Rattray look for a boost with new players plea

A Perthshire amateur football team has put out a plea for players ahead of the 2020/21 season.

Uncertainty surrounds when the campaign will kick-off, with the Scottish FA this week noting mid-October as the earliest possible date for the return of grassroots competition.

But Division Two Rattray are keen to bolster their ranks after losing players.

“We are actively seeking players in all positions for the coming season,”the club posted on social media.

“Despite no restart date, we would be looking to restart training in the coming weeks dependent on numbers.

“Last year was a major rebuild effort, when we lost six-plus members of the squad and manager, but thankfully did so a lot easier than at present.

“COVID [is] certainly playing its part at the moment. This season’s rebuild is a nightmare in all honesty.

“Currently we have lost 10-plus boys so far, moving onto junior, other amateur clubs or mainly work/family/other commitments opting them to give up - all understandable. Any players or coaches interested in coming along would be most welcome in any capacity.”

Many of the region’s clubs have returned to training following the coronavirus outbreak, with additional safety measures in place. Competitive action still appears a long way off, however.

An update from the Grassroots Joint Response Group this week read: “In conjunction with the Scottish Government and sportscotland, the Scottish FA is working on a staged approach which may allow competition to return by late autumn, with mid-October identified as the earliest possible date.”