TRANENT Football Club have hit out at a short-notice decision to postpone next week’s scheduled clash with Celtic B.
The Belters, who sit fifth in the Scottish Lowland Football League (SLFL), the sports fifth tier, now face the prospect of seven games in 22 days as they tackle a fixture pile-up.
That comes after this evening’s (Tuesday) contest with the Glasgow club’s B team was postponed due to “Premiership break – player availability”.
The cinch Premiership – where Celtic’s first team tops the table – is currently on a winter break from fixtures.
Speaking to Courier Sport last Tuesday, Brian Johnston, vice-chairman of the Foresters Park side, said: “We think it is very unfair that a team can have a two-week break due to player availability and winter break when the rest of the league do not enjoy that.
“We were told about the fixture on December 30 and we had everything in place for a week today and then got an email from the Scottish Football Association (SFA) late Thursday night basically saying it had been cancelled.”
Celtic B travelled to Edinburgh University on Saturday.
However, there are no further fixtures listed for the Glasgow club until January 27, when they visit Linlithgow Rose.
Johnston hit out at the lack of consultation and dialogue between Celtic and Tranent over the situation.
Already, Tranent, who lost to Berwick Rangers on Saturday, have written to the SLFL about the issue.
Johnston also revealed the knock-on effect the postponement would have on the club as they look to close the gap on league leaders East Kilbride.
On February 3, they face Broxburn Athletic before taking on East Stirlingshire, Gretna 2008, East Kilbride, East Stirlingshire for a second time and Broomhill before the end of the month.
He said: “The amount of fixtures we have got coming up, we have got seven in 22 days in February.
“They have cast us seven in 22 days but allowed Celtic to call off the game due to a winter break that none of the other teams experience.”
The SFA said it was a matter for the SLFL to comment on as it did not fall under its “jurisdiction”.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Lowland Football League said: “A request was made by Celtic to postpone this match due to player availability.
“Following thorough discussions the League Board approved the request to uphold the integrity of the competition.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here