WEST FIFE'S three newest East of Scotland League clubs now know the identity of their opponents after next season's set-up was confirmed.

Crossgates Primrose, who announced their intention to leave junior football in April, a newly-formed senior Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts and Oakley United – who made a late application for membership – were admitted to the league at its AGM last Thursday.

United's surprise inclusion comes just a month after secretary Dougie Hynd told Press Sport that they would "remain a member of the East Region and the SJFA (Scottish Junior Football Association)" following the moves made by Primrose and the Swifts.

But, following a meeting and a committee vote, they were one of a further 13 clubs who were admitted, taking the total of competing clubs to 39.

The league, which consisted of 13 teams and was won by Kelty Hearts last season, will now consist of three, 13-team conferences, with the winners of each then playing in a round robin play-off to determine the overall championship winners.

The conferences were drawn based on last season's league standings, with existing East of Scotland teams placed first, followed by the ex-junior clubs and then Inverkeithing.

Richard Fox's Oakley, who finished fourth in the South Division after a run of 11 wins, one draw and one defeat from their final 13 games, have been drawn in Conference 'A', where they will play Hawick Royal Albert, Leith Athletic, Peebles Rovers, Coldstream, Tweedmouth Rangers, Penicuik Athletic, Hill of Beath Hawthorn, Newtongrange Star, Musselburgh Athletic, Dunbar United, Arniston Rangers and Easthouses Lily.

Crossgates, who placed seventh in Oakley's division, are in Conference 'B' alongside Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale, who finished second to Kelty in the campaign just past, Tynecastle, Burntisland Shipyard, Eyemouth United, Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic, Dundonald Bluebell, Bo'ness United, Sauchie, Haddington Athletic, Tranent, Dalkeith Thistle and Dunipace.

Inverkeithing, under the management of Lee Richardson, are in Conference 'C', with their opponents including Preston Athletic, Heriot-Watt University, Stirling University, Ormiston, Linlithgow Rose, Broxburn United, Camelon Juniors, Jeanfield Swifts, Blackburn United, St Andrews United, Edinburgh United and Craigroyston.

Three separate cup draws were also made and, in the South Challenge Cup, Crossgates have been drawn at home to Hill of Beath; Inverkeithing will host Craigroyston; Oakley United will travel to Edinburgh University; and Kelty will play Lochmaben.

In the King Cup, also won by Kelty last season, Primrose will go to Dundonald or Eyemouth; Inverkeithing travel to Ormiston; and Oakley will host Preston or Haddington.

The final draw to be made was for the Alex Jack Cup, in which Oakley go to Penicuik, Crossgates host Eyemouth, and Inverkeithing travel to Edinburgh United.

Kelty last season became the first club to make the switch from junior football to the East of Scotland League and, since then, a number of others have followed their lead for next season.

Although East of Scotland junior membership has dropped from 60 clubs to 36, the SJFA say that junior football will continue to be played in the forthcoming campaign.