LOWLAND LEAGUE ‘BULLYING’ STORM

LOWLAND LEAGUE clubs have been threatened with expulsion from the Premier Sports Cup unless they admit Brechin City to their ranks next season. An AGM of the 17 clubs on Thursday night voted in favour of including Celtic and Rangers Colt teams from next season. However, a late offer from relegated Brechin to change the existing rules and pay their way into the Lowland rather than Highland League was kicked into touch. Despite warnings that rejection of the Brechin offer could see invitations to the Premier Sports and Challenge Cups removed, the Lowland League sides voted by a margin of 17-0 to reject the approach following accusations of ‘bullying’. Sportsmail understands SLFL Chairman George Fraser only learned of the late bid to shoehorn City into their ranks in a phone call from SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell hours before the AGM after the matter

was raised at a meeting of the Joint Response Group. Warned that a rejection could result in consequences, Brechin directors sought to sweeten the pill with an offer to pay for 100 tickets for every away game at a cost of £10 each. Unhappy the issue was sprung on them at a late stage, clubs accused the JRG of trying to ride roughshod over existing rules stating that Brechin join the Highland League. The meeting also heard claims from clubs that the issue should have been raised and resolved earlier and that the Brechin threat was detrimental to the pyramid and was ‘nothing short of bullying.’ Last night the SFA urged the Lowland League to reconsider their position, arguing they went the extra mile to facilitate the pyramid play-offs which saw Kelty Hearts promoted at Brechin’s expense. The SPFL believe they have also helped the SLFL by granting two teams from the Highland League and two from the Lowland League access to the Premier Sports Cup. In yesterday’s group-stage draw, Lowland League champions and League Two new boys Kelty were placed in a group with Dundee United, Arbroath, East Fife and Elgin City. As well as not knowing what league they will be playing in next season, Brechin are also now looking for a new manager after parting company with Michael Paton yesterday.