Buckie Thistle’s Highland League title hopes could be decided on Thursday night when they will answer a charge they listed an ineligible player – midfielder Callum Murray – on the bench for Saturday’s goalless draw away to Formartine United.
Murray, who was an unused substitute at North Lodge Park, spent time on loan at Highland League rivals Deveronvale earlier this season before being recalled by Buckie last week and league rules state any player who moves club after March is not eligible to play for his new club.
Buckie could be docked three points and fined up to £500 if found guilty, although officials at the Victoria Park club stress they believe they have not broken any rules after claiming they took guidance from Highland League secretary Rod Houston.
Murray had been on loan to Deveronvale but on Friday Buckie decided to recall him as their squad was stretched due to three key players, defender Craig Dorrat, midfielder Craig Cowie and attacker Sam Urquhart, being out injured.
The Scottish Highland Football League competition rules state: “Any player registered with a Scottish Professional Football League or a Scottish Highland Football League Club whose registration is cancelled with the Scottish FA, or who is subject of a transfer between any combination of the aforementioned clubs, on or after March 31, cannot play for any other club during the current season.”
Highland League secretary Houston could not be reached for comment but league president Dennis Bridgeford said: “Due to a controversy regarding the Buckie game on Saturday I have called meeting of the management committee members on Thursday night to discuss the matter.”
Buckie president Garry Farquhar was adamant his club had done nothing wrong and said: “I really don’t know why this meeting has been called. We feel everything is above board and has been done correctly in this matter, and I also took advice on the issue from Highland League secretary Rod Houston.”
Buckie had seemed certainties for the league title after Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Formartine at North Lodge Park where Murray was an unused substitute.
Brora top the Highland table on 81 points having completed their fixtures. Both Buckie and Cove Rangers are on 79 points and Thistle would win the title on goal difference from Cove should they defeat bottom club Strathspey Thistle at home, even if rivals Cove defeat Lossiemouth.