Friday nights are all right for West Highland football league
Written by MartyM on 7 February 2023
The Skye and Lochalsh Amateur Football Association is set to become the West Highland Amateur Football Association from this season following a decision at last night’s AGM.
Fort William’s reserve team have also been admitted to the league for the 2023 season onwards, which means the competition will return to an eight-club league.
Monday night’s AGM marked the end of an era for the league association with secretary Heckie Cormack standing down after more than a decade at the helm. He will be replaced by Rafa Scott, who has been running the SLAFA social media account which provides dedicated coverage of the league and cup competitions.
Meanwhile, long-standing chairperson Steve MacNeil also announced his departure. North West Skye coach Graham Campbell has agreed to take on the role.
Another significant change concerning the league set-up saw the clubs vote through a move for matches involving Kyle and the Skye-based sides to be played on Friday nights.
The games, which have traditionally been contested on Saturdays, will now be played on Friday nights with kick-offs likely to be at 7/7.30.
However, all fixtures involving Mallaig and Fort William will still be contested on Saturdays on account of the travel time.
Sleat and Strath midfielder Ben Yoxon, who is the league’s reigning player of the year has welcomed the changed.
He told Radio Skye: “I am very happy with it.
“Hopefully, we will get more availability across the league and it will reduce other pressures on players playing.”
Fort William’s Claggan Park was also agreed as the venue for last season’s outstanding Ross Cup final between Sleat and Mallaig, pending availability.
Clubs will also be limited to one free weekend this year in a bid to reduced fixture congestion.
The 2023 football season is scheduled to begin in April.
Article by Adam Gordon.
