Clubsare astep closerto SPFL football

The upcoming season promises to be a landmark one for Perthshire’s three junior football clubs.

An invitation from the Highland League to create a formal link with Tayside clubs has been accepted by the East Region and the Scottish Junior Football Associations.

This will pave the way for local clubs to join the SFA’s pyramid system at tier six, with the Highland League at tier five.

A new league will be established, to be known as the Midlands League, and will consist of the clubs in the current Premiership North of the East Region Junior ranks.

Blairgowrie, Coupar Angus and Scone Thistle supporters will be pleased to hear that the old rivalries with the likes of Arbroath Vics and Lochee Harp will continue.

It is hoped more clubs will apply to join the new league.

In addition, the North Region Junior clubs from the Aberdeen and Inverness areas have also linked-up with the Highland League and will also operate at tier six.

Eventually, there will be a pathway for Midlands League clubs to enter the Highland League.

However, clubs must become licensed by the SFA, win the Midlands championship, and then win a complicated play-off with other clubs from the North.

“This is a lifeline for Junior clubs in Tayside,” said Blairgowrie JFC president Dennis Elder.

“More than 100 clubs have left the juniors for the SFA pyramid in the last three years.

“A variety of complex reasons meant a link with the Lowland League was not possible.

“For example, the Lowland League and its associated East of Scotland League catchment area already stretches from the English border to the Tay, so an extension northwards into Tayside was considered a step too far.

“Tayside clubs were in danger of becoming isolated from clubs of a similar level in the rest of Scotland.

“This presents a great opportunity for Blairgowrie and others in the area.”

It is anticipated that the move to the SFA pyramid will be rubber-stamped at the SFA board AGM in June.