Buckie Thistle ban makes 'mockery' of SPFL pyramid as raging Brechin City chief blasts Highland League

Raging Brechin City chairman Kevin Mackie was blasted the Highland League for making a "mockery" of the Scottish football pyramid after champions Buckie Thistle were booted out of the playoffs.

Graeme Stewart's side clinched the league title on goal difference from the Glebe Park outfit, to set up what they thought would be a chance at promotion to League Two with a two-legged play off against Lowland League winners East Kilbride for the chance to face off against club 42 for a crack at league football next season.

But they have sensationally been denied their shot at promotion after failing to obtain an SFA bronze licence. The governing body released a statement on Thursday confirming that Buckie were ineligible for the playoffs, and that East Kilbride would go straight through to play the SPFL's bottom club for a shot at promotion - likely to be either Clyde, Stranraer or Bonnyrigg Rose.

Now Brechin chief Mackie has let rip at the Highland League, demanding to know why they re-arranged two Buckie games against hapless Strathspey Thistle. Thistle rattled 13 goals past them to help claim the crown, but have now seen their dreams crushed after "failing to respond" to reminders to ask league bosses for a grace period in order to gain the licence - something the club insists they did.

"I am raging with the Highland League," Mackie told the Daily Mail. "This makes a mockery of the entire pyramid. This whole thing is shambolic and the Highland League needs to take a look at itself. They would have known that the champions had to be eligible for the play-offs and I am annoyed that they haven't made sure the champions could meet the criteria required.

"They went out of their way to rearrange Buckie's outstanding games against