Punters won’t be paid out winnings over four junior leagues after the grade’s main backers McBookie.com voided all bets in a row over the controversial end to the season.
The west region of the SJFA last week called the four divisions on a complicated system of who they deemed most likely winners which saw Auchinleck Talbot crowned Premiership champions despite sitting 12 points behind leaders Kilwinning Rangers with nine games in hand.
Points average - similar to the one used to call the three lower leagues of the SPFL - was one of a number of statistical tables they took into account.
Likewise League One was awarded to Shettleston and League Two to Johnstone Burgh.
But with the second tier being shared between leaders Darvel and third-placed Blantyre - because the points per game average didn’t meet with a ‘margin of error’ threshold - McBookie claim the four divisions have not produced a final points table.
The bookie has sponsored the league for five years. But their decision is just the latest twist in an extraordinary end to the season that saw league bosses slated by fans, players and even managers.
Talbot manager Tommy Sloan admitted his club wouldn't be celebrating the title while brassed-off Kilwinning counterpart Chris Strain said the sensible decision would have been to null and void the campaign.
A McBookie spokesman confirmed this afternoon: “For us to be able to settle outright divisions we need a final points table. Sadly the west region have not used one for determining final league positions.
“The SPFL for example used a points-per-game average which allowed us to see clearly who finished top and who filled placings for each-way purposes.
“Many reports are suggesting the region did use the points-per-game average but it is clear they did not otherwise there would not have been joint winners in the Championship.
“Therefore with no final points and league placings - as per our rules all bets are void.”
McBookie also sponsor the east and north regions of the junior leagues.
The east region management committee declared their season null and void a fortnight ago.
Ironically this is the final season of junior league football in the west with all 63 member clubs moving on to the newly formed West of Scotland League in tier six of the SPFL pyramid.
