Buckie promotion would strengthen Highland League reputation
IT was one of the most open Highland League title races in years. And despite some horrendous results losing to Clachnacuddin, Lossiemouth and Wick Academy in the second half of the campaign, Buckie Thistle still managed to become champions on the final day of the season.
A nervy 1-0 win over Keith at Victoria Park, along with Brechin City only beating Brora Rangers 2-1, meant Thistle claimed the title on goal difference.
Fair play to Fraserburgh for banging 11 goals past Strathspey Thistle in the hope Brechin and Brora would both lose on the final day.
But it is Buckie who now go on to the League Two play-offs and will face Lowland League champions East Kilbride in the semi finals.
The first leg takes place in East Kilbride on Saturday with the second leg taking place at Victoria Park a week later.
The winners will face the team that finishes bottom of League Two, which will either be Bonnyrigg Rose, Clyde or Stranraer.
Since the League Two play-offs were introduced in 2014/15 season, Highland League teams have not fared well at this stage.
Only three times have Highland League teams managed to reach the final, Cove Rangers doing it twice, losing to Cowdenbeath in 2018 before beating Berwick Rangers in 2019. They remain the only Highland League team to win promotion.
Brora Rangers reached the first play-off final in 2015 before losing to Montrose.
But Lowland League teams have had the better of it in the majority of semi finals and had success of winning the finals and gaining promotion to League Two.
Edinburgh City in 2015, Kelty Hearts in 2021, Bonnyrigg Rose in 2022 and The Spartans in 2023 all gained promotion after winning the Lowland League.
Recent years have shown the strength of the Lowland League compared to the Highland League in how so many teams have experienced success.
Lowland League teams have also shown their strength in the Scottish Cup in recent years. But this season, Buckie Thistle reaching the fourth round to face champions Celtic and Brora Rangers also reaching the fourth round to face Cove Rangers was impressive.
Buckie Thistle will now go and look at becoming the second Highland League team to win promotion to League Two. There has always been a debate if there is the same desire from teams in the Highland League to win promotion compared to the Lowland League.
The Highland League, which prides itself on representing communities from across the north, has been established since 1893 and has a proud tradition. The Lowland League was only founded in 2013 and due to the fact the football pyramid was being extended. Teams entered the division with the sole purpose of trying to achieve promotion to League Two.
Many believe promotion is embraced more in the Lowland League compared to the Highland League. But it would be good for the reputation of north football if another team from the SHFL were able to make the step up.
