Spartans positive as D-Day for entry to Scottish League looms large

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The ambitious outfit will learn their fate during a special general meeting at Hampden alongside rival bidders Annan Athletic, Edinburgh City, Preston Athletic and Cove Rangers.

Spartans, whose new £3.5million stadium is set to be completed by mid-September, have long been favourites to replace Gretna.

Rangers boy: former Scotland manager Alex McLeish has backed Cove Rangers to step up into the SFL

Following site inspections at each ground, however, they were ranked fourth out of five in the criteria laid down by the SFL - receiving zero marks in 11 out of 15 judging categories - and were the only bidding club asked to fill out a special 25-point questionnaire to ease concerns over crowd capacity and the safety of match officials.

If successful, they have agreed to use Meadowbank Stadium for the first round of league fixtures until mid-December and chairman Craig Graham said they still hope to come out top in today's vote.

He said: 'We have talked to a lot of the clubs and they have been enthusiastic about what we would bring to the SFL. So we are excited about the outcome.

'We would be a capital club for the SFL and I think that would be good for attracting sponsorship to the leagues. But, whatever happens, there is an exciting future ahead for Spartans.'

Annan, rated the best-equipped side to immediately join the Third Division, say funding is now in place to install floodlights before the start of the season.

Former Scotland boss Alex McLeish last night threw his weight behind Cove Rangers' bid.

'I've got a soft spot for Cove and I'd love to see them in the Scottish set-up because I think they have a lot to offer,' said the Birmingham boss. 'They are run by superb people and would be a credit to the league.'