Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Lookingback ononeyear withoutfans
Last weekmarked one year since Scottishfootball wasshutdown by Covid-19 on March 13, 2020.
Fans still desperately await newson when they can onceagain look outthat scarf and maketheir way toa game.
We caught up with Airdrie fankatie Robertson and Albion Rovers supporter Robert Crangle to gettheir thoughts on the frustration of the last 12 months.
Q1: How difficult has it been not attending matches?
KATIE:“I lookforward to getting out to games all week.
“Even whenwe don’t playwell ona Saturday and you’re likethat’sit I’m not going back by the Sunday afternoon I’vechanged my tune.”
ROBERT: “It leavesa huge hole in yourlife. I’ve never been so bored ona Saturday until recently.
“It’s not just missing the matches, but not being able to catch up withfellow supporters/friends, someof whomi have known for more than 40 years.”
Q2: What have you missed most about match days?
KATIE: “What Imiss the most is going toawaygames.ittendsto be just me and the wee man– that’sourtime.i love taking him to grounds he hasn’t bee to so hecan tick them off his list.
“In fact the gamethat got cancelled last year was Forfaraway. His matchn wasa 12pm kick off and we had planned to get him changed after his gamein the toilet so wecouldhead straightthere.we have a reallygood weechatand sing song in the car too.”
ROBERT: “Oh, everything. From putting on the scarfbefore you leave the house,blind optimismforthe result,frustrations withmisplaced passes, complaintsaboutrefereeing and theexpert analysis in the pub afterwards.
“Often a great performance leadsto an extra pint or twoin celebration, ora defeat requires an extra pint or twoto console oneself.”
Q3: Are you excited about returning?
KATIE: “I have mixedfeelingsabout the league returning. I’m looking forward to being able to watchmatches again but I think trying tosqueeze league games as well as cup games is crazy especiallyfor part time players who are working.
“I wouldn’t fancyplaying a matc h at Peterhead on a wettuesdaynightthen getting in my car soaked to drive home and get up earlyfor work the next day.
“Roll onnext season whenhopefully we get back to stadiumsand Saturdays are spentthe way they shouldbe.”
ROBERT: “It’s hard to get too excited when it’s looking like fans won’t be back inside stadiums until next season.
“The last time Iheard Professor Jason Leitch speak aboutit he said it could be September - still another sixmonths away.the sooner wecanget back safely, the better.”