Lowlands Development League confirms 2021/22 conference setup

The Lowlands Development League has confirmed their playing format for 2021/22. The league was set to welcome a record number of clubs in 2020/21 and although that season never saw kick-off, that number has increased yet again, with 88 clubs set to contest 2021/22.

This year, there will be six parallel conferences, which will all have their own individual champion. The setup aligns the U20 teams to their senior counterparts. Conference A comprises of primarily Lowland League teams, joined by East Fife, Edinburgh City and Kelty Hearts of the SPFL. Conferences B and C comprise of East of Scotland League clubs, whereas D, E and F feature West of Scotland FA clubs.

The league are also currently seeking approval from the Scottish FA, to allow players born 2001 to participate this year. In normality, this group of players would have just kicked their last ball at the age group. However, the league hopes this temporary rule change will avoid hundreds of young players missing out on their final U20 season due to Covid-19.

The conferences are as follows:

Conference A (14 teams)
Bonnyrigg Rose
Bonnyton Thistle
BSC Glasgow
Caledonian Braves
Civil Service Strollers
Cumbernauld Colts
East Fife
East Kilbride
Edinburgh City
Gala Fairydean Rovers
Kelty Hearts
Spartans
Stirling Albion
University of Stirling

Conference B (14 teams)
Armadale
Camelon
Edinburgh College
Edinburgh South
Edinburgh United
Edinburgh University
Glenrothes
Heriot Watt University
Kennoway Hearts
Musselburgh Athletic
Penicuik Athletic
Preston Athletic
Sauchie
Whitehill Welfare

Conference C (15 teams)
Blackburn United
Craigroyston
Dalkeith Thistle
Dunipace
Fauldhouse United
Hill of Beath Hawthorn
Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts
Jeanfield Swifts
Leith Athletic
Livingston United
Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale
Newtongrange Star
Oakley United
Tynecastle
West Calder United

Conference D (16 Teams)
Bellshill
Blantyre Victoria
Cambuslang Rangers
Carluke Rovers
East Kilbride Thistle
Forth Wanderers
Gartcairn
Glasgow United
Glenvale
Harthill Royal
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy
Mid Annandale
Petershill
Shotts Bon Accord
St Peters
St Roch’s

Conference E (14 Teams)
Ashfield
Benburb
BSC Glasgow (WOSL)
Clydebank
Drumchapel United
Johnstone Burgh
Maryhill
Pollok
Renfrew
Rossvale
St Anthonys
St Cadocs
Vale of Leven
Yoker Athletic

Conference F ( 15 Teams)
Ardeer Thistle
Ardrossan Winto Rovers
Arthurlie
Auchinleck Talbot
Beith
Cumnock
Darvel
Irvine Meadow
Kilwinning Rangers
Largs Thistle
Maybole
Neilston
Port Glasgow
Troon
Whittlets Victoria