Buckie Thistle get Premier Sports Cup invite as SPFL open door to Highlanders after SFA pyramid play-off row

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Buckie Thistle have been invited to take part in next season's League Cup by the SPFL - despite being denied the chance to win promotion to Scotland's senior league set-up!A huge row erupted last week when the Highland League champions were told by the SFA that they were ineligible to take part in the pyramid promotion play-off due to their lack of a bronze license, which will be required to compete in the top four leagues from 2024/25.

As a result, they were unable to take on East Kilbride in the playoff semi-final, with the Lowland League winners advancing to the final where they will face Club 42 once the League 2 season is wrapped up.But they HAVE been invited to take part in the Premier Sports group stage along with East Kilbride and Brechin City.

With only 37 SPFL clubs available to compete in the competition due to the Premiership's top five going into Europe, the league opens its arms to the winners of the Highland and Lowland Leagues as well as one more team from the fifth tier.

Spartans, Brechin, Cowdenbeath were invited last season and this time it's Highland runners-up Brechin City who have also beeb brought in to make up the numbers along with Buckie and EK.A league statement reads: "The SPFL has today issued invitations to three clubs to take part in next season’s Premier Sports Cup.