Three separate divisions one step below the Lowland League have come together to blast the fifth-tier competition's proposal to allow Rangers and Celtic Colt teams to enter the football pyramid.
Last week the Lowland League stated their aim to allow B teams from Glasgow's big two a place in their division - the winners of which are entered into play-offs to join the SPFL - on a one-season pilot basis.
It's the next step towards a long-held goal for both Premiership clubs who believe their players could develop in the European model of reserve teams playing in a lower division, with Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson lamenting his disappointment that SPFL clubs opposed the idea last month.
They have found a more welcoming host the next level down - but sixth-tier leagues are furious at the plans with a vote set to take place on Monday.
A lengthy joint statement released late on Sunday night from the West, East and South of Scotland leagues has made clear how there is more opposition further down the Scottish footballing pyramid.
In the release they insist they are "disappointed and dismayed" at the idea, insist they were never consulted by their Lowland League counterparts, claim the proposal is devoid of "sporting integrity" and finally argue that nothing is behind the move besides self interest and money.
The strongly-worded statement begins: "The West of Scotland, East of Scotland and South of Scotland Football Leagues are disappointed and dismayed by the proposal from the Scottish Lowland Football League (SLFL) to invite Rangers and Celtic Colt teams to join their League at tier five of the Scottish football pyramid without any discussion or consideration for clubs in the other leagues within the pyramid structure.
"If this proposal goes ahead, it will have ramifications for clubs from tier five and below, clubs who are ambitious and committed to the Scottish football pyramid and who have worked hard to meet the criteria to allow their club the opportunity to progress through the leagues.
"It is our opinion that there is no sporting integrity with this proposal, nor commitment to the pyramid from the SLFL should the permit the Old Firm Colt teams to join what will become the middle tier of the game, to play a series of friendly matches throughout the season with no prospect of either of the Colt teams gaining promotion or relegation.
"It is our understanding that this pilot is for one season only. But what happens thereafter?
"The three leagues supported the SLFL in its bid to ensure Kelty Hearts had the opportunity to play in the play-offs for a place in the SPFL next season. Now they propose a change that could potentially result in the success of the Old Firm Colts denying other clubs that same opportunity.
"It has been stated that the Colt teams could not be promoted next season but no discussion regarding this has taken place with the SPFL.
"Should one of the Colt teams win the league, what guarantee would there be that the second placed club would enter the promotion play-offs?
"The SPFL would be within their rights to deny any runners-up the opportunity to play in the SPFL play-offs as they were not the champion club and as a result existing Lowland League clubs, plus in future clubs from the other three tier six leagues and below, could be denied the same opportunity that Kelty Hearts have been given this season.
"The three leagues see no benefit in this proposal other than self interest and a small financial reward for SLFL clubs but can see a serious risk to the future of the pyramid structure in Scottish football if this is allowed to go ahead and ask all SLFL clubs to express their commitment to the pyramid by rejecting this proposal."
