THE manager of Sauchie Juniors has branded the decision to omit the club from the Stirlingshire Cup a “disgrace”.

Fraser Duncan was left seething following the announcement that the historic competition was being brought back, but without his side.

As reported by the Advertiser earlier this week, the Stirlingshire Cup will be reinstated for the 2024/25 season.

It will be contested by the six member clubs within the Stirlingshire FA – Alloa, Stirling Albion, Falkirk, Stenhousemuir, East Stirlingshire and Dumbarton.

Now, the Sauchie boss has hit out at the decision not to include his side or other neighbouring smaller clubs.

Commenting under the announcement post made by the East Stirlingshire Facebook page, Duncan said: “This is a disgrace of a decision.

“Camelon, Dunipace and Sauchie Juniors have got as much right as any other club in this competition but yet again it's the auld pals act and just share it between themselves.

“We as a club are extremely disappointed and would hope the Stirlingshire Cup association change this decision to include all teams, not just the ones they want to pick.

“Sauchie Juniors pay our SFA licence fee like all these clubs yet [get] overlooked again.

“All teams should be included, just sums up Scottish football’s pyramid scheme. If it suits, it’s fine.”

The draw for the Stirlingshire Cup was made during the associations annual general meeting on Wednesday, May 29.

This placed Alloa, Stirling and East Stirlingshire into one group, while Dumbarton, Falkirk and Stenhousemuir made up group two.