Shutdown is understandable says Swifts boss
McDiarmid Park remains open but players will not be in for training this week.
The club stated the health and wellbeing of the players, staff and supporters is of paramount importance and that they will continue to follow the guidance from the
Scottish Government and Scottish football authorities with regards to the pandemic.
“Whilst we are disappointed that the match against Hibernian will not be going ahead the club accepts the decision made by the Scottish football authorities regarding the suspension of domestic competitions until further notice,” Saints’head of football operations Robertson said on Friday.
“As a club, we have followed all guidelines around good hygiene in an attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19 and the impact it would have on football and our day-to-day commercial activities.
“Today [Friday] we have witnessed football authorities from other countries, including our neighbours in England, make similar decisions to suspend matches.
“The club will keep supporters updated with regards to when domestic football will be able to resume as soon as we have that information.”
Saints went on to state that they will be announcing details for those who had already pre-purchased tickets for last weekend’s match against Hibernian at Easter Road.
“We encourage all fans and visitors to McDiarmid Park to take precautions and practice good hygiene to protect themselves from COVID-19,”the statement concluded.
Ian Maxwell
Kirsten Robertson
Jeanfield Swifts manager Ross Gunnion believes the club will not face the brunt of any financial implications brought on by football’s current lockdown.
East of Scotland League action has been cancelled until further notice as the country joins together to attempt to halt the spread of coronavirus.
All levels of football are affected and Gunnion said:“We’re in a fortunate position, probably more than most, where we don’t necessarily rely on gate receipts to tick over.
“We have built up a bit of income over the years and run things pretty sensibly. We are lucky in that respect and have the community club side of things.
“But there will definitely be other clubs that will be feeling this. Teams that rely on getting big crowds through the door, it will definitely impact them.”
Swifts will be reviewing how they move forward in the coming weeks and whether or not players will continue to train as a group or on an individual basis.
“Understandable is probably the best way to describe it, especially when it comes down to the health of players and spectators,” Gunnion said of the situation.
“Right through our youth teams, as a community club, it is something we support and we will do everything required.
“The East of Scotland League has been good at communicating and we now fall directly under the remit of the SFA.
“We knew there was going to be an announcement but didn’t know fully what it was going to be.
“We thought we may have got the weekend fixtures out of the way before a period of shutdown.
“We’re discussing at the moment how to move forward. We’re wanting to take a club-wide stance of what is going to be beneficial and what is not.
“We will take a little bit of time to review that. We will put in place plans, whether that is training or players doing individual programmes.
“In the next week or so it will become a bit clearer in terms of what we can and cannot do.
“We had the weekend completely off and we will review it towards the middle of the week. Everything is changing on a daily basis at the moment.”
Swifts have been playing their football in the East of Scotland Premier Division this season and currently sit ninth in the 16 team league.
They were penned in to travel for a league fixture with Blackburn United on Saturday afternoon before the lockdown was announced.
Fellow East of Scotland League side Kinnoull, who ply their trade in the First Division Conference A, had been scheduled to take on Leith Athletic.
In the Juniors, the involvement of Scone Thistle and Luncarty in the North Super League is currently suspended, as is that of Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus in the North Premier League.
A Scone statement noted:“Scone Thistle FC fully support this decision which has been made to safeguard the health of supporters, players, volunteers and coaching staff of all clubs. We will keep you informed of any plans to reinstate league fixtures as and when we hear them.
“In the meantime, please continue to follow NHS advice on coronavirus, stay safe and wash your hands!”