SHOTTS END REVOLTTALK
Boss McKeown accepts investigation call
John McKeown has revealed Shotts have cooled on the plot of a West of Scotland League revolt after the conclusion of the title call investigation.
The Bonny missed out as a 20team tier six was formed with three teams promoted from the Championship and conferences below was then put through for the new-look set-up.
The result saw Shotts left behind after a fourth placed finish in the division.
The Hannah Park club vowed to fight the ruling as the season was brought to an early conclusion due to the Covid-19 outbreak,
however, the decision by the Scottish Junior FA was last week backed by an independent investigation.
The independent investigation, which was led by former Hamilton Accies secretary Scott Struthers, was sparked after the West Region’s acting president Colin Chisholm appeared to intervene and halt a null and void season in a leaked memo.
In the document Talbot director Chisholm warned that a null and void outcome would create problems with nominating a side to compete in the Scottish Cup.
The league was then decided on an average points basis – leading to Shotts missing out on any chance of a top three finish as Talbot lifted the Premiership trophy.
In their conclusion the panel state: “The panel can support the initial decision for null and void; the panel can support the decision to revisit that decision, as it is clearly prestigious for the West Region to have a representative in the Scottish Cup; and the panel can support the eventual decisions for divisional winners.”
McKeown says they now need to focus on the upcoming Conference A title fight. He added: “At the time we made our feelings known on the issues and there has now been an investigation into how the leagues were decided and brought to a close.
“Scott Struthers is well respected in the game and we respect what the panel have said.
“There isn’t too much that can be done and we just have to get on with it now.”
McKeown admits that recruiting for a charge on the single promotion spot has been tough with the club strapped for cash. He added: “Realistically we are going to be looking at cuts because the club has lost out on money from social events.”