What are the chances of a relegation play-off in the Highland League this season? Three clubs are in contention to win a place in the SHFL next season - And who could be forced to fight for their survival in the division?
There has never been an actual Highland League relegation/promotion play-off match since it was introduced in the 2021/22 season.
However, the chance of one taking place at the end of this campaign is the highest it has ever been.
The champions of the North Caledonian League, North Region Premiership and Midlands League are entitled to a shot of promotion to the Highland League.
However, that is dependent on the champions of those divisions holding an SFA entry level licence and meeting the requirements of the Highland League.
Only Banks O’Dee have ever been promoted to the Highland League, after they won the 2021/22 North Region Premiership.
They were scheduled to play a relegation play-off against Fort William, who finished bottom of the Highland League that season.
Since then, none of the champions in each of the tier six divisions have been eligible for promotion to the Highland League.
They include in the North Caledonian League, now defunct Loch Ness in 2022/23 and Invergordon 2023/24. Culter who have won the North Region Premiership in the last two seasons.
And in the Midlands League, Carnoustie Panmure who won in 2021/22 and 2022/23 along with Dundee North End last season did not meet the requirements.
Only three teams currently meet the requirements for promotion to the Highland League. In the North Caledonian League, Golspie Sutherland hold an SFA Entry Licence while in the Midlands League, Dundee outfit Lochee United and Fife club Tayport are also eligible.
However, they have appealed the decision and awaiting to hear the outcome.
Worryingly for clubs at the bottom of the Highland League, Golspie, Lochee and Tayport are all in contention to win their respective divisions.
So how strong are each of these teams? And what are the chances they could be playing in the Highland League next season?
Golspie Sutherland
Division – North Caledonian League
Current position – 3rd
The most successful club currently playing in the North Caledonian League, Golspie Sutherland are traditionally one of the heavyweights of the division.
They have won the league 11 times in their history, with their most recent success in the 2020-21 campaign.
They have recorded some notable victories in the Scottish Cup in recent years.
They include last season winning at East of Scotland outfit Hawick Royal Albert 2-1 and then forcing Highland League club Forres Mechanics to a penalty shoot-out after 1-1 in extra time before losing 8-7 on penalties.
By their standards, Golspie Sutherland have been disappointing in the last two seasons as they have failed to be in the title race. But since manager Andrew Banks returned to the post last season, Golspie have returned to becoming a force in the division.
Despite being in third place, they are nine points behind NCL leaders Halkirk United, but do have two games in hand.
The squad features a number of talented players from the summer amateur leagues based in Caithness and Sutherland, with some having experience playing for Brora Rangers and Wick Academy. Their most notable player is arguably striker Craig Gunn.
While not the favourites to win the North Caledonian League, Golspie certainly look capable of a title challenge. The North Caledonian League looks to be the most open in years, with leaders Halkirk United, defending champions Invergordon and Football Times Cup winners Inverness Athletic all in the hunt. But Golspie are certainly capable of finishing on top.
Lochee United
Division – Midlands League
Current position – 2nd
They were in the title hunt for most of last season until falling away badly towards the end of the campaign, Lochee United won 29 of their 38 league games and recorded 93 points with a goal difference of +117.
But they only finished third and 11 points behind champions Dundee North End.
However, they look a strong contender to win the title this season. They are in second place in the league with 15 out of 17 wins and on 45 points. They are two points behind current leaders Broughty Athletic, but crucially have a game in hand.
Reached the Scottish Cup second round this season after beating Hawick Royal Albert 4-0 in the second preliminary round and then won 3-2 at Lowland League outfit East Stirlingshire in the first round.
They went out in the second round, 6-3 against League Two outfit Peterhead in a nine-goal thriller at Balmoor.
They have quality in their squad, most notably in former Arbroath legend Bobby Linn, who signed a two-year-deal with Lochee in 2023.
At the moment, the Midlands League looks to be a five-horse race with leaders Broughty Athletic, Downfield, Tayport and defending champions Dundee North End, currently fifth, but have four games in hand, all in the title race.
Tayport
Division – Midlands League
Current position – 4th
What are the chances a club from Fife could be playing in the Highland League next season?
At present, Tayport certainly have to be considered serious title contenders in the Midlands League after an impressive first half of the campaign.
Nowhere near challenging for the title last season after finishing in ninth place, The Port are now a different prospect.
They have won 13 of their 16 matches and are in fourth place on 40 points. They are seven points behind leaders Broughty Athletic with two games in hand.
Did fall at the first hurdle in the Scottish Cup this season, when they lost 3-1 at home to defending Midlands League champions Dundee North End.
A well known name in junior ranks, Tayport have won the Scottish Junior Cup three times in their history. Although the last time they won the competition is coming up to 20 years ago, with their three triumphs coming in 1996, 2003 and 2005.
But a team with a proud history and pedigree, and as long as they are in the title race, will fancy their chances of coming out on top at the end of the season.
If there is going to be a play-off this season, who will finish bottom of the Highland League?
This season, who finishes last does not look like being the foregone conclusion as it has in recent years.
Strathspey Thistle have convincingly finished rock bottom of the division in the last two seasons.
But with no eligible clubs from below to force a play-off, they have avoided playing beyond the regular season to save their Highland League status.
Strathspey Thistle remain bottom of the Highland League this season, but not by much, and look a far stronger prospect compared to previous years.
They are only one point behind Lossiemouth and Rothes in 16th and 17th place, and have one game in hand on Rothes and two games in hand on Lossiemouth.
Strathspey have also beaten both Lossiemouth 3-0 in August and hammered Rothes 6-0 at Mackessack Park in October.
The Jags have also picked up impressive draws against Forres Mechanics, Fraserburgh and Nairn County as manager Ryan Esson appears to have made an impact in Grantown-on-Spey.
In addition, they are only four points behind Wick Academy in 15th and have two games in hand on the Caithness club.
The current bottom four in the Highland League look to be battling to avoid the wooden spoon this season.
And with the form of Golspie, Lochee and Tayport in their respective leagues, you wouldn’t rule out any of the four being forced to fight for their Highland League survival at the end of the season.
