East Kilbride get pyramid play-off bye as Buckie Thistle BANNED from taking part over SFA licensing criteria

East Kilbride have been handed a bye to the SPFL pyramid play-off final after the SFA announced Highland League champions Buckie Thistle have been BANNED from taking part.

A rule change implemented earlier this year requires SPFL club to have a Bronze License to be able to compete in the SPFL and Buckie do not meet the grade.

The SFA have stated they have been in constant dialogue with the Highland League champions over certain issues required to meet the membership criteria, but these had not been met by the deadline set by the licensing committee and, therefore, the match scheduled with East Kilbride on Saturday will no longer take place.

It means Mick Kennedy's men will cruise straight into the play-off final next month against the club who finishes bottom of the SPFL, which is currently Clyde.

A Scottish FA spokesperson said: “The Licensing Committee considered a range of eligibility criteria in respect of Buckie Thistle’s application. Unfortunately, the submission did not meet the requirements for the award of a Bronze licence.

“All SHFL and SLFL clubs were written to in December last year to advise that the audit process would be accelerated for those clubs with a chance of promotion, in light of the SPFL’s updated membership criteria requirements.

"The Scottish FA’s club licensing department has been in regular dialogue with Buckie Thistle since then to notify the club of, and provide ample time to address, issues highlighted in their Club Licensing Report.

"Unfortunately, these issues were not addressed by the club prior to yesterday’s licensing committee decision."

An SPFL spokesperson added: “Every club was made aware in summer last year of the need to have a Scottish FA Bronze Licence to participate in the SPFL.

"Regrettably, Buckie Thistle failed to respond to any of the three subsequent follow-up letters sent in October, February and March.

“They are not compliant with SPFL Rules and failed to apply for a period of grace by the 31 March 2024 deadline. The SPFL Board has huge sympathy for Buckie and their fans, but has no option but to enforce our Rules.”

East Kilbride boss Mick Kennedy admits he feels for Buckie but is delighted to have two games less to play in their pursuit of promotion.

He told Lanarkshire Live Sport : "Everybody was told there was a certain criteria we had to meet by a certain date and we were told we met it. As far as we were aware, Buckie were working towards the same thing and we were never told of any issues.

"There's definitely no match, we have got an automatic bye into the next round.

"Everybody is delighted to be through. It would have been a tricky tie and it is two less games for us to play. It's not the way we would have wanted to get through, we'd rather have played the game.

"We prepared all week for it, but I feel really sorry for Buckie - the players, the manager, their fans, the club.

"We know how unfair the pyramid system is in this country and it is a difficult situation for clubs trying to progress but, ultimately, we have benefitted from that.

"We'll need to try and squeeze in a couple of friendlies now.

"We had booked a coach and a hotel for next week and everything, but we just need to move on and prepare for the next game."

Lanarkshire Live Sport contacted Buckie boss Graeme Stewart but he did not wish to comment at this stage.

Saturday's match was set to be a sellout at K-Park and the club have yet to make an announcement about refunds for fans.

The clubs last met in the play-offs in 2017 when East Kilbride ran out 4-3 winners on aggregate and eventually lost to Cowdenbeath on penalties in the final.

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