SPFL reject club's licence bid as they miss out on promotion play-offs amid 'criteria' issue

The side based in West Lothian won the Lowland League this weekend after coming from behind to defeat Bonnyrigg Rose 2-1. Ordinarily, they would take on the winners of the Highland League for a chance to play League Two’s basement side. Winning that final would see them enter the SPFL but Highland champions Brora Rangers have effectively landed a bye and will be without action for three weeks ahead of facing Edinburgh City.

Rose were due to meet Brora next Saturday at Prestonfield in the first leg of the play-off semi-final with the second leg at Dudgeon Park on May 2nd. SPFL chiefs, however, have knocked back Rose’s application for a bronze licence. A similar situation arose two years ago when Lowland League winners East Kilbride were handed a bye, after Highland League champions Buckie Thistle lacked the required licence.

Why have Linlithgow Rose been denied an SPFL licence?

A statement from Linlithgow Rose reads: “Unfortunately, our application for a period of grace to fulfil the required criteria for our SFA Bronze Licence was declined by the SPFL Board. On this basis we are not eligible to participate in the Pyramid Play-Off Competition. We are taking the necessary steps to enable the Club to be considered for an SFA Bronze Licence at its next annual assessment.”

Manager Gordon Herd said after Saturday’s win over Bonnyrigg: “At half-time I wasn’t feeling too good. Credit to they guys, they battled really hard, the surface wasn’t the greatest and wasn’t in our favour. I think they showed their battling qualities and once we got the equaliser we had the feeling we would go on and win the game.

“Then when we got the second and we have controlled large parts of the game. It’s been a long season but I don’t think anyone can argue that we are the best team in the Lowland League. To come here and get the three points we needed is testament to the guys, outstanding, and we’ll enjoy our night.”

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