The Mantis

https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scottish-fa-statement-pyramid-play-off-tie/?rid=13929&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1NnVIgh8yUal59BwiWflH0AB8i74OfeAVNgUWFZ9pDZL74Cr5WyLXVcbs_aem_AZU07FZkzxUMgikF2qzIQkc-lM_vxmB6IAHElYN-FThdcBJBjbcBarHxCnuPN54rLsEI5Oa__TmTJTm87yHlob-N Thursday 25 April 2024 The Scottish FA regrets to announce that Buckie Thistle FC will not be eligible to participate in the Pyramid Play-Off tie between the champions of the Scottish Highland and Lowland Football Leagues this weekend. Under Pyramid Play-Off Rules, it is a prerequisite for participants to comply with SPFL Membership Criteria, specifically in this instance a Bronze-level club licence award from the Scottish FA. Buckie Thistle does not comply with this criterion following its failure to obtain an award by the Licensing Committee yesterday. Consequently, the match will no longer take place and East Kilbride FC, who were granted a bronze licence by the committee, will proceed to the cinch League Two play-off final against eventual Club 42. Scottish FA spokesperson: “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.” SPFL spokesperson: “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.”

Just watched this. Not sure why he thinks it’s out of our hands. I’ve been looking for highlights as I’d like to see some of those saves from Dabrowski again, but no joy. Can’t make the next two games so that’s the end of the season for me if we finish 8th, but easily one of the best performances of the season I’ve witnessed and certainly the best at home. Edit- I see Raith have some highlights up now, they didn't earlier in the week.

The Mantis welcomes this Anyway I’ll go for Arbroath @4.2

“Very quiet on here aint it ?!!” Not quiet enough. Worse than the Main Stand. Somebody rustling papers while people are trying to sleep. See youse all tmrw night.

Aye County were jammy last year but I think they will see off Raith if that’s how it works out.

East Fife @1.90 please @MrCaleyjag

Funny you should say that, got an email yesterday from Albert Halls in Stirling saying Eddi Reader is there on the 27th. We were there last month to see Beluga Lagoon! Not a massive fan but I’ll be in Islay anyway… Seaforth was great just like the lasagne

Aye I think the weather warnings were a bit ott but I decided not to go. Wasn't sure how busy it would be and was going early in order to get parked, and it's not very handy for food etc out at Fergusons. Wondered if it would be too wet for the drone but it seems to have been dry enough. Had a scary time in Glasgow last weekend - nearly lost it in the wind Regretting it a wee bit now seeing all the photos. I'm on a FB page called friends of calmac and there are countless stories about the kindness of the staff, despite 'non-friends' continually dragging it off topic. It angers many residents as Calmac actually have a reliability in the 97-99% range but the media have got a bee in their bonnet and apparently all the islands are cut off every week. Anyway I'm off on the Loch Seaforth tomorrow so missing the QP game but I'll be in Sneckie next Friday night. So come and say hello if you’re in the North Stand - I sit with Caley100 and Billy Fisher and various TM4TJ incarnations.

Oh, we both know it’s not about me I think ‘floats’ is the word you’re after…

Even by your standards, that's a cracker. Well played Lazarus So the "minefield" that kept Falkirk out in 2003, and on 2 previous occasions, was actually "designed" for ICT Elderly men and big spotty teenager prejudices. Remarkable.

Sporting the best tan in the North Stand

Peterhead @1.91 please

I just got an email from them this morning at 8.07 as two of us are going over to Islay on the 26th. The email is thanking me for my standby booking yet I booked about 6 weeks ago! I’ll have to phone them. A four hour drive to Kennacraig plus accommodation paid for, not to mention all the distillery visits which is about another £100… Edit- got it changed to a confirmed booking even though we’ll be arriving about 7pm on the Friday and leaving about 1pm Monday. It’s because the MV Finlaggan is away for its annual refit so the Heb Isles and the LOTI are filling in. Had been hoping to nip over to Jura on the Friday afternoon but hey ho…

I think they’re launching this Glen Rosa thing at Port Glasgow on Tuesday. Just wondering about heading through for it.

Here’s one of the Loch Seaforth arriving in Ullapool in February. I was a bit late arriving so hope to get better shots next Friday.

A lot depends on how settled Billy is up here. The only way he’ll get more money is by moving back to England. The opportunities are limited up here. He’s 36 in October so when you look at the options (Elgin, County, Peterhead plus the likes of Brora) maybe he’s as well staying here.

Wakey wakey guys

Far too late now to make any difference. With hindsight Dunc should have been gone round about the QPFC home defeat on 3rd Feb. Charlie and possibly Robbo could maybe have salvaged something.

Couldn’t find anything when I looked a few weeks ago. I’ve just posted approx dates on the match thread based on last season. In any case, they come right on the heels of the last league game.

Approximate diary dates based on last season: Following the Morton game, we’ll face an away trip, possibly Tues 7th, to club 4, say Montrose or Cove. Then at home on the Sunday afternoon. If we survive that, it’s rinse and repeat the following week against the winners of the other tie, say Alloa or Hamilton, away first.

That was my impression. Also seemed like a carbon copy of last week’s interview at Tannadeechay.

I wish it were that simple. It's not like the Premiership playoffs. We come in at the semifinal v club 4.

You think that, even if we take 0 points from 15, Arbroath can take 10 from 18? I’ll have a bit of that action, what odds are you offering?

Yip, another ‘fine performance’ without any goals. We’re Donald Ducked. 9th it is, and 4 cup finals to save the season.

Spartans v Forfar DRAW @ 3.60 please