2016–17 Lowland Football League Explained

Competition:Lowland League
Season:2016–17
Winners:East Kilbride
Relegated:Preston Athletic
Matches:240
Total Goals:875
League Topscorer:David Grant (East Stirlingshire)
(35 goals)
Biggest Home Win:
(29 October 2016)[1]
Biggest Away Win:
(3 December 2016)
Highest Scoring:
(27 August 2016)

(17 September 2016)

(26 November 2016)

(3 December 2016)
Longest Wins:14 matches:
East Kilbride
Longest Unbeaten:14 matches:
East Kilbride
Longest Winless:7 matches:
Preston Athletic
Longest Losses:6 matches:
Preston Athletic & Selkirk
Prevseason:2015–16
Nextseason:2017–18
Updated:1 April 2017

The 2016–17 Scottish Lowland Football League (known as the Ferrari Packaging Lowland League for sponsorship reasons) was the fourth season of the Lowland Football League, the fifth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system. Edinburgh City were the defending champions but could not defend their title after being promoted to Scottish League Two.

East Stirlingshire became the first club to join the league via relegation from the SPFL, having lost the League Two play-off against Edinburgh City. Threave Rovers declined the opportunity to re-apply for membership following their bottom place finish the previous season and instead rejoined the South of Scotland Football League.[2] Hawick Royal Albert and Civil Service Strollers joined the league from the East of Scotland Football League to bring the number of clubs to 16 for the first time.

The league was won with two matches still to play by East Kilbride on 1 April 2017 after they defeated Gala Fairydean Rovers 6–1. East Kilbride defeated the winners of the 2016–17 Highland Football League (Buckie Thistle) in the League Two play-offs semi-finals, but lost to Cowdenbeath on penalties in the final.

Teams

The following teams have changed division since the 2015–16 season.

To Lowland League

Transferred from East of Scotland League

Relegated from League Two

From Lowland League

Promoted to League Two

Relegated to South of Scotland League

TeamLocationStadiumdata-sort-type="number" Capacitydata-sort-type="number" SeatsFloodlit
BSC GlasgowGlasgowLochburn Parkalign=right 1,800align=right 205align=right Yes
Christie Gillies Parkalign=right 1,569align=right TBCalign=right No
align=right 7,936align=right 7,936align=right Yes
Dalbeattie StarDalbeattieIslecroft Stadiumalign=right 4,000align=right 250align=right Yes
East KilbrideEast KilbrideK Parkalign=right 660align=right 400align=right Yes
East StirlingshireStenhousemuirOchilview Parkalign=right 3,746align=right 626 align=right Yes
Edinburgh UniversityEdinburghNew Peffermill Stadiumalign=right 1,100align=right 100align=right Yes
Gala Fairydean RoversGalashiels3G Arena, Netherdalealign=right 5,500align=right 495align=right Yes
Gretna 2008GretnaRaydale Parkalign=right 3,000align=right 1,318align=right Yes
Hawick Royal AlbertHawickAlbert Parkalign=right 1,000align=right 500align=right Yes
Preston AthleticPrestonpansPennypit Parkalign=right 4,000align=right 313align=right Yes
SelkirkSelkirkYarrow Parkalign=right 1,000align=right 100align=right to be
The SpartansEdinburghAinslie Parkalign=right 3,000align=right 504align=right Yes
Stirling UniversityStirlingForthbank Stadiumalign=right 3,808align=right 2,508align=right Yes
Vale of LeithenInnerleithenVictoria Parkalign=right 1,500align=right 0align=right No
Whitehill WelfareRosewellFerguson Parkalign=right 4,000align=right 150align=right No

League table

Lowland League play-off

A play-off was due to take place between the winners of the 2016–17 East of Scotland Football League (Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale) and the 2016–17 South of Scotland Football League (Edusport Academy). However Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale did not meet the required licensing criteria therefore Edusport Academy were promoted automatically to replace Preston Athletic.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ltd. Statto Organisation. Scottish Lowland League 2016-2017 Season Summary - Statto.com. Statto.com. 14 August 2016.
  2. News: Gillespie. Stuart. Threave Rovers' South of Scotland League return confirmed after three years in the Lowland League. 10 August 2016. Daily Record. 5 June 2016.