STARK: SFA can’t switch the play-offs
Concerns over fixtures jam
East Kilbride boss Billy Stark reckons the integrity of the Lowland and Highland Leagues is at stake after a meeting was held on Friday to discuss the idea of changing the dates for the League Two play-offs.
Representatives from both leagues met with the Scottish Football Association at Hampden amid concern regarding fixture congestion.
There is a backlog of fixtures in both divisions following the recent bad weather and, as it stands, they must crown their champions by Saturday, April 14, in order to play the first leg of the Highland/Lowland play-off on April 21.
There’s a three-way title race in the Lowland League with East Kilbride leading the way from Spartans and BSC Glasgow.
Kilby have just four games remaining and hold a six-point advantage over Spartans, who have seven games to play, and a seven point lead over BSC, who have six games outstanding.
The Lowland League are on course to wrap up their campaign by the deadline.
But it’s understood Highland League leaders Cove Rangers have forced the issue as they still have 12 league games to play and are involved in the Highland League Cup.
Cove look set to lift the title as they have a two-point lead over Inverurie with five games in hand.
Their argument is they will have to play four games a week to fulfill their compliment of fixtures.
Solutions suggested have included moving the Highland and Lowland League play-off back almost two weeks and playing the first leg in midweek, on either Tuesday, May 1 or Wednesday, May 2. The second leg would be played on Saturday, May 5.
This plan would allow the first leg of the League Two play-off final – set to be played against Cowdenbeath, who are currently bottom of League Two – to take place in midweek ahead of the second leg on Saturday, May 12, which is the date set out at the start of the season.
However, the idea of playing the first leg of the Highland/Lowland play-off in midweek would entail the winners of the Lowland League facing a long midweek trip up north.
And Kilby boss Stark reckons this would be detrimental to whoever comes out on top in the Lowland League.
He said: “This would undermine the integrity of the league in my opinion and the dates should remain the way they are.
“There’s no doubt there would be a disadvantage to the Lowland League winners having to travel to Cove on a Tuesday or Wednesday night. It would involve players struggling to get time off work and a long journey during the week.
“The SFA have always been unbending in having fixtures played by the due date.”
Stark even hinted if Cove win the league in the next few weeks, they could delay the rest of their league games to take part in the play-offs.
He added: “Cove’s position at the top of the table means they could claim the league in the next few weeks, therefore the remaining games would be meaningless anyway.”
Following Friday’s meeting, no decision has yet been made whether to delay the dates and both leagues will move forward to see how the fixtures pan out over the course of the next few weeks.
The News contacted the SFA but they were unable to comment at this time.