Stevie Myatt has managed Preston Athletic in the Scottish Cup

We are confident that we have not only a credible bid but can offer something different from the other four candidates.

Whilst it is Preston Athletic that is applying, it is very much a bid to bring league football to the whole of East Lothian.

This is an area of nearly 100,000 that has produced players playing at international level yet these players cannot play league football in their own area.

Our bid will take the Scottish league into new areas. We are not competing with any other league clubs as there is a gap from Edinburgh to Berwick that needs to be filled.

Our current ground is capable of hosting SFL football immediately with plans in place for minor improvements that will be necessary.

It is floodlit and the new Pennypit centre behind the goal has first-class facilities for hospitality.

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The ground can be accessed easily by road and the train takes 12 minutes from the centre of Edinburgh.

However, this is not just an application for the Third Division; East Lothian Council is very progressive in developing sport and leisure and is hugely supportive in working with us.

Indeed, I expect to be able to make an announcement on Thursday that will considerably increase the credibility of our bid - but the SFL clubs will be the first to hear.

Preston Athletic is a club rooted in the community with more than 200 members playing in the youth teams.

We started life as a Junior team and embarked on a determined programme to join the Scottish League. We have now achieved full membership of the SFA and play in the Scottish Cup every season.

I am confident we will take the final step on Thursday.

The 29 SFL clubs will meet on 3 July to vote on a replacement for Gretna, who went out of business following their relegation from the Scottish Premier League.