The Scottish Lowland Football League has announced their first fixture list, casting fixtures until February 2014, and day one will feature an Edinburgh derby.
The league was made up from teams competing in the South of Scotland, East of Scotland and junior leagues, and as from season 2014/5 the winners will go into a play-off competition along with the winners of the Highland League to gain entry into the Scottish Football League Division Three.
Two Edinburgh clubs, Spartans and Edinburgh City will compete in the Lowland League this season, alongside Threave Rovers FC, Preston Athletic FC, Gretna FC (2008), Whitehill Welfare FC, Dalbeattie Star FC, East Kilbride FC, Selkirk FC, Gala Fairydean Rovers FC, University of Stirling FC and Vale of Leithen FC.
The campaign kicks off on Saturday 10 August at 3.00pm, and Edinburgh City will play Spartans at Meadowbank Stadium.
On Tuesday 13 August, Spartans host Vale of Leithen whilst Edinburgh City travel to the Borders to take on Gala Fairydean.
Speaking after the first board meeting, chairperson Andrew Waddell said “We are delighted that we are now in position to publicise the fixtures for the league. We have had to work hard over the past few weeks to get everything in place and I am delighted with the progress made.”
“I would like to thank member clubs, board members and secretarial team for all their hard work and support and I look forward to the League starting.”
Scottish FA chief executive, Stewart Regan, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for all 12 clubs, and another step forward for league reconstruction in Scotland.
“It’s important that ambitious clubs are given opportunities to progress. With the Scottish Lowland Football League running in tandem with the Scottish Highland Football League from next season, we are on track to create a pyramid system feeding into the senior leagues.
“The hard work now continues with the creation of the new league board, appointment of office bearers and detailed planning ahead of the start of the new season in August.
“On behalf of the Scottish FA, I wish all 12 clubs the very best of luck for the new season and beyond.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
