The Lowland League has come under fire for the 'shameful' approval of Rangers and Celtic 'B' teams in the setup from next season.
Last night, fifth tier clubs gave the green light for the one-season plan by a vote of 11-5, with one club abstaining, and this is now set to be ratified at the Lowland League's AGM on May 27.
However, many football fans and, indeed, one feeder league to the Lowland League are furious at the decision and social media is awash with supporters venting their fury.
The East of Scotland League - who released a joint statement other tier six setups the West of Scotland League and South of Scotland League this week opposing the plan - are up in arms at the decision and they left nothing back in announcing their dismay at the outcome of the vote.
Retweeting the Lowland League statement, their official Twitter account posted: "Here you have it. As shameful an announcement as any previous disgrace in the very murky annals of the Scottish football environment we're all mug enough to invest in emotionally and otherwise.
"It's a struggle to comprehend, quite honestly."
Here you have it. As shameful an announcement as any previous disgrace in the very murky annals of the Scottish football environment we're all mug enough to invest in emotionally and otherwise. It's a struggle to comprehend, quite honestly. https://t.co/0X913pYBJm
— East of Scotland Football League (@EastScotlandFA)
Fans also echoed that view:
Disappointed to hear the Lowland League voted in favour of Colt teams. I won't be missed I'm sure but I won't be at any games next season
The absolute gall to tweet en masse that football is decided on the pitch, not the boardroom, only to decide this in a boardroom is shameful— Cameron Hobbs (@CameronHobbs)
So the colts proposal has gone through the Lowland League tonight; what a shameful thing for our club to be involved in. Of limited benefit in football terms, it has opened a door and set a precedent which we shouldn't ever have endorsed. We will live to regret it.
— TheCelticBlog (@CelticBlog2018)
Lowland league losing their integrity tonight.
East Kilbride v Celtic Colts and Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic v Rangers Colts. That's what you've got now. Take Highland League any day of the week!— David Wright (@davidwright33)
However, some supporters gave their backing to the plans and questioned the uproar surrounding it.
Not sure I see too many issues, the top lowland league team will go forward to the play offs, no one will miss out on promotion, the league will gain audience, will improve attendance and coverage. What do they have to lose?
— Willie Pettigrew (@willie1962)
folk complaining about Rangers and Celtic colts being admitted to Lowland league are just showing their hatred of the Old Firm rather than looking beyond this and seeing that this may be beneficial to developing young players that may help the national team in the future
— Bill Fifty-Fyfe (@bill_fyfe)
The debate is sure to rage on for weeks to come, but next season East Kilbride v Rangers Colts and Celtic Colts v Caledonian Braves - or even Cumbernauld Colts - is on the cards for Lanarkshire football fans.
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