By bobmcp
May 6 2016

East Stirlingshire’s Chris Townsley, who hails from Edinburgh, has told the Evening News he would love to see his home city gain a third representative in the SPFL alongside Hearts and Hibs – as long as it doesn’t happen this year.  

“Any other year, I’d be happy for City to win,” admitted the twenty-nine year-old defender. “Going forward next year, hopefully one of the Lowland League teams are in the same position – as long as I’m not involved with the other team!

“I played for Spartans, so I know there’s potential for clubs in that league to make the step up. Any other season, I’d be hoping Edinburgh City got promoted. It’s just unfortunate that I’m involved with East Stirlingshire and we’re the ones looking over our shoulders. Despite that, I think these play-offs are definitely the way forward.

“I know a few people have mentioned that it should be a straight play-off between the Highland League and the Lowland League for promotion, but everyone knows the rules to start with. If the team that wants to get promoted wants to be in the league, they should have to beat the team at the bottom. That’s the way we’re looking at it.”

“There’s a long history of league football for Shire which is at stake,” said Townsley. “The players aren’t really partial to the financial implications, but it would be huge for the club. Everyone’s trying to pull in the right direction and make sure it doesn’t happen.”