Edinburgh City have successfully met the new 'bronze licence' requirements set by the Scottish FA, chairman John Dickson has confirmed.
This announcement has eased concerns about the club's future within the Scottish Professional Football League.
Previously, several teams, including Airdrieonians, Cove Rangers, Kelty Hearts, Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic, and Peterhead, only held the 'entry level' licence. However, the bronze award has now become mandatory for Scotland's top four leagues.
To obtain the bronze licence, clubs must ensure that their manager and one of the first-team coaches hold a UEFA B licence coaching badge. Additionally, the requirement for a club doctor at home games and a minimum of 500 covered spaces for supporters, up from 100 at the entry level, have been met by Edinburgh City.
This achievement ensures that Edinburgh City, who were relegated from League One last season and lost several key members of their playing squad, can continue to compete within the Scottish football pyramid.
The news should also help provide stability and confidence going into the 2024/25 campaign after months of intense speculation over the capital outfit's long-term progression.
"Following a period of intense speculation over recent months, I am delighted to confirm that the club has achieved confirmation that it meets bronze licence criteria," Dickson said in a club statement.
"Over the last six months, the club has frankly been through some of the most challenging times in its history, however with today’s announcement, I hope that we can now begin to face the future with renewed optimism.
"I must express my sincerest thanks to the SFA licensing committee, who have worked with the club throughout the process, extending their advice and experience to us, which has been extremely helpful, and on behalf of the club, I extend our warmest gratitude.
"Although achieving the bronze licence is the culmination of a massive amount of work behind the scenes, I actually see it as the beginning of a new chapter for the club.
"We have a committed management team, led by Michael McIndoe, who has been working tirelessly to build an almost entirely new squad over the summer break and I am excited to see how this group gels over the coming weeks.
"My feeling is that the energy already building will transfer to our supporters, whose patience I know has been severely tested over in recent times. The club has been quiet, and necessarily so, whilst we worked on the licensing process, however I want to assure our supporters that our silence was not indicative of inactivity, quite the reverse.
"We go into this season with renewed optimism on all fronts, so please keep an eye on our socials in the coming days and weeks, as we have a tremendous amount of news to come. I know it has not been easy supporting our club of late, but please keep the faith, I genuinely believe it will be worth it.
"Yours in sport, John Dickson, Chairman."
