Tayport excited about move into new Midlands division

Tayport have their sights set on hitting the Highlands.
By Scott Inglis
Published 8th Apr 2021, 08:55 BST
Updated 8th Apr 2021, 13:03 BST
Lyall Shaw, seen here playing for previous club Kennoway, will be part of the Tayport squad as they move into the new division. Stock imageLyall Shaw, seen here playing for previous club Kennoway, will be part of the Tayport squad as they move into the new division. Stock image
Lyall Shaw, seen here playing for previous club Kennoway, will be part of the Tayport squad as they move into the new division. Stock image

Well, the Scottish Highland Football League to be precise, the club confirming this week they intend to join a new league structure which will feed into that division.

This week the Scottish Junior Football Association and its east region operation accepted an invitation from the Highland League board to create a link with a new Midlands League.

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The Midland League, in tier six of the Scottish football pyramid, will consist of the teams currently in the East Region Premiership North, including Tayport, plus any others whose applications to join are accepted before kick-off arrives.

Ultimately it would see clubs in the Midlands League play off against those in the North Caledonian League and North Super League for a place in the Highland League.

As part of the pyramid structure, the Highland League’s champions play the winners of the Lowland League for a place in League Two.

Tayport plan to be part of the new Midlands set-up, this week saying: “As a club, we are pleased and excited with the news emanating from the Scottish Junior Football Association with regards to the Highland League.

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"To this end, we have withdrawn our application to join the East of Scotland Football League.”

The creation of the new division still has to be ratified by the Highland League, but it is expected to be formalised at its annual general meeting in June.

Tayport had resisted joining the raft of clubs over the past couple of seasons to depart the junior ranks and join the EoSFL.

The bulk of junior clubs deciding to do likewise play in the Dundee and Angus areas, much closer to the north east Fife club than some of the Edinburgh or central belt sides mostly making up those divisions.

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A spokesperson for the Scottish Junior Football Association added: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Highland League board members and the Scottish Football Association pyramid working group for their understanding and help on this matter.”

"We look forward to further developing our relationship.”

Related topics:Lowland League

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