Annan 'best suited' for SFL place

Annan Athletic are in the running for a place in Division Three

Annan Athletic may miss out on Scottish Football League membership despite a senior SFL insider saying they are the club best equipped to join.

Cove Rangers, Edinburgh City, Preston Athletic and Spartans are the other clubs seeking a spot in Division Three.

One SFL source told BBC Sport: "Only Annan Athletic can hit the ground running when the league season starts."

However, there is a fear that SFL clubs may vote on the basis of proximity and the Dumfriesshire side could miss out.

All five grounds of the potential entrants have now been visited and BBC Sport can reveal that all eight members of the visiting committee favour Annan's bid.

There are understood to be a number of concerns about the facilities at each of the other grounds.

Highland League champions Cove Rangers are planning a new stadium, while Edinburgh-based Spartans have already started construction on a new home but it will not be in place for the start of the league campaign.

"We think our crowds would be about average for the Third Division," Annan chairman Henry McClelland told BBC Sport.

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"We are the best supported club in the East of Scotland League and people will come from Carlisle and Gretna to watch us.

"We can expect attendances of 500 to 1000."

The 29 SFL clubs will meet on 3 July to vote in the club to replace Gretna.