Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
’Port appeal pays off as juniors feel pinch
MUCH has been written about the financial plight senior clubs find t hemselves i n due to the current coronavirus pandemic but it is no less serious for junior clubs.
Clubs have been hit hard with no income through gate receipts since the season ended in early March and, with no early end in sight, there is a very real danger that some will struggle to survive.
The problem facing all clubs is highlighted by Tayport, who were so concerned that they put out an appeal to supporters and the local community for financial assistance to help with the running costs.
Canniepairt chairman Dave Baikie made the following points in his appeal.
He said: “Our income is largely raised from car boot sales, gate receipts and various other fund raisers, all of which have had to be suspended.
“We now find ourselves in a very difficult position with no income and virtually no funds.
“In the short term we have managed to reduce some of our running costs but we still have bills like gas and electricity to pay.
“There is uncertainty around when we can start up again, therefore our financial position is very bleak and places the very existence of the club in doubt.
“To help us through this period, I would, through desperation, ask for any form of financial assistance you can offer at this time.”
The good news for the Fifers is the local community has rallied together since the appeal and the club would like to go on record and thank those who have contributed.
However, other clubs might not be so lucky and can only pray they can see themselves through the current crisis and live to fight another day.
Since the decision was taken to end all fixtures and subsequently declare the season null and void, most clubs agree the ERJFA had little option but to end proceedings the way they did, declaring the leagues null and void.
Lochee United manager George Shields said: “How can you award any team the league when the league fixtures have not been completed. You just have to look at the farce in the west with a team sitting sixth in one of their leagues being awarded the title.
“Our league would have been shared had the title been based on average points and, personally, I would not want to share a title with one of our opponents.”
Despite being denied the opportunity of reaching their first ever Scottish Cup semi final, Broughty Athletic president Jim Finlayson agreed with Shields.
He said: “I feel it was the only solution as this was something nobody could have predicted and I can’t see us playing again until at least October.”
Finlayson also commented on the farcical situation in the west and highlighted the fact that even Auchinleck Talbot manager Tommy Sloan was embarrassed to accept the title even though they were lying third in the league.
While the majority of clubs agreed with the decision, the two clubs topping the Super and
Premier Leagues were, not surprisingly, less than happy.
East Craigie, who had gone 19 games undefeated and were odds on to lift the Premier League title were shattered by the decision and are understood to have lodged an appeal with the SJFA and, understandably, will make no official comment until the appeal is heard.
Carnoustie led the Super league when the season ended and felt the decision was hard to take.
Gowfers general manager Mark Johnson said: “It has been my consistent belief that declaring a season null and void is not an acceptable decision in any league.
“However, at our level it is made worse because a lot of players play for the love of the game and not to award us the title after so many games had been played is wrong.”
Carnoustie manager Phil McGuire felt a much fairer way would have been to decide the title on average points but, as previously highlighted, this is not without controversy.