The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Kelty delight as pyramid play-offs given green light
Kelty Hearts club secretary Garry Grandison insists allowing the pyramid playoffs to proceed was the correct decision for the whole of Scottish football.
The SPFL and Scottish FA confirmed yesterday that Lowland League champions Kelty and their Highland League counterparts Brora Rangers will get their shot at glory following several weeks of uncertainty.
The winner of the initial tie between those sides will face “Club 42” – almost certainly Brechin City – for a place in League Two. The first leg at Dudgeon Park will take place on May 4, with the return game at New Central Park on May 8.
The play-offs were given the green light following a Scottish FA arbitration process, with the final call being made in light of legal clarification from an experienced judge.
“The feeling is relief,” Grandison told The Courier.
“We now have clarity in terms of the timetable and the end goal. Now, we can start looking forward to the game up at Dudgeon Park.
“There’s been a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the players and the management team – to finally get rid of that is the best part.
“All we wanted was a fighting chance and we’ve got that. We know the job that’s in front of us and we’re one step closer.”
Ahead of the 200-mile round-trip on Tuesday for a 7.45pm kick-off, Grandison laughed: “All we wanted was the green-light to play this game – so you’ll not hear us complaining.”
Kelty were declared the winners of the Lowland League on a points-pergame (PPG) basis following 13 fixtures, while Brora claimed the title via the same measure after completing just three games.
That prompted Brechin to table reconstruction as a potential alternative, while Cowdenbeath chairman Donald Findlay questioned the fairness of the play-offs taking place under such unusual circumstances.
But Grandison firmly believes that blocking the route into the league for a second successive season would have damaged faith in the process.
He is also adamant that the progress of previous play-off winners such as Cove Rangers – now fighting for promotion in League One – underlines the value that ambitious pretenders can bring to the SPFL.
“I feel like this is the right decision for Scottish football,” continued Grandison.
“We have been inundated by coverage and support – from the BBC to fans on the radio and social media. And I think the general tone is that everyone wanted this game to take place.
“You struggle to find anybody outwith the bottom end of League Two who doesn’t want these games to go ahead.
“We have a pyramid system and it’s definitely important that people don’t lose faith in that.
“You only need to look at the standard of clubs who have climbed through the ranks to see how important that path is – Cove Rangers, Edinburgh City. They are good sides with excellent players and have justified their position.”
Grandison was also at pains to heap praise on Kelty manager Barry Ferguson, his coaches and the playing squad of the Maroon Machine for their conduct during a period of uncertainty during which there was a serious possibility their efforts would be in vain.
“The players and the management team have been absolutely outstanding,” he added.
“The gaffer has a brilliant group of boys and the way
they’ve handled this – the professionalism and work ethic – speaks volumes for the group.
“They have never dropped below maximum effort since returning to training and I know they’ll have even more bounce in their step after the announcement. Hopefully, they get their rewards in the tie to come.”
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: “The principle of the Scottish football pyramid is of huge importance to the integrity of open competition.
“It was vital, given the implications for all three clubs, that the respective organisations took all practicable steps to ensure that the play-offs could take place.
“We are delighted that the decision by the judge corresponded with the view of the Scottish FA and provides the necessary clarity to the league bodies and certainty to those clubs affected.”
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster added: “Like so many aspects of our sport, both the clubs and the SPFL have been in uncharted territory as a result of the disruption caused by Covid-19.
“We are 100% committed to the principle of the sporting pyramid but were keen to ensure that any decisions reached were both fair and in accordance with the rules. We therefore are very pleased that the position has been definitively clarified and that this season’s pyramid play-off matches will proceed as normal.”