Cumbernauld Colts, a team in the Lowland League, have expressed their concern about the “sporting integrity” of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) following their exclusion from the upcoming SPFL Trust Trophy. The tournament, which will offer a record prize money in 2024-25, will no longer include Irish and Welsh teams, and will instead feature B teams from the Premiership, along with clubs from the Highland League and the Lowland League, as well as those from the Championship, League 1, and League 2.
Cumbernauld Colts, who finished fourth in the Lowland League and possess the bronze license required to play in the SPFL, are disappointed by the fact that four former senior clubs who finished below them have been invited to participate in the tournament. According to the club’s statement, this move raises concerns about financial fair play, as clubs are being financially rewarded without any sporting merit. The club has raised these issues with the Scottish FA and is awaiting a more detailed response.
The clubs invited to play in the new SPFL Trust Trophy include Albion Rovers, Berwick Rangers, Cowdenbeath, and East Stirlingshire, all of which have suffered relegation from League 2 since the implementation of the new pyramid system. In contrast, Cumbernauld Colts are frustrated that only two clubs from the Lowland League, East Kilbride and Bo’ness United, were chosen based on sporting merit criteria, while four other clubs, who are former SPFL members and do not possess a bronze license, were invited despite finishing lower in the league.
Cumbernauld Colts are calling on the Scottish FA to intervene in the matter for the betterment of the game in the country. The club is urging for transparency and fairness in the decision-making process, especially concerning the sporting integrity of the SPFL. The SPFL and SFA have been reached out to for their comments on the issue.
It is clear that Cumbernauld Colts feel they have been unfairly overlooked and are seeking answers from the SPFL and the Scottish FA regarding their exclusion from the upcoming tournament. Voices of concern regarding the “sporting integrity” of the SPFL are being raised, and it remains to be seen how the governing bodies will respond to these claims.
