Bo'ness United and East Stirlingshire could be in proposed new league set-up next term

Proposals to shake up the existing 18-team fifth tier set-up – which are believed to have been lodged by Brechin City – would see two new 16-team Lowland League East and West Divisions established to run alongside the Highland League, with plans put to the SPFL and SFA’s pyramid working group this month.

If ratified and then granted final approval by the SFA’s executive board, the new divisions could come into place in time for the start of the 2025-’26 campaign.

This would see Bo’ness United and East Stirlingshire in beside Berwick Rangers, Brechin City, Broxburn Athletic, Civil Service Strollers, Cowdenbeath, Gala Fairydean Rovers, Hearts ‘B’, Linlithgow Rose, Tranent, Stirling University, Musselburgh Athletic, Hill of Beath Hawthorn, Jeanfield Swifts and Haddington Athletic in the East Division.

Lowland League leaders East Kilbride are hoping to win promotion to William Hill League Two for next season, but if unsuccessful then under the new proposals they would take their place in the West Division along with Albion Rovers, Broomhill, Caledonian Braves, Celtic ‘B’, Cumbernauld Colts, Gretna, Dalbeattie Star, Auchinleck Talbot, Benburb, Clydebank, Cumnock, Darvel, Glenafton, Pollok and Irvine Meadow.

Should East Kilbride go up from the Lowland League, their place could potentially go to SFA Licensed club Rutherglen Glencairn, who are currently in the West of Scotland first division promotion race.