SPFL set for Helicopter Saturday

The William Hill League 1 and League 2 title races are set for a thrilling final-day conclusion tomorrow (Saturday 2 May) - with a helicopter and people carrier ready to deliver the trophies to the winners.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle currently sit two points clear of Stenhousemuir at the top of William Hill League 1, with East Kilbride three points ahead of The Spartans at the William Hill League 2 summit.

Scott Kellacher’s side know a win at home to Hamilton Academical will clinch their return to the William Hill Championship, although a draw may be enough given their superior goal difference, with Darian MacKinnon’s Hamilton also aiming to win to avoid finishing in ninth place.

Gary Naymith’s Stenhousemuir head to Montrose looking for a win to keep their title hopes alive, and the chance to win their second ever league title just two years after winning their first when they won William Hill League 2 in season 2023/24.

In William Hill League 2, Mick Kennedy’s East Kilbride know a draw at home to Clyde will be enough to clinch promotion. Second-placed The Spartans know they need to win away at Stirling Albion and Dougie Samuel’s men currently sit five goals behind East Kilbride on goal difference.

The SPFL has arranged a PDG helicopter and a people carrier and each will travel with a trophy to a site midway between the competing stadia late on Saturday afternoon. Given the distance between Inverness and Montrose, the helicopter will deliver the William Hill League 1 trophy, while the people carrier will transport the William Hill League 2 trophy to either East Kilbride’s K Park or Stirling Albion’s Forthbank Stadium.

When the champions of both divisions are confirmed, each trophy will then be swiftly delivered to the grounds and presented to the winners in front of their supporters.

It is the first time a helicopter will have been used in an SPFL trophy presentation since season 2017/18, when Ayr United pipped Raith Rovers to win William Hill League 1, and Montrose finished one point ahead of Peterhead to win William Hill League 2.

Neil Doncaster, SPFL group chief executive, said: “It’s been an incredible SPFL season across our four divisions, and we’re hugely excited to see the William Hill League 1 and League 2 title races go right down to the wire.

“It’s the first time in eight seasons we’ll have had a helicopter on standby to deliver one of our trophies, which adds an extra sense of drama to the day.

“We’re sure it will be a memorable day for supporters, and we want to wish the four clubs the very best of luck for their matches.”