A plan for a third league to sit below the SPFL and alongside the Highland and Lowland Leagues is set to go before SFA chiefs.
The proposed Central League would come in at the fifth tier of the Scottish pyramid. And those behind the plan argue it would help open up the pathway for ambitious clubs in the congested West and East of Scotland Leagues a rung below. Record Sport understands it could also be an avenue for more Premiership B teams to enter the fifth rung of Scottish football. A paper detailing the proposal has been sent to over 100 clubs that are members of the Scottish Junior Football Association.
It will now be escalated to the Pyramid Working Group on which SFA chief Ian Maxwell sits ahead of a wider review into the structure of the pyramid. The plan has been drawn up by the SJFA’s chief operating officer, Alex McDowall. Clubs at tier six including non-league powerhouses such as Pollok, Auchinleck Talbot, Linlithgow Rose, Clydebank and Darvel are exasperated at the lack of promotion opportunities into tier five.
Currently only one side from the three tier six divisions - the West, East and South of Scotland leagues - currently wins promotion every year into the Lowland League. In a letter to SJFA clubs McDowall said: “The SJFA recently submitted a proposal to the SFA Non-Professional Game Board as well as the Pyramid Working Group regarding a Central League at tier five.
“We believe that the timing is right and would be to the benefit of our members and licensed clubs within the zone. When the Highland and more recently the Lowland Leagues were formed, there were very few clubs below tier five committed to the pyramid.
“As time has passed, more clubs are becoming licensed as their ambitions grow to progress through the league pyramid. Promotion to the tier five leagues is restrictive through the current avenues. We believe the timing is now right to look for additional opportunities for licensed clubs in central Scotland to achieve their aspirations. A fuller proposal will now be taken forward to the Pyramid Working Group, as we as an association seek to support our clubs in attaining their goals.”
Celtic and Rangers B teams are competing for a second year in the Lowland League and have been joined this season by Hearts. As part of the agreement allowing the B teams ‘guest club’ access, the SFA are to lead a review into the pyramid structure ahead of next season.
Currently the winners of the West, East and South leagues face a three-way round robin play-off for just one promotion spot into the Lowland League. The paper also sets out a plan to open up the historic Scottish Junior Cup to every club from tier five downwards starting next season.
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