Buckie pull out of potential legal action

BUCKIE Thistle are understood to have had second thoughts about a potential legal challenge to the SFA’s decision to kick them out of the pyramid play-offs. The Highland League champions failed to meet the bronze licensing criteria required to contest a play-off semi-final with Lowland League champions East Kilbride scheduled for today. That means East Kilbride will now progress straight to the final to meet the bottom side in League Two. Buckie claimed in a statement on Thursday night that they were ‘stunned and devastated’ by their expulsion from the play-off. A further update from the club to fans then raised the possibility of taking the decision to arbitration under Article 99 of the SFA rulebook. It’s now believed, however, that they have since contacted Hampden chiefs to say they will not be taking that course of action. While the SFA granted Buckie’s application on a number of key aspects, a decision over medical provision was deferred until May 15. Club president Garry Farquhar said in a statement last night: ‘I am personally gutted for our fantastic management team and our fantastic players, who all did so much to make us all proud, and to all of you, our fantastic and loyal supporters. ‘The statement issued by the SFA yesterday indicates that we did not reply to their requests. We have in fact been actively preparing for a Bronze Licence since late last year when it was clear that was the requirement from the SPFL.’ His statement added: ‘I will state straight away that we did in fact miss the cut off date for the “period of grace” from the SPFL. We have to accept that and categorise as an error never to be repeated. However, earlier this week we were asked to submit a request for this to the SPFL, which we did straight away. Why did they request this?’ It concluded: ‘I would like to finish this by saying that the board, committee and management team will continue to pursue the Bronze Licence, do our utmost to keep our management team and players together and fight (as we did this season) for the title again next season.’ Buckie edged out Brechin City to win the title on goal difference. Furious that his club were denied a crack at the play-offs after spending thousands to obtain a bronze licence, Brechin chairman Kevin Mackie told Mail Sport the whole business had made a ‘mockery’ of the pyramid system.