The Scottish Lowland Football League is delighted to announce an exciting new two-year partnership with Park’s Motor Group.

Park’s have demonstrated their support for the Scottish game by taking on the naming rights for the league, which will be referred to as The Park’s Motor Group Scottish Lowland Football League.

It represents a five-figure injection into the game at this level, with the option of a third year to the agreement already in place.

The Scottish Lowland Football League chairperson, Thomas Brown, said: “We’re delighted to have Park’s Motor Group on board as our title sponsor for the league. They have demonstrated their commitment to Scottish football and, particularly, in this case, the Lowland League.

“At a time when our member clubs are trying to excite and innovate, while dealing with the reality of the fall-out of the pandemic and a harsh economic climate, the additional income and support has to be welcomed.

“We look forward to working together with Park’s to help develop the Lowland League.”

A Park’s Motor Group spokesperson said: “We are really pleased to be able to support the Lowland League, whose clubs are at the centre of their communities.

“They play an important role in helping to nurture not only the next generation of Scottish football supporters, but some of the best young, up-and-coming players in the country. 

“There’s a lot of interest in the league this season and we are proud to play our part in its progression.”

The Scottish Lowland Football League has today published the 2022/23 fixture list.

The new league season gets underway on July 23.

This season we welcome Cowdenbeath, Tranent and Hearts into the league. League chairperson, Thomas Brown, said: “We are very much looking forward to the start of season 2022/23, which will see us having three new clubs taking part.

“I’m sure fans will be treated to some exciting football throughout the season.

“I must thank our fixture secretary, Kenny McLean, for all his work in the recent weeks preparing the fixtures for us.

“I would also like to wish all our member clubs all the very best for the forthcoming season.”

Click the link below to download the fixtures.

The Scottish Lowland Football League Season 2022 23 Fixture List

Following positive and collaborative discussions between the board of the Scottish Lowland Football League, representatives from the Scottish FA and the Scottish Professional Football League, plus Celtic, Heart of Midlothian and Rangers, a revised proposition for season 2022/23 has been agreed. 

This proposition allows the three guest clubs to participate in the Lowland League for season 2022/23. In addition, the respective league bodies have agreed to participate in the Scottish FA’s pyramid working group discussions aimed at providing a longer-term solution to optimise the structure and aid the transition of talented players between the ages of 17 and 21.

Following a positive vote, the plan commits to the following:

• Celtic, Heart of Midlothian and Rangers will join the Lowland League for season 2022/23, creating a 19-team league for one season only. This will result in a 36-game fixture calendar.
• Guest clubs are required to field seven players eligible for Scotland national teams in the starting line-up.
• Each guest club will provide funding to help develop the league and its clubs.
• The Scottish FA will lead on a review of the pyramid structure, with recommendations proposed ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Ian Maxwell, Chief Executive Scottish FA: “We are delighted that the Lowland League clubs have approved the participation of three guest clubs for the forthcoming season. The Scottish FA supports the principle of elite player development and particularly providing opportunities for talented players in the key transition years from 17 to 21.

“The Scottish FA will oversee a discussion in parallel to propose and implement a long-term plan with the objectives of optimising the pyramid, which has been a resounding success in Scottish football, harnessing the player pathway and accelerating the development of the country’s most talented young players through the national youth teams to the full international stage.”

Thomas Brown, Chairman, Lowland League, said: “We were always open to the inclusion of guest clubs for a further season given the successful player development outcomes from last year’s pilot.  We want to be a modern and progressive league and we are excited to be playing our part in the eco system that develops Scotland’s talent.

“Importantly we now look forward to working with the Scottish FA, the SPFL and our friends in the pyramid to create some new solutions to some existing challenges which will provide a bright future at all levels of our game.”

Neil Doncaster, Chief Executive, SPFL, said: “It is hugely encouraging to see such a joined-up and collaborative approach being adopted in such a vital area of our game.

“There are few more exciting things in football than watching the development of home-grown talent and it’s extremely encouraging that the Lowland League has agreed to assist our clubs on a temporary basis for Season 2022/23.

“The SPFL will commit our energies to a process that will explore options and, hopefully, allow us to move forward various aspects of our game for the benefit of our 42 member clubs and Scottish football as a whole.”

The Scottish Lowland Football League board has canvassed the opinions of member clubs over the three guest clubs seeking inclusion in next season’s Lowland League. 

Last month, a majority of 11-4 indicated a preference for the continued involvement of guest clubs, having taken two weeks to weigh up and debate a presentation on the topic.

A formal application process was subsequently opened, with three clubs confirming their interest and intent in joining the league.

Cleary, the inclusion of three guest clubs would require the current format of the Lowland League to be altered, so the board has entered into a period of consultation with member clubs to gauge the collective appetite for such a move – while talks with other key stakeholders would, naturally, follow before any conclusion could be reached.

Whatever the outcome, guest clubs will not be eligible for promotion. Nor will they hamper the ability of clubs to be promoted to or relegated from the Lowland League.

The Scottish Lowland Football League is delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with FC United To Prevent Suicide (FC United).

The move will see the naming rights of our League Cup competition gifted to a movement that is made up of people from all across Scotland, who are united in a shared belief that each and every one of us has a role to play in preventing suicide. The trophy will now be named The FC United To Prevent Suicide Lowland League Cup.

Since its inception, the FC United campaign has generated widespread support throughout the Scottish football community and further afield – backed by high-profile ambassadors and filmed conversations with those with direct experience of suicide and loss in their lives.

Our own Chris Ewing – chairman of Caledonian Braves and Lowland League board member – was courageous enough to contribute a first-person written piece on his own mental health struggles over the years.

It’s hoped that the Lowland League’s backing can further strengthen a campaign that has made a real impact and will continue to do so.

Lowland League chairman Thomas Brown said: “When we say we want to make an impact in our community, it’s not just a case of throwing around a cliché.

“We are focused on doing whatever we can to help the FC United To Prevent Suicide campaign, and the gifting of naming rights for the League Cup is a statement of intent.

“Since the campaign’s launch we have been in talks with those behind it, as it’s a cause I think we can all get behind and relate to. We wanted to support in any way we can, and this is the first step in that process.

“On a personal level, I read the account of Chris Ewing’s mental health journey for FC United and was inspired by his honesty and determination to help others.

“Whatever they need from us, we are here to assist and there will be more to come in the weeks ahead leading up to the Cup Final.”

In 2020, the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG) launched the United To Prevent Suicide social movement with the goal of making Scotland the most supportive country on earth. Its aim was to break the stigma around the word ‘suicide’ and get people across the country to pledge their support.

Although an initial success, young men in particular were not engaging.

FC United was created, in part, to target a demographic deemed to be most at risk – harnessing the power of football to spread the simple, important message that we need to Talk, Listen and Save Lives.

Kirstie Cusick, Social Movement Development Manager at United To Prevent Suicide, added: “We welcome the gesture from the board at the Lowland League to offer the naming rights to their League Cup, and additional support beyond that.

“They were quick to offer their support to the campaign from the off, and we’re excited to develop that partnership.”

We are delighted to announce that clubs who wish to be considered to be a Guest Club for season 2022/23 can now submit an expression of interest form. 

Following a recent vote of member clubs the League has vacancies for Guest Clubs for next season. 

Any club from the SPFL who is interested in being part of the League should email secretary@slfl.co.uk to receive the criteria, league rules and an expression of interest form.

A further announcement about the inclusion of Guest Clubs for next season will be made in due course.