LEADING Scottish legislator Ian Donald last night blasted the SFA for
refusing to recognise a new under-18 league involving eight of
Scotland's top clubs.
Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee United, Falkirk, Hearts, Motherwell, St
Johnstone, and Dunfermline set up the league to breed future stars.
But Pittodrie vice-chairman Donald, an SFA councillor and member of
the all-important Scottish League management committee, said: ''I
couldn't believe it when our request to recognise this league was turned
down.
''The reason given was that it was started after the season had begun,
which I find quite astonishing. The SFA's aim is to foster football but
this decision is not helpful.''
The eight clubs must now play friendlies against each other -- and
still have to apply for permission from the League before every match.
* STRANRAER face a 500-mile round trip to meet Huntly in the opening
round of the Tennents Scottish Cup -- and last night the second-division
club, who are also aiming for promotion, already were making
preparations.
Manager Alex McAnespie, said: ''We intend to be professional and go up
the previous day and stay overnight.''
Although that will cost the club money, their aim is to qualify for
the second-round tie at home to either Queen of the South or Spartans
and then progress to the stage at which the major clubs will become
involved. Draw:
First round -- Cove Rangers v Peterhead, Huntly v Stranraer, Inverness
Thistle v Civil Service Strollers, Queen of South v Spartans, Forfar
Athletic v Albion Rovers, Queen's Park v Clyde.
(Ties to be played on Saturday, December 5.)
Second round -- Gala Fairydean v Arbroath, Vale of Leithen v East
Stirlingshire, Cove Rangers or Peterhead v Montrose, East Fife v Alloa,
Huntly or Stranrar v Queen of South or Spartans, Stenhousemuir v Forfar
or Albion Rovers, Inverness Thistle or Civil Service Strollers v Berwick
Rangers, Queen's Park or Clyde v Brechin City.
(Ties to be played on Saturday, December 19.)
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