Scottish Lowland Football League clubs vote to admit Rangers and Celtic ‘B’ teams on one-season basis; decision comes after no teams were promoted due to previous season being ended early; SLFL chairman: "Our board will now get to work on moving forward to get the new season started"
Friday 28 May 2021 08:55, UK
Rangers and Celtic are set to enter 'B' teams into the Scottish Lowland Football League (SLFL) next season after member clubs voted in favour of the move on a one-season basis.
Earlier this month, all member clubs took part in a discussion with representatives from both Celtic and Rangers before an indicative vote.
A majority of clubs at the league's AGM on Thursday backed the proposal.
SLFL chairman George Fraser said: "The member clubs have voted in favour of this proposal that was put to them earlier this month.
"Whilst it wasn't unanimous, the majority of member clubs are in favour of it and ultimately the members made the decision, which is only right in a democracy.
"Our board will now get to work on moving forward with plans to get the new season started on July 17."
Fraser explained that no teams being promoted to the SLFL due to the coronavirus-enforced termination of the previous season was behind the decision to admit the Celtic and Rangers 'B' teams.
"With all proposals of this type, everyone has an opinion on it, and rightly so," Fraser said. "The SLFL board discussed this proposal last week and, as we are a members' organisation, it was entirely correct that this was put to the members to vote on.
"Our league is fully committed to the integrity of the pyramid and we have shown this time and time again.
"Since the start of this pandemic the SLFL has operated with a view that no club should be adversely affected by the decisions we make, and we believe that this is the case with this proposal.
"With all the tier six leagues opting to go 'null and void' this meant there was no champion club put forward to join the SLFL. If there was then the champion club would be taking part in the SLFL league next season."
