SPFL plan for fifth tier would help Kilby
Plans are afoot to introduce a new fifth tier to Scottish football that could help East Kilbride FC’s bid to reach the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL).
It has emerged the SPFL are considering introducing a 12-team ‘League Three’ to the pyramid set-up, comprising four sides from the Lowland League (where EK currently play), four from the Highland League and four Colt teams.
Under the proposals, it has been reported there will be automatic promotion to League Two and relegation for the side finishing bottom of the pile. Currently the winners of the Lowland and Highland League face each other in a play-off semifinal before the victors play League Two’s bottom club in a two-legged final to earn promotion.
EK won the Lowland League in 2016/17 but were denied promotion after losing to Cowdenbeath on penalties in the play-off final.
Kilby club secretary Dave McKenna, who is also vicechairman of the Lowland League, said: “It’s an interesting idea and anything that could help East Kilbride achieve a place in the SPFL is worth looking at.
“The devil will be in the detail.
“It’s pretty clear this idea is being driven by the Colts teams and getting them into the SPFL setup.
“Things are at a very early stage and I will be attending a meeting with the SPFL on Monday where we expect to find out more information – there’s no meat on the bones at the moment as to how it would all work.
“I believe every league in our setup should have automatic promotion and relegation. That is something that needs to be addressed and I will be raising that with the SPFL as well.”