Slater warns of club oblivion minus fans
Lanark United boss Colin Slater has warned that starting the West of Scotland League season without fans will force clubs to the wall – and says a decision needs to be made.
Slater says fans play a huge role in football, not just financially, and says he wants them back as soon as possible, even if that means delaying kick-off.
He said: “If they start the season without supporters it’s going to be the end for a lot of clubs.
“Ourselves and St Roch’s are 100 years old this year, so they need to consider that.
“If clubs go to the wall it’s going to be a disaster.
“These are worrying times, and I don’t think it’s going to change anytime soon.
“From my point of view, and of Lanark United, we need to head towards the dates that the league is telling us, but I think somebody’s going to need to stand up and make a decision.
“We’re either going to need to start without fans and if that’s what they go with we need to give it a try, and if they want to change the start date or put it back to next year or something.
“After that somebody needs to make a decision and they need to make that soon.
“Another thing we have as well is that we’re playing a friendly through the week there at Dalziel, on a hired park with a referee and all that, and it’s costing us the best part of £200, so clubs can’t keep doing that.
“We need to keep the guys fit, keep them sharp, for if this date does come to fruition, but for me somebody needs to make a decision.
“Personally I don’t think it’s a difficult decision to make, but it’s way above me.”
Slater says the Yowes will go with whatever decision is given to them and will work towards returning whenever possible.
He said: “I know there was a West of Scotland League survey done.
“One of the questions on that was ‘what are your thoughts on no spectators’, and ‘what do the players think of not getting use of facilities’ and all this.
“The boys want to play football and supporters are a big part of your Saturday; people enjoying performances that you can put on for them, and on the back of that clubs need finance.
“Clubs are not going to survive.”