OFFICIALS at Victoria Park are preparing to take Vale of Leithen out of the East of Scotland leagues.

The Scottish Football Association held a meeting with non-league clubs on Monday at Hampden over the formation of a Lowland League.

And a vote by the member clubs was almost unanimously in favour.

Although no representative from Vale of Leithen was at Hampden - the Innerleithen club is still committed to joining next season's Lowland League.

Secretary Alec Currie said: "Improvement work is ongoing at Victoria Park with a view to being ready for the Lowland League.

"We weren't at Hampden but we have indicated to the SFA that we want to take part."

It is understood that 15 clubs from the East, South and Junior FAs voted with a show of hands at the national stadium to take part in the new set up as part of a proposed pyramid system for Scottish football.

And the same 15 elected to be part of the league even if the planned pyramid system stalled at next week's Scottish Football League reconstruction meeting.

Gala Fairydean, Selkirk and Hawick Royal Albert are also aiming to step up.

Bill Berry from Gala Fairydean told us: "I think we will be playing in the Lowland League next season.

"Everyone wants a new challenge and this ticks all the right boxes for us."

The East of Scotland FA held its own meeting last night to discuss the expected exodus of up to 11 teams.

It was expected that a Hibs Under 21s team would be welcomed into the East First Division and a debate was expected over Spartans Juniors and Gala Rovers being allowed to replace their senior teams.