The Shetland Islands, are an archipelago belonging to Scotland and north of the mainland. A place with a rich historical past more associated with the Nords than the Scots and populated with people who would much rather identify themselves as Shetlanders over Scottish. A group of islands with an estimated population of 23,000. Long cold winters and short warm summers, but what is the story behind the football on the islands?
Short History of the Islands
Turning back the clock we look at the settlers of the islands, as far as historians can estimate the Pictish people (ancient people from the northeast of Scotland) inhabited the archipelago somewhere between 400 – 900 AD. The early years of Shetland’s history aren’t that clear to us.
The sparse artefacts, it is widely agreed that the Norse settlers arrived around 800 – 850 AD, a crossover with the Picts and the start of the ‘Viking Era.’ This is evident in the place names of the islands, the largest settlement being Lerwick, translated from the old Norse word ‘Leirvik’ meaning ‘Bay of clay.’ It wasn’t until 1472 that Shetland became part of the Kingdom of Scotland. This came about with King Christian I (Denmark) focusing on the eastern islands of his Kingdom. Scotland’s James III was simultaneously intent on acquiring the western islands, so an agreement was made and Shetland has been part of the Kingdom of Scotland from then on.
Shetland, part of the Kingdom of Scotland for many years now. The assumption would be that teams from the region play in the Scottish football system then, right? No, is the simple answer, teams from Shetland do not play in the Scottish football league system. Alternatively, they play within the archipelago under the Shetland Amateur Football Association (SAFA). The SAFA is also not recognised by FIFA, UEFA or even Conifa. The island does have a representative team however and regularly plays in the Island Games, teams include the Isle of Man, Saint Helena and near neighbours Orkney.
The Shetland league differs from that of the mainland Scottish system, every team is of amateur standing. The league season operates during the summer months with winters off. This is to combat the cold weather the islands experience, making it difficult to find suitable playing surfaces during the winter months. The senior football league, premier division only consists of eight teams. Each team only plays home and away meaning a short fourteen-game season. The second division consists of mainly reserve teams. No relegation from the premier league makes it difficult for second division teams to compete, new teams have to be voted on and accepted by the other clubs to join the league.
Such a small league usually results in a dominant team but strangely this does not occur in Shetland. Between 2000 and 2020 six different teams had lifted the premier league title. Having such few teams and such a short season allows the SAFA to introduce several cup competitions to combat this throughout the year, no less than five cups are available every season.
So why don’t teams from Shetland play in the Scottish league system? Well, there is a number of reasons for this. Shetland teams are eligible to compete in Scotland’s Highland Amateur Cup but due to travel. Teams from the region rarely enter the competition, for amateur clubs this isn’t always feasible. That doesn’t mean Shetland teams haven’t participated in this competition though. Lerwick Spurs made it to the final of the 2018 edition although were halted by an extra-time winner.
It’s apparent to see then how difficult these small Shetland clubs find it to travel to the mainland for the occasional cup games. This could be a factor in why they haven’t joined the Scottish football system. On top of any desire, Shetland teams may or may not have to join the Scottish system. It would not be entirely up to them to simply join the leagues. Teams from whichever constituency they choose to apply for would have a vote on whether or not they accept a Shetland team into their league. More likely than not this would arrive in a negative result with the Scottish clubs unlikely to want to travel for away games.
Shetland clubs may not be looking at joining the mainland football league system. That does not mean some of the players aren’t looking to move over. In 2022 young boy George Robetson joined Ross County on a two-year apprenticeship contract. Robetson follows in the steps of fellow Shetlanders Finn Regan and Spencer Moreland both being on the books of St Johnstone. Moreland has even featured on the bench for the Saints when they faced Galatasaray in Europa League Qualifiers.
Being unlikely to join the mainland system hasn’t meant a lack of progression for football on the isles. 2024 has seen a new 3G project undertaken, with the Scottish Football Association putting £500,000 towards the new project. It’s evident Shetland will want to remain competitive through its representative team with success in the Island Games a priority, and just as importantly success in the Milne Cup. A regular competition with near neighbours Orkney, last year seeing Shetland run out 6-1 winners.
A common thread among eager fans to get Shetland into the Scottish League System is to remove the representative side and form Shetland FC. This could potentially open an accessible route into the Scottish game. Even this would be met with negativity from the current Scottish clubs. Shetland clubs would potentially be against this too as it will more likely than not remove the clubs around the island. Dramatically decreasing the number of active players in the region.
Overall, it’s a tricky situation for Shetland clubs. On one hand, the clubs would like to progress and challenge themselves in the mainland system. On the other, they do not want to lose their own league to the Scottish game. Both Shetland clubs and the Scottish FA are dubious about the combination and it seems like it will remain that way for the time being. Success in the Scottish Cup competitions may sway the league and the clubs to allow Shetland clubs into the system. However, at this stage, it doesn’t look as though this will come to fruition.
Shetland is far more than a location for a BBC crime drama or a place full of folklore. Like Trows living in the hills of the Isles with a love for fiddle music. It’s a place with a passion as strong as any other for football. Perhaps one day we will see the Shetland representatives compete in the Conifa competitions. Maybe we will see a club accepted into the Scottish mainland league system, or even a new Shetland FC being created. Whatever the future may be, the additional funding for sports projects is allowing the footballers of the Isles to improve and dream of facing the best Scotland has to offer.
Image Credit: Deposit Photos
Written and Researched by BSc Cavan Campbell
