THE promotion and relegation plans for the new Lowland League West have now been confirmed.
The reconstructed fifth tier of Scottish football is set for its first season in just a couple of months.
A major shake-up from years gone by, many of Ayrshire's former 'junior' clubs, more recently of the West of Scotland Football League (WoSFL), will be making the step up.
Auchinleck Talbot, Cumnock Juniors, Troon FC, Largs Thistle, Kilwinning Rangers and Beith Juniors are now just one step below SPFL League Two.
After the Lowland League held its AGM last week, it is now clear how each club could make the move into the professional ranks.
The six Ayrshire club will be making the step into the Lowland League West alongside three other former WoSFL teams - Pollok, Johnstone Burgh and Renfrew.
A further two clubs, Dalbeattie Star and Newton Stewart, will be making the jump from the South of Scotland League.
Five positions will be occupied by current Lowland League sides - Albion Rovers, Clydebank, Caledonian Braves, Cumbernauld Colts, Gretna 2008.
Celtic B will also continue as a 'guest club'. While they will play fixtures and feature in the league table, they cannot earn promotion nor be relegated.
At the end of the campaign, one champion will be crowned and they shall earn the right to compete for promotion to SPFL League Two.
The winner will enter a round-robin tournament with league champions from the Lowland League East and Highland League.
The winner of this tournament will earn the right to face the club who finish last in League Two for a place in the division.
However, the league champions of each division will only be able to participate in the play-off if they have earned a bronze standard SFA licence.
This year's Lowland League winners, Linlithgow Rose, could not compete for promotion as they did not have this licence.
At present, each Ayrshire club has been awarded an entry level licence, meaning they could not be promoted as things stand.
At the opposite end of the table, the bottom two clubs will be relegated from the Lowland League West.
They will be replaced by the champions of the WoSFL Premier Division and South of Scotland League.
However, champions may only earn promotion if they have been awarded an entry level SFA licence - such was the case for clubs looking to make the step up this season.
In both cases of promotion, it is expected that only champions are to be eligible with no 'drop down' to the next highest placed licensed club anticipated.
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