May 4 After all the stalling, visits to the lawyers and binding arbitration, the SPFL Pyramid Play Off first leg was played this evening at Dudgeon Park, Brora. Kelty Hearts ran out worthy winners and take a 2-0 lead back to New Central Park on Saturday May 8. Brora were not at their best and had Kelty not missed two penalties it could have been worse. I enjoyed the live streaming together with interesting commentary and summing up. Let’s hope Brora turn up and play as we know they can and give it their best shot.
May 5 Reports that the Scottish Lowland Football League (SLFL) have issued an invitation to Rangers B and Celtic Bteams to play in the league next season for one season to see how it works out.
May 9 Although Brora took a deserved lead on 26 minutes in the second leg of their play-off game at New Central Park, against Kelty Hearts, the home side ran out deserved winners over the two legs by 6 -1. Kelty will present a real challenge to team 42, Brechin City. For Brora the task now will be to retain their Highland League crown in the upcoming season and have another go at joining the SPFL.
May 10 The SLFL confirmed that they had voted to invite Rangers B and Celtic B teams to play for one season only in the league. Neither of the two teams can win promotion so it is going to make the experiment interesting.
At a club meeting this evening the Management Committee agreed that the club lottery would resume with the first draw on Sunday May 30 at 1900.
May 13 Work has been taking place on the maintenance of the grass surface at Seafield Park by RM Welch & Son of Monifieth.
May 14 The club confirms that it has reluctantly accepted the resignation of Team Manager Gordon Nicolson. Gordy has been with us for a total of five years – about a year as youth and first team coach, a season and a bit as assistant manager and the rest as first team manager. Everyone sends him our best wishes and a big thank you for all that he has done for STFC.
May 18 At an emergency meeting of the club committee Ian brought us up to date on the manager situation and it was agreed to begin the search for a new team manager. Tommy Wilson, assistant to Gordon Nicolson, informed the club that he also would be leaving the club with immediate effect. Tommy had been with us for two and a half years and we also wish him well in the future and thank him for all of his efforts.
May 23 Kelty Hearts won 1-0 at Brechin City to confirm their place in the SPFL league 2. Brechin City will play in the Highland League taking that league back to eighteen clubs. The defeat for Brechin ended a 98-year association with league football.
May 27 The Scottish Lowland Football League confirmed at their AGM tonight that the majority of member clubs have voted in favour of admitting Rangers and Celtic ‘B’ teams into the league next season – for one year only. The new SLFL will start on July 17. Under the agreement neither ‘B’ team can be promoted so this is an area that needs clarity for the other teams. It is thought that Bonnyrigg Rose, Civil Service Strollers, Bo’ness United, Dalbeattie Star and Edinburgh University voted against this plan. It has certainly split opinion.
May 31 What I thought would be a quiet month for news was quite the opposite. The departure of Gordy and Tommy was a blow but the club is in the process of interviewing candidates for the two positions. Kelty joining the SPFL will bring a new vigour to League 2 and also kept the integrity of the pyramid system. With confirmation that they will become the 18th member of the Highland League next season, we look forward to welcoming Brechin City to Seafield Park.