Clubs face month with no games.

Byline: Chris Roberts 

CLUBS caught up in the chaos over Livingston's relegation to the Third Division could be forced to wait a month to kick off the new campaign.

That was the warning issued yesterday as the debt-ridden Almondvale outfit prepared to appeal the SFL punishment dished out for breaking the rules on insolvency.

Airdrie United have been given Livi's place in the First Division and Cowdenbeath are set to move up to the Second.

But instead of celebrating unexpected promotion, those clubs - and the teams they are due to play - face fixtures being postponed.

SFL chief David Longmuir said: "We are trying to minimise the disruption but will have to be very flexible with the fixtures for Livingston, Airdrie and Cowdenbeath and by that I mean postponing games until the appeals process is exhausted.

"We will do everything we can to ensure it is the shortest time scale possible, however a lot of that is in the hands of the rules regarding appeals."

Livi interim manager Donald McGruther has met the consortium of Gordon McDougall, Neil Rankine and Ged Nixon who are looking to take control of the club and it is understood the trio have no plans to jump ship.

Longmuir urged the club, who have less than two weeks to challenge the relegation decision, to speed up the process by submitting any appeal as soon as possible.

He said: "If Livingston are going to appeal the quicker they do that the better and we can get things moving along.

"But we have to give them every opportunity to make that decision."

COVE KEEN TO JOIN SFL

COVE RANGERS chairman Keith Moorhouse last night said the Highland outfit would be ready to replace Livingston if they fold this week.

The Aberdeen side just missed out in their bid to join the Scottish Football League when Annan replaced Gretna last year.

But Moorhouse is determined to join the senior ranks and said: "We could do it, but I don't think it will happen right away.

"We have sent a letter to the SFL to inform them we are still keen on joining the league, whether that be now or next season.

"If the opportunity arose we would grasp it with both hands.

"We fully expect the SFL to go with nine teams if Livingston don't make it, but whatever happens we will be ready to make contact with the league.

"My understanding is if it's next season, which is likely, there will be a full application process to go through again. We have to be ready for that."

CAPTION(S):

PLEA: Longmuir, left, hopes McGruther can help speed up any appeal