2021–22 Highland Football League Explained

Competition:Breedon Highland League
Season:2021–22
Winners:Fraserburgh
Relegated:Fort William
Dates:24 July 2021 – 23 April 2022
Biggest Home Win:
(11 December 2021)
Biggest Away Win:
(21 August 2021)

(9 March 2022)
Highest Scoring:
(11 September 2021)
Matches:306
Total Goals:1223
Longest Wins:23 matches:
Buckie Thistle
Longest Unbeaten:25 matches:
Buckie Thistle
Longest Winless:31 matches:
Fort William
Longest Losses:10 matches:
Fort William & Turriff United
Prevseason:2020–21
Nextseason:2022–23

The 2021–22 Highland Football League (known as the Breedon Highland League for sponsorship reasons) was the 119th season of the Highland Football League, and the 8th season as part of the fifth tier of the Scottish football pyramid system. Brora Rangers were the reigning champions.

The title was decided during the final round of fixtures with Fraserburgh taking their first league title in twenty seasons thanks to a 5–0 victory over Forres Mechanics. They won the title by three points ahead of Buckie Thistle, who recorded a run of 23 consecutive victories during the campaign, a Highland League record.[1]

Fraserburgh played the winners of the 2021–22 Lowland Football League (Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic) in the Pyramid play-off, losing 3–2 on aggregate.

Teams

To Highland League

Relegated from League Two

Stadia and locations

All grounds are equipped with floodlights as required by league regulations.

TeamLocationStadiumdata-sort-type="number" Capacitydata-sort-type="number" Seats
Brechin CityBrechinGlebe Park4,0831,519
Brora RangersBroraDudgeon Park4,000200
Buckie ThistleBuckieVictoria Park5,000400
ClachnacuddinInvernessGrant Street Park2,074154
DeveronvaleBanffPrincess Royal Park2,600360
Formartine UnitedPitmeddenNorth Lodge Park2,500300
Forres MechanicsForresMosset Park2,700502
Fort WilliamFort WilliamClaggan Park4,000400
FraserburghFraserburghBellslea Park3,000480
HuntlyHuntlyChristie Park2,200270
Inverurie Loco WorksInverurieHarlaw Park2,500250
KeithKeithKynoch Park4,000370
LossiemouthLossiemouthGrant Park2,050250
Nairn CountyNairnStation Park2,250250
RothesRothesMackessack Park2,700184
Strathspey ThistleGrantown-on-SpeySeafield Park1,600150
Turriff UnitedTurriffThe Haughs2,135135
Wick AcademyWickHarmsworth Park2,412102

League table

Highland League play-off

Play-offs for the final place in the 2022–23 Highland League were planned however no matches took place. As the winners of the 2021–22 Midlands Football League (Carnoustie Panmure) and the 2021–22 North Caledonian Football League (Invergordon) were ineligible for promotion, 2021–22 North Superleague winners Banks O' Dee were put forward to play-off with Fort William, who finished bottom of the Highland Football League.[2] The day before the scheduled first leg, Fort William withdrew due to player eligibility rules. As a result, Banks O' Dee were promoted and Fort William were relegated.[3]

Second leg

Notes and References

  1. News: Alan. Hendry. Wick Academy aiming to 'upset the odds' against record-breaking Buckie Thistle. North of Scotland Newspapers. Scottish Provincial Press. 12 April 2022. 16 April 2022.
  2. News: Callum. Law. Fort William vow to keep fighting ahead of Rothes clash. The Press and Journal. Aberdeen Journals. 6 April 2022. 9 April 2022. Finishing 18th would see them take on Junior side Banks o' Dee in the relegation play-off at the end of the campaign..
  3. News: Callum . Law . Player eligibility led to Fort William's play-off withdrawal. The Press and Journal. Aberdeen Journals. 22 April 2022 . 22 April 2022.