North Caledonian Football Association
Founded31 January 1888
CountryScotland
Divisions1
Number of teams12
Level on pyramid6
Promotion toHighland Football League
Current championsLoch Ness (1st title)
(2022–23)
Most championshipsClachnacuddin reserves (14 titles)
Websitenorthcaleyfa.co.uk
Current: 2023–24 North Caledonian Football League

The North Caledonian Football Association is a senior football association operating throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and is a recognised body of the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and as such has its senior football competitions officially registered with the SFA.

History

The formation of the Inverness Junior Football Association on 31 January 1888 saw the introduction of the Inverness Junior Cup. After the final in 1888 the association was renamed the North of Scotland Junior Football Association and the competition the North of Scotland Junior Cup.

The Association's league competition was later introduced in 1896 as the "North of Scotland Junior League" with the initial aim of providing a league format for its junior members and predominantly the "2nd XI" teams from senior Highland Football League clubs. Upon its formation these teams mostly came from the Inverness area. By 1906 though, the Association had welcomed several new member teams from outside the Inverness-shire area, specifically Nairn Thistle and Dingwall Victoria United (later re-formed as Ross County) broadening the coverage of the league across the North. Other clubs from across the Highland counties followed suit, with Muir of Ord and Tore United among those to join.

In 1935 the league dropped its junior status, possibly due to the Scottish Junior Football Association's objections to Senior clubs involvement, and became known as the North of Scotland "2nd XI" League (it was also known colloquially as either the Highland Reserve League or Highland Alliance, the latter a nod to the southern reserve league the Scottish Football Alliance). It was recognised as a senior football league with teams eligible to apply for Scottish FA membership. By the late 1960s/early 1970s, the Highland League reserve teams which had dominated the league gradually dropped out of contention, with most finding that it was not financially viable to run "2nd XI" or reserve teams at a senior level. At the same time, the league began to see an influx of senior football teams joining from the surrounding counties of Easter Ross, Caithness and Sutherland.

By the 1980s, the league had representation from teams all across the North, including as far as Fort William. In a bid to shake off the "2nd XI" tag (and the inference of being "second best" to the Highland League) the member clubs in the league took the decision to rename the league at the 1984 annual general meeting of the North of Scotland 2nd XI Football Association in Bonar Bridge, where teams voted unanimously to change the name of the association to the North Caledonian Football Association and the name of the league competition to the North Caledonian Football League.

In 2020, it was announced that the North Caledonian League is working with the Highland League and North Region Junior FA to form a sixth tier of the Scottish football league system for the far north of the country, with a view to feeding eligible clubs via promotion into the Highland League.[1] It was also announced, along with 4 teams being added to the ranks (2 of which are returning sides) that the league would be temporarily split into two divisions.

In April 2021, it was announced that subject to SFA approval, the North Caledonian League would be joined at Tier 6 by the North Super League and a rebranded Midlands League (the remaining Junior East Region clubs that play in Tayside) to form a fully-integrated tier below the Highland League from the 2021-22 season.[2] The leagues at that level entered the Scottish pyramid later in July.[3]

In June 2022, it was announced that the winner of the league, no matter whether they were SFA Licensed or not, would qualify directly to the Scottish Cup preliminary round, starting with Invergordon, who won the 2021-22 season. However, it was also confirmed that if an already SFA Licensed team (Golspie Sutherland and Fort William) or a reserve team (Clachnacuddin and Nairn County) were to win the league, the Scottish Cup spot would not pass down to the highest ranked team that would otherwise be eligible. Invergordon became the first team to qualify for the Scottish Cup via this method, however they were beaten 5–1 in their opening game by Newtongrange Star.

Membership

As well as holding membership of the North Caledonian FA, member clubs are also governed by the constitution of the Scottish Football Association, and as such disciplinary and registration matters are handled by the Scottish Football Association. This is a unique situation in that member clubs are not required to be full members of the Scottish Football Association, despite their players holding senior SFA registrations (professional and amateur).

Golspie Sutherland are the only North Caledonian FA member club to hold full membership of the Scottish Football Association and since season 200708 they have obtained direct entry to the Scottish Cup. Previously, they were required to enter the Scottish Qualifying Cup (North).

Since 2013, membership has been extended beyond the Highlands to senior clubs in the Islands, with Orkney, Shetland and Lewis & Harris all entering teams.

Member teams have previously included reserve teams of Highland Football League clubs alongside teams from throughout the Highlands and Islands region.[4]

Competitions

North Caledonian League

A senior Scottish FA registered competition, the North Caledonian League is an annual league competition which runs from July/August to April, with teams playing each other both home and away with a championship team determined after all games have been played.

Over the years, the North Caledonian League has been characterised by the number of clubs who have used it as a 'stepping-stone' to the professional ranks of Scottish football. Among those to have 'graduated' from the league are Wick Academy and Fort William who left to join the Highland Football League, and much earlier Ross County, who played in the league under their former name of Dingwall Victoria United between 1896 and 1929 before renaming to join the Highland Football League.

The league has also been home in recent years to the reserve teams of Scottish Football League clubs Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County.

Cups

The North Caledonian Cup (also previously referred to as the North of Scotland Reserve Cup or PCT North Cup) was the first competition to be contested under the auspices of the North Caledonian FA during the latter part of the 1887–88 season and it remains part of the season calendar today. Member teams of the North Caledonian FA also compete in the Football Times Cup, which has existed as part of the North Caledonian FA season since the 1920s.

Several other cups have been contested or awarded during the Association's history, each of which are inactive or played for when season time allows:

  • Jock Mackay Memorial Cup
  • Chic Allan/Port Services Cup
  • Morris Newton/SWL Cup
  • Ness Cup (revived as the 'Division 2' trophy for the 202021 season)

Member clubs

Thurso's home ground, Sir George's Park

Member clubs for 202223 season

Team Location Home ground Capacity Ref.
Alness UnitedAlnessDalmore Park [5][6]
Clachnacuddin 'A' Inverness Grant Street Park 3,000
Bonar BridgeBonar BridgeMigdale Playing Fields [7]
Fort WilliamFort William Claggan Park1,800
Golspie SutherlandGolspieKing George V Park 1,000 [8]
Halkirk UnitedHalkirkMorrison Park 1,000 [9]
InvergordonInvergordonRecreation Grounds [10]
Inverness AthleticNorth KessockFerry Brae Park [11]
Loch Ness Fortrose King George V Park [12]
Nairn County 'A' Nairn Nairn Academy [13]
OrkneyKirkwallKGS Sports Centre [14]
St DuthusTainGrant Park [15]
ThursoThursoSir George's Park 1,000[16] [17]


Location of teams in 2022–23 North Caledonian Football League

Recent history

The 2008–09 season saw the league reduced to ten teams following the withdrawal of Dornoch City and Inverness City joining the Junior leagues. Late applicants Tain Thistle took the league membership up to ten teams for the start of the season. Fort William entered a reserve side in the league for season 2009–10 as the first Highland Football League "reserve" side to compete since 1999. Helmsdale based Bunillidh Thistle withdrew whilst Alness United took a year out, and former members Dingwall Thistle returned to complete a ten-team league. Season 2010–11 saw Alness return after a one-year absence whilst Tain Thistle withdrew after two seasons.

Clachnacuddin again entered a reserve side for season 2011–12, whilst Fort William Reserves dropped out due to problems with pitch availability.[18] Before the season started, both Bonar Bridge and Invergordon withdrew, leaving just eight teams in the league. The following season 2012–13, Invergordon returned while Balintore and Dingwall Thistle both withdrew from the league.

Invergordon again withdrew from competition for the 2013–14 season, however, the void was filled by a new team from Dornoch in Sutherland United. That same season, a newly formed Shetland team[19] and Lewis & Harris both registered for competition in the North Caledonian Cup. The following season, 2014–15, Shetland and Lewis & Harris also competed in the Jock Mackay Cup, while a new team, Orkney,[20] was accepted as a member of the league – the first Islands team to be admitted. Invergordon returned a year later following a two-year period of abeyance, however, along with Muir of Ord Rovers, Sutherland United withdrew from the competition after just their second season, taking the number of competing teams down to six for season 2015–16.

The league experienced an upturn in interest from Highland sides in 2016. A total of eight teams registered for league competition in 2016–17, with St Duthus returning to represent Tain[21] and a new team Inverness Athletic was also accepted.[22] The league grew in numbers again in 2017 with the revival of Bunillidh Thistle after almost ten years absence, and for the 2019–20 season, Bonar Bridge reformed and were admitted to the league.

In 2020, two new clubs, Loch Ness and Scourie joined the league, along with returnees, Nairn County 'A' and Alness United - taking the membership of the league to 13 teams for the first time in over 20 years. For the 2020–21 season, clubs agreed to play in two leagues of six (Bunillidh opted out) during the COVID-19 pandemic as a means of reducing the amount of games, with Golspie winning League One, and Alness winning League Two.[23] In 2021–22, Scourie folded after losing all 10 of their games the previous season, and Bunillidh again opted out and Invergordon qualified for the Scottish Cup after winning the title. In 2022–23, Fort William and Clachnacuddin Reserves returned to the league after 36 and 10 years, respectively.

Previous champions

Season Champion
189697 Inverness Celtic
189798 Inverness Citadel reserves
189899 Nelson
18991900 Nelson
190001 Inverness Thistle reserves
190102 Inverness Citadel reserves
190203 Inverness Citadel reserves
190304 Clachnacuddin reserves
190405 Clachnacuddin reserves
190506 Nelson
190607 Nelson
190708 Nelson
190809 Nelson
190910 Clachnacuddin reserves
191011 Inverness Citadel reserves
191112 Nelson
191213 Nelson
191314 Albert
191419 League cancelled due to WWI
191920 Dingwall Victoria United
192021 Nelson
192122 Inverness Citadel reserves
192223 Caledonian reserves
192324 Fortrose & Rosemarkie Union
192425 Catch-my-Pal
192526 Nelson
192627 Clachnacuddin reserves
192728 Dingwall Victoria United
192829 Inverness Thistle reserves
192930 Clachnacuddin reserves
193031 Inverness Thistle reserves
193132 Clachnacuddin reserves
193233 Inverness District Asylum
193334 Inverness District Asylum
193435 Inverness Thistle reserves
193536 Nairn County reserves
193637 Clachnacuddin reserves
193738 League cancelled
193839 Highland Light Infantry
193946 League cancelled due to WWII
194647 Invergordon
194748 Inverness Thistle reserves
194849 Caledonian reserves
194950 Clachnacuddin reserves
195051 Clachnacuddin reserves
195152 Caledonian reserves
195253 Caledonian reserves
195354 Elgin City reserves
195455 Nairn County reserves/Buckie Thistle reserves (shared)
195556 Clachnacuddin reserves
195657 Clachnacuddin reserves
195758 Clachnacuddin reserves
195859 Inverness Thistle reserves
195960 Inverness Thistle reserves
196061 League incomplete
196162
196263 Inverness Thistle reserves
196364 Clachnacuddin reserves
196465 Avoch Rovers
196566 Ross County reserves
196667 Brora Rangers reserves
196768 Brora Rangers reserves
196869 Dingwall Thistle
196970 Caledonian reserves
197071 Dingwall Thistle
197172 Dingwall Thistle
197273 Alness United
197374 Alness United
197475 Golspie Sutherland
197576 Golspie Sutherland
197677 Invergordon
197778 Dingwall Thistle
197879 Wick Academy
197980 Wick Academy
198081 Wick Academy
198182 Wick Academy
198283 Bunillidh Thistle
198384 Muir of Ord Rovers
198485 Fort William
198586 Muir of Ord Rovers
198687 Wick Academy
198788 Invergordon
198889 Bunillidh Thistle
198990 Balintore
199091 Balintore
199192 Clachnacuddin reserves
199293 Golspie Sutherland
199394 Halkirk United
199495 Inverness Caledonian Thistle reserves
199596 Fearn Thistle
199697 Ross County reserves
199798 Inverness Caledonian Thistle reserves
199899 Golspie Sutherland
19992000 Thurso
200001 Alness United
200102 Invergordon
200203 Thurso
200304 Golspie Sutherland
200405 Alness United
200506 Balintore
200607 Golspie Sutherland
200708 Golspie Sutherland
200809 Golspie Sutherland
200910 Thurso
201011 Halkirk United
201112 Halkirk United
201213 Thurso
201314 Halkirk United
201415 Golspie Sutherland
201516 Halkirk United
201617 Invergordon
201718 Orkney
201819 Golspie Sutherland
201920 League incomplete due to COVID-19 Pandemic
202021 Golspie Sutherland
202122 Invergordon
202223 Loch Ness

Club performance

As of end of season 2022–23
Club Winners Season(s)
Clachnacuddin reserves
14
190304, 190405, 190910, 192627, 192930, 193132, 193637, 194950, 195051, 195556, 195657, 195758, 196364, 199192
Golspie Sutherland
11
197475, 197576, 199293, 199899, 200304, 200607, 200708, 200809, 201415, 2018–19, 2020–21
Nelson FC
10
189899, 18991900, 190506, 190607, 190708, 190809, 191112, 191213, 192021, 192526
Inverness Thistle reserves
8
190001, 192829, 1930–31, 193435, 194748, 195859, 195960, 196263
Invergordon
6
194647, 197677, 198788, 200102, 201617, 202122
Caledonian reserves
5
194849, 195152, 195253, 196970
Halkirk United
5
199394, 201011, 201112, 201314, 201516
Inverness Citadel reserves
5
189798, 190102, 190203, 191011, 192122
Wick Academy
5
197879, 197980, 198081, 198182, 198687
Alness United
4
197273, 197374, 200001, 200405
Dingwall Thistle
4
196869, 197071, 197172, 197778
Thurso
4
19992000, 200203, 200910, 201213
Balintore
3
198990, 199091, 200506
Brora Rangers reserves
2
196667, 196768
Bunillidh Thistle
2
198283, 198889
Dingwall Victoria United
2
191920, 192728
Inverness Caledonian Thistle reserves
2
199495, 199798
Inverness District Asylum FC
2
193233, 193334
Muir of Ord Rovers
2
198384, 198586
Nairn County reserves
2
193536, 195455*
Ross County reserves
2
196566, 199697
Albert FC
1
191314
Avoch Rovers
1
196465
Buckie Thistle reserves
1
195455*
Catch-my-Pal FC
1
192425
Elgin City reserves
1
195354
Fearn Thistle
1
199596
Fort William
1
198485
Fortrose Union
1
192324
Highland Light Infantry FC
1
193839
Inverness Celtic
1
189697
Loch Ness
1
2022–23
Orkney
1
201718

* - Shared title

BOLD indicates the team is currently playing within the NCFA

Italics indicates the team is defunct or merged with another team that does not play in the NCFA

References

  1. Clark, Will (8 April 2020). "Highland League could see promotion and relegation". John O'Groat Journal.
  2. Law, Danny. "Relegation play-offs look set to be introduced to the Highland League from next season". Press and Journal. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  3. "North Region Joins Pyramid At Tier 6". The North Region Junior Football Association. 6 July 2021.
  4. "Reserve Football - an overview". Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  5. Alness United, Non League Scotland, Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  6. "We are delighted to be back in the North Caledonian League for the forthcoming season". Twitter. 20 April 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  7. Bonar Bridge, Non League Scotland, Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  8. Golspie Sutherland, Non League Scotland, Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  9. Halkirk United, Non League Scotland, Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  10. Invergordon, Non League Scotland, Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  11. "Inverness Athletic F.C." Non League Scotland. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  12. "Football league accepts Nairn County reserve team and Inverness amateur club to play next season". Inverness Courier. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  13. "Football league accepts Nairn County reserve team and Inverness amateur club to play next season". Inverness Courier. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  14. Orkney, Non League Scotland, Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  15. "St Duthus F.C." Non League Scotland. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  16. "Non League Scotland". Non League Scotland. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  17. Thurso, Non League Scotland, Retrieved 5 May 2015.
  18. Clach back in North Caledonian League Highland News, Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  19. "Shetland Squad : Shetland Football". www.shetlandfootball.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  20. "Ball rolling on Orkney FC". The Orcadian Online. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  21. "St Duthus accepted into the North Caledonian FA | St Duthus Football Club - Tain, Highland, Scotland". www.stduthusfc.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  22. "North Caledonian FA - Latest News". www.leaguewebsite.co.uk. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  23. Association, North Caledonian Football. "NCFA AGM - new members and league structure | Latest News - North Caledonian Football Association, Scotland". northcaleyfa.co.uk. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
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