Saturday’s Pyramid Play-off tie between Buckie Thistle and East Kilbride was called off after the Highland League champions failed to meet Scottish FA licensing requirements.
It means Lowland League champions East Kilbride go straight to the final against whoever finishes bottom of Scottish League 2 for a place in the Scottish Professional Football League next season.
Buckie were crowned Highland League champions for the 12th time in a dramatic final day last weekend when a 1-0 win over Keith meant they defeated Brechin City, who beat Brora Rangers 2-1, on balance of goals.
But Buckie failed to obtain the required bronze-level club license at an SFA licensing committee meeting on Wednesday.
“The Scottish FA regrets to announce that Buckie Thistle FC will not be eligible to participate in the Pyramid Play-Off,” the governing body said.
“East Kilbride FC, which has been awarded a bronze license by the committee, will proceed.”
An SFA spokesperson highlighted that all Highland and Lowland League clubs were informed in December that they would have to meet the updated requirements of the SPFL membership criteria.
“The Scottish FA’s club licensing department has been in regular dialogue with Buckie Thistle since then to notify the club and provide sufficient time to resolve the issues highlighted in its club licensing report.
“Unfortunately, these issues were not addressed by the club prior to yesterday’s licensing committee decision.”
An SPFL spokesperson added that Buckie “did not respond to any of the three subsequent letters sent in October, February and March”.
The club also “did not request a grace period until the March 31, 2024 deadline.”
The spokesperson added: “The SPFL board has great sympathy for Buckie and his fans but has no option but to enforce our rules.”
Buckie was approached for comment but general manager Stephen Shand this week insisted to BBC Scotland that there was “a lot more enthusiasm” in his promotion bid, despite admitting that some at the club did not fully support the idea of leaving the Highland League.
Clyde are currently the team most likely to face East Kilbride in the play-offs as they are one point behind Stranraer and three behind Bonnyrigg Rose at the bottom of League 2 with two games remaining.
The play-off will be played over two legs, on May 11th and 18th.
