Plea for sides to stick in

Lowland League chiefs have pleaded with junior clubs not to abandon their big move to the pyramid – but insist they’ll get their money back if they do.

The new West of Scotland Football League underneath the Lowland has already been plagued by turmoil without a ball being kicked.

Plans to put all 63 junior sides making the move into conferences at tier six were dashed this week by the SFA.

Instead, a 20- team top league is now planned based on last season’s standings with remaining teams in conferences underneath.

That has angered several clubs and left the door open to some deciding to forget the move altogether.

Lowland chairman George Fraser said: “I understand the frustration that some clubs will feel.

“But we would like to see us work towards a solution which will see everyone move forward together.

“We have always said that clubs have the freedom of choice and we will respect the decisions they make, whatever that may be.”

Amid the threat of clubs pulling out of the WoSFL, which car r ies a £ 500 membership fee, Fraser said: “It’s not a route we want clubs to go down. However, we will not inhibit clubs in any way and they would be refunded in full. We want everyone to stay but won’t stand in anyone’s way.”

In the new set-up, the 16 junior teams in last term’s Premiership will be joined in a top tier by the top three in the Championship – Darvel, Cumbernauld and Blantyre – plus Bonnyton Thistle.