure you order your favourite player’s number!

For those who have read this far and are into kit news… we will be playing in our Nicolson Accountancy sponsored 2019/20 home shirt which was introduced in our Fifth Round Scottish Cup tie with Hibernian last season, and will be launching a new Joma change kit in due course.

By BSC Glasgow

Breaking Venue News

Glasgow Life and School Letting have confirmed that their outdoor pitches will open from Monday 24th August. We are still getting guidance notes on how these will operate. We intend to issue these before any training takes place.

The indoor groups (P1,2&3) will be outside at Hyndland too. Halls are due to open on the 14th September.

By BSC Glasgow

Answers from the Board (The Board of the SYFA) – Week 6

View this week’s Answers from the Board following last week’s hiatus.  These address questions we received off the back of announcements made last week and the topic of registrations. View online as a PDF or you can read it all below.

The update from the grassroots group states that it will be October until competitive games will return at grassroots level, but the First Minister stated contact sports could resume in August. Can you please clarify?

The Scottish Government has provided the following detail in relation to the indicative date for the resumption of contact sports:

‘Contact sports (outdoors) – all ages- following the guidance of relevant sports bodies.’

The activities permitted from 24th August will come with boundaries, guidelines and protocols which must be followed, as was the case when 13th July was announced as the date on which children and young people could resume training.

The staged approach which was announced by the grassroots sub-group on Wednesday is being worked on in conjunction with the Scottish Government and SportScotland. Every decision made is in line with government guidance, and the timeline given in terms of the resumption of competitive matches in October is dependent on continued positive progress being made against the virus in Scotland.

The group is currently working on updated guidelines which will apply from the 24th August and hopes to provide a further update in the coming days. However, we would advise all members that they should not expect a return to matches, including friendlies, at this time.

How can we thank James Anderson and the Scottish Football Partnership Trust for the generous donation to youth football?

We’ve had lots of people asking how best to pass on their thanks so we’re more than happy to collate all the messages of thanks and pass them on to Mr Anderson and the Scottish Football Partnership Trust (SFP Trust). Just send them over to syfaboard@scottish-football.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can also contact the SFP Trust using the email address on their website (admin@thescottishfootballpartnership.com) or message them on Twitter @SFP_Football.

Following the announcement regarding Mr Anderson’s donation, can teams who have already paid for the upcoming 11 v 11 season apply for a refund?

As advised within the Chairman’s announcement, 11-a-side teams will have their membership covered for the 2021/2022 season. So it’ll be in next year’s affiliation window that 11-a-side teams get their membership free of charge.

Can you provide current guidelines on how teams should register players?

The Board made the decision to temporarily amend the registration process from 31st July 2020, until it safe to resume obtaining signatures as normal. The new process is as follows:

  • Teams may add players to a registration form via SFA Live, provided they have the written consent from the player’s
    parent/carer to do so
  • Written consent can be provided via email, text message or any other electronic messaging from a verified account
  • The parent/carer must provide consent along with confirmation that the child or young person would like to be
    registered with the team
  • Once the summary sheet has been printed, two officials must then sign the bottom section of the sheet, ensuring to
    practice strict physical distancing at all times
  • By signing the form, these officials are confirming that they have permissions to register the player (s) listed on the
    form
  • Registration forms must then be scanned and emailed to syfareg@scottish-football.com
  • All emails must confirm that they have received written consent as described above from each player’s parent/carer
  • SYFA will be conducting spot checks and may ask teams to provide copies of this written consent
  • Officials should securely store registration forms in order to obtain signatures when it is safe to do so
  • A clear line should be scored through the names of any players added in error

    Your patience is appreciated at this time and we would ask allow 5 working days for forms to be processed. Any forms emailed to us prior today, 31st July, should be resubmitted. Please remember to use the new email address when sending in forms: syfareg@scottish-football.com
By Michael Park

Stephen Swift On BSC’s New Boys

With six new faces at BSC Glasgow FC (so far!) for 2020/21, we took a minute to ask Swifty about what he expects from our new faces while we also pulled Match Reporter Martin out of his Quarantine-Cupboard to put together a wee fact file on each player.

Alfie Agyeman

Position: Forward
Signed from: Queen’s Park
Former Clubs: Motherwell, East Kilbride (Loan)
Age: 20

Profile: The forward who made 14 appearances for Queens Park in League Two last season came through the Motherwell youth system and already has Lowland league experience after a loan move from Motherwell to East Kilbride a couple of seasons ago.

Swifty: “Alfredo Agyeman is young and hungry and wants to make a name for himself at BSC. His pace is electric – we can’t wait to see him tearing it up in a BSC shirt!”

Arran Ross

Position: Defender
Signed from: Airdrieonians
Age: 20

Profile: Young Centre Back Arran Ross came from Airdrieonians after being captain of their Reserve side last season. After 3 years at the Excelsior Stadium, Ross makes the move to Lowland League football providing options for Stephen Swift in the heart of the defence.

Swifty: “Arran is a young player with a lot of potential. He reads the game very well and he’s got that aggressive streak too. I think he will fit in really nicely.”

Conor McBrearty

Position: Midfielder
Signed from: St. Mirren
Former Clubs: Stenhousemuir (Loan)
Age: 19

Profile: Conor McBrearty makes the move from St Mirren Reserves after two loan spells with Stenhousemuir. He made eight appearances for the Warriors, grabbing two assists.

Swifty: “Conor will come in and add to our physicality in midfield. I’m expecting big things from the young man.”

Declan Fitzpatrick

Position: Defender
Signed from: Clyde
Former Clubs: Clydebank, Tulsa Athletics
Age: 25

Profile: 25 year old Declan Fitzpatrick joins from Clyde and, although he played up front a couple of times for Danny Lennon’s side, will not be replacing the departing Thomas Orr.

Fitzpatrick started his footballing career in the US with Rogers State before moving to Tulsa Athletics. Declan will be a welcome addition to BSC Glasgow after Jordan Marshall moved onto Petershill at the end of the season.

Swifty: “Declan’s a calm, composed centre back that has had a bit of bad luck with injuries but I think he could be a brilliant signing for us and just what we need to give us another great option in defence.”

Jamie Ballantyne

Position: Defender
Signed from: Annan Athletic
Former Clubs: Ayr United, Benburb, Cumnock (Loan)
Age: 22

Profile: Left back Jamie Ballantyne made 31 appearances in all competitions for Annan Athletic last season and will compete with Jamie Mills for a role on the left side of the defence.

Swifty: “Jamie is someone we’ve known about for a while from when he was with Benburb. He will give us balance in defence and has picked up valuable experience at Annan.”

Ryan Tierney

Position: Forward
Signed from: Dumbarton
Former Clubs: Caledonian Braves, Hamilton Academical, Airdrieonians
Age: 22

Profile: The striker makes his way to BSC Glasgow after making 14 appearances for Dumbarton last season. Prior to that, Tierney came through the Hamilton Academical youth system and knows Lowland League football after a spell at Caledonian Braves.

The 22 year old enjoyed League One football after making the move from Braves to Dumbarton last season and will be hoping to kick on under Swifty’s guidance.

Swifty: “Ryan is a young, intelligent player and I’m expecting him to be a big hit it at BSC after his spell at Dumbarton.”

The following players will be back for more next season after signing new deals with BSC Glasgow: Stephen Barr, Jamie Hamilton, Declan Hughes, Ross Lindsay, Ryan Marshall, Michael Anderson, Jamie McCormack, Jamie Mills, Ross Smith, Cammy MacNair (from Development Squad), Ayden Nicol (from Development Squad)

By BSC Glasgow

Permitted Grassroots Football Activity

These guidelines apply to Scotland only, and have been produced in line with the government guidance on public spaces, outdoor activity and exercise published on 18 June 2020, which can be viewed at: Scottish Government: Exercise & Activity Guidance

On the 21 May 2020, the Scottish Government published Scotland’s COVID-19 route map through and out of the crisis, which sets out the order in which it plans to relax restrictions. Based on our discussions with Scottish Government/sportscotland and following the easing of lockdown restrictions, the Scottish FA has developed a set of practical guidelines for clubs and participants to follow so that football activity can happen in Scotland during lockdown, where the local environment allows.

These guidelines apply so that football can happen in a way that is in line with Scottish Government advice and helps to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). In addition to the updated information on permitted activity during phase two the Scottish FA will begin to work with and support clubs and groups on ‘Planning and Preparing’ for phase three of the Scottish Government Route Map, when we expect facilities to start to open. This will include providing more detailed resources, templates and advice around what clubs can plan for and how to plan for it. Any planning will be predicated on what restrictions are lifted in phase three and in line with timelines set out by the Scottish Government.

In line with the Scottish Government Guidelines updated on 18 June, the Scottish FA continue to encourage only informal football activity to take place as follows:

  • Playing football individually e.g. practice of individual skills or fitness activities.
  • Playing football with your family or other people living in your household.
  • Football activity with up to a maximum of 8 individuals from three households; physical distancing and hygiene guidelines must be followed while undertaking all forms of physical activity.
  • Coaching an adult player (over the age of 18) one to one; physical distancing and hygiene guidelines must be followed while undertaking all forms of physical activity.
  • Football activity involving children should continue to follow all child wellbeing guidelines.

All football activities with children must be planned to involve a minimum of two adults in line with Scottish Football’s Child Wellbeing and Protection Policy.

Under the Scottish Government’s route map and in line with Scottish Football’s Child Wellbeing and Protection Policy, the following must be adhered to when any football activity is undertaken with children:

  • All coaches/staff/volunteers involved in any activity must have undertaken ‘safe’ recruitment procedure and have went through the PVG membership scheme via the relevant National Affiliated Association.
  • Coaches/staff/volunteers involved in any football activity can only coach within their own club setting with players registered to that organisation.
  • All coaches/staff/volunteers undertake relevant training and agree to a Code of Conduct.
  • All activities must be fully risk assessed in advance with the relevant club insurance in place.
  • The activity should take place outdoors, for example in a large garden or public park.
  • Physical distancing (of 2m) between the three households must be adhered to .
  • The adult from the child’s household must have designated responsibility for any first aid the child requires.

Health & Hygiene

  • If you need to sneeze or cough, do so into a tissue or upper sleeve. Dispose of your tissue into an appropriate bin supplied at the venue or place in a plastic bag and take home. Wash your hands afterwards for 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your face and ensure to clean your hands with at least 60% alcohol gel when you finish participating.
  • People who are symptomatic should self-isolate for 7 days and household members for 14 days as per NHS guidance. No one who is self-isolating should attend an outdoor sports facility/activity.
  • IMPORTANT: Do not leave your home to undertake exercise or outdoor activity if Scottish Government advice means you should stay at home because you or someone you live with has or has had symptoms of COVID-19.
  • People who are shielding are permitted to undertake activities providing strict physical distancing is adhered to.

Before Participating

  • Travel restrictions outlined by the Scottish Government should always be adhered to. Further information is available at; Travel & Meeting Others Outdoors.
  • At all times, participants should adhere to the Scottish Government’s physical distancing guidelines of staying at least 2m away from others.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before leaving home to go to the facility/venue (or use an alcohol gel if washing hands is not possible). Information on hand hygiene is available at: Health Protection Scotland: Hand hygiene techniques.
  • Be aware guidance can change and restrictions may be reintroduced – ensure you have checked the latest version of guidelines on the Scottish FA website’s Return To Football Hub.

Personal Equipment

  • Where possible take your own equipment with you and do not share equipment such as footballs, water bottles, cones, bibs etc.
  • Only take the minimum amount of equipment that you need to participate.
  • Clean and wipe down your equipment, including water bottles before and after use.
  • Bring a full water bottle, and do not share food or drink with others.
  • Ensure you take all personal belongings and equipment with you at the end of the activity and do not leave anything at the venue/facility.
  • Hand sanitiser should be at least 60% alcohol based and detergent wipes appropriate for the surface they are being used on.  Cleaning products should conform to EN14476 standards. Note: In basic language EN14476 is Milton.

During Participation

Participation Limits

  • A maximum of 8 individuals from three households can take part in activity together. Scottish Government guidance on physical distancing and maximum numbers of households must be adhered to at all time.
  • Always stay at least two metres away from other participants including during participation, when taking breaks and before and after participation.
  • Do not make physical contact with other participants (such as shaking hands or high five).
  • Do not congregate with others and adhere to physical distancing rules. No extra-curricular or social activity should take place

Competitions

  • The focus during phase two is on continuing to encourage informal football activity as set out previously as well as ‘Planning and Preparing’ for phase three and any guidelines that will be updated by the Scottish Government. At this time due to physical distancing measures matches are not permitted.

Facilities

  • Clubs and participants should be aware that the easing of restrictions does not mean that all facilities/venues will open immediately. Owners and operators will require time to consider all the implications of opening facilities/venues and put plans in place to re-engage staff and to set up operations that ensure the sa