KELTY HEARTS have said that "a league where you can finish 6th and be relegated or finish 5th and be promoted isnโ€™t right for sporting integrity" after announcing they will vote against proposals for a new Conference League.

The New Central Park outfit have said that the controversial proposal "doesn't seem the right decision" and believe that there are "other ways to improve Scottish football" after confirming their stance on the plan.

Yesterday (Saturday) the club invited supporters to attend a meeting to voice their opinion on plans for the Conference League, which, if they go ahead, would see a new division created at tier five of the Scottish football pyramid.

Under the proposals, which have drawn criticism from a number of clubs outwith the SPFL, a 10-team league, consisting of four SPFL 'B' teams, would be created for the 2024/25 season.

Currently, the Lowland League and Highland League sit at tier five, and the top four in the former, and top two in the latter, at the end of season 2023/24 would also be included.

'B' teams, three of which - Celtic, Heart of Midlothian and Rangers - currently play in the Lowland League, would not be eligible for promotion or relegation, and the Conference League would be funded by participation fees from the 'B' teams, with the other six clubs receiving an estimated payment of around ยฃ40,000 each per annum.

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A minimum five-year commitment would be required from the 'B' teams and, at the end of the season, the highest placed side outwith 'B' clubs would enter the pyramid play-off with the team who finishes bottom of SPFL League Two, aligned with the current system of promotion and relegation to the SPFL.

The lowest placed non-'B' team would be relegated to the Lowland or Highland league, replaced by the winner of a play-off between the champions of the respective leagues, whilst the loser of the Lowland and Highland league play-off would enter a promotion / relegation play-off with the second lowest non-'B' team in the Conference League.

In addition, 'B' teams must include a minimum of seven players eligible for Scotland in their starting XI, with a minimum of 11 included in their matchday squad.

Kelty, who in 2018 were promoted into the Lowland League after moving to the East of Scotland League, won promotion to the SPFL in 2021 after succeeding in the pyarmid play-offs, having won the Lowland League.

The League One side's new sporting director, Craig Reynolds, told the club's website: "After todayโ€™s discussions with the board members, committee and fans, Kelty Hearts have decided against the idea aimed at the new Conference League.

"As a club, we have been on a long journey to get to where we are, and we feel putting another league in doesnโ€™t seem the right decision to do at this moment in time.

"We are all for player development, but a league where you can finish sixth and be relegated, or finish fifth and be promoted, isnโ€™t right for sporting integrity.

"While we understand the case for B teams, we believe that thereโ€™s other ways to improve Scottish football, such like larger leagues, reserve leagues and more loan players from the so called bigger teams, as well as a more open pyramid system and fairer financial allocation throughout the SPFL."

Near neighbours, Cowdenbeath, have also started their opposition to the plan, stating: "The Board of Cowdenbeath FC initially discussed this in outline when there was little hard and fast information to hand. Later the papers for the SFA AGM were circulated which provided us with an overview of the proposal. The CFC Board has thus now been able to formally consider the matter in advance of next weekโ€™s SFA AGM.

"Firstly, we have never been in favour of admitting and embedding B teams in the Pyramid structure. We are all for player development but the raison dโ€™etre of B teams is markedly different to that of the clubs in the pyramid structure. They each have a very separate place in the game. Our recent support for the status quo for 2023/24 was mainly predicated on allowing time for further dialogue re the Pyramid and consequently to seek to ensure that the Conference proposal would be properly subject to a transparent and democratic voting process.

"Secondly, in respect of the Conference League, having now reviewed the details of the proposal, we are not enthused by a construct which envisages delivering to supporters of Scottish football a full League season over 9/10 months effectively involving just 6 competing clubs. Meantime the other 40% of the Leagueโ€™s proposed membership is seemingly to be self-selected and will operate with a wholly different agenda.

"Cowdenbeath FC can therefore confirm that the Conference is not something we can support."

Member clubs will be asked to bote on the matter at the SFA AGM on Tuesday and, in advance of that, Dunfermline - through the Pars Supporters Trust - canvassed views of supporters.

Fellow Fifers, Raith Rovers, have stated their intention to vote against the plans, whilst top flight Aberdeen have rejected an invitation to take part.