Tuesday June 18th will be a big day for the Highland League and especially Huntly and Cove Rangers, as they will discover if their bids to join the Scottish Football League are to be successful.

The affiliated members of the SFL will meet at Hampden tomorrow to listen to the 10 minute presentations of the seven clubs applying to fill the place vacated by Airdrie in next season’s Third Division with Gretna and Airdrie Utd currently seen as the bookies favourites to battle it out for the slot.

With the Highland League having lost 5 clubs in the past 9 years to the SFL there is no doubt that the majority of those in the Highlands will be hoping that neither Huntly or Cove Rangers are successful for the sake of the League, however no one would deny either club their chance to move on.

A full rundown of the seven candidates:

Airdrie Utd:

Current League: n/a
Ground: n/a
Manager: n/a

Strengths:

They will already have the best network of contacts within the League of all seven applicants, with the possibility of the sympathy vote from other clubs who would like to see the name Airdrie survive.

The recent announcement that they will honour the debts of the old club to their players and confirmation that they have permission to play in their own stadium will be a huge boost to their bid.

Weaknesses:

To allow a side to drop out of the league, wipe clear their debts and then rejoin afresh is a very dangerous precedent to set and could well give other clubs like Clydebank and Morton the impetus to do the same.

Currently they do not have a team of players and will have a lot to do in preparation for the opening fixture.

Cove Rangers:

Current League: Highland League
Ground: Allan Park (looking to build a new ground in the near future)
Manager: Kevin Walker

Strengths:

A team with a solid financial footing and with plans to move into a custom built new stadium. Cove have risen from the amateur leagues to join the Highland League and have the ambition to prove that although there is no pyramid system in place in Scotland that a team with ambition can still work their way up.

Have a good side in place (2000/2001 Highland League champions) and they have already discussed their proposals for membership with the majority of clubs during their previous attempts to join the SFL.

Weaknesses:

Currently they play their football on one of the tightest grounds in the Highlands with very little provision for supporters parking their cars/busses.

Their proximity to Aberdeen FC and the fact that the last four clubs to be admitted to the SFL have came from the Highlands are also seen to be detrimental to Cove’s bid.

Edinburgh City:

Current League: East of Scotland Premier Division
Ground: Meadowbank Stadium
Manager: Charlie Kivlin

Strengths:

Previous members of the SFL back in the 1930’s they play their football at Meadowbank Stadium, therefore only Airdrie Utd can match their facilities. Have a very solid if not outstanding side on the park but have a good financial basis for making the step up.

With the stadium, the adequate facilities for visiting supporters and a good financial and playing set up Edinburgh City could well be a dark horse.

Weaknesses:

Many sides will not have happy memories of visiting a stadium that provides little or no atmosphere during the days that Livingston were known as Meadowbank Thistle.

Gala Fairydean:

Current League: East of Scotland Premier Division
Ground: Netherdale
Manager: John Clark

Strengths:

Probably the most famous of the East of Scotland sides Gala Fairydean have a good ground with plenty of parking facilities and a fine tradition in the game.

Having been through the election process before they will have already a network of League contacts however they have yet to make a serious challenge of the Highland sides dominance.

Weaknesses:

Their team has failed to produce the goods for a number of years now and despite a little Scottish Cup glory this season have struggled again in the League.

Based in the heart of rugby country, therefore maybe seen to struggle to gain the backing from the local community.

Gretna:

Current League: Unibond First Division (two leagues below the Nationwide Conference)
Ground: Raydale Park
Manager: Rowan Alexander

Strengths:

Widely tipped to succeed this time around having been the best placed Southern side in previous ballots. With a solid financial base and more than adequate facilities the team have been developing their youth set up while competing in the English Unibond Leagues.

Despite being based right on the border with England Gretna is easily accessible via the M74 and is within a two to three hours of most SFL sides.

Weaknesses:

Currently they may not be seen to have a side strong enough to compete in the Third Division however the management team at Gretna believe that with the financial structure of the club they would have no problem recruiting new players.

Huntly:

Current League: Highland League
Ground: Christie Park
Manager: Fraser Kellas

Strengths:

With Elgin City, Ross County and Caley all having joined the SFL, Huntly are arguably the most recognised name in Highland League football thanks to their Scottish Cup exploits of the 1990’s.

Finished second ahead of Elgin City in the first round of the last ballot for membership and therefore have already developed a strong basis of support.

They have the facilities in place that meet the criteria for a Third Division side and although the team finished mid table last season have been on of the most consistent challengers for the Highland League title in recent years.

Weaknesses:

The feeling that having taken 4 sides from the Highland League that it is time to take a South based side may well affect their chances of entry to the SFL.

Off the park difficulties have been seen to have dogged the club in recent seasons, however with a number of local businessmen already being linked with Huntly it is unlikely that the club will be in long term danger and that if they made the step up the finances would be there to support the move.

Preston Atheltic:

Current League: East of Scotland League (First Division Champions)
Ground: Pennypit Park
Manager: Steven Myatt

Strengths:

An ambitious side that are on the up both on and off the park. Development work off the pitch has been matched by an improvement in the clubs fortunes that has see it win the East of Scotland First Division title last season, ensuring that whatever happens they will be playing in a new league come August.

Weaknesses:

One of the least well known of the applicants, although like Cove Rangers they have risen through the leagues and harbour ambitious plans for the future.

Related Stories:

Cove and Huntly submit bids to join SFL