The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Fears for the future of grassroots football as lockdown bites hard
As rows rumble on in the upper echelons of Scottish football over the completion of the 2019/20 season and the set-up for the next campaign, there are a number of clubs outwith the SPFL that not only fear for their own future but also the future of grassroots football once the threat of the Covid-19 virus has eased.
The East of Scotland League are still to announce their conference set-up for the new season – partly due to question marks over possible promotions but also due to no real knowledge of when a new season will be able to start – and the East Region juniors are in a similar position.
The East Region of the SJFA also have the problem of restructuring following the departure of more clubs to the East of Scotland League and a spokesman said: “We have been working on our structure for the forthcoming season and expect to have 17 clubs in the Tayside and Angus region.
“We have options available as to how a full season may look. However, we are in a difficult position because the prospect of making a start in August is looking unlikely, particularly when you consider the rumoured guidelines for playing.
“Our clubs don’t have anything like the crowds of the SPL and social distancing wouldn’t be a problem.
“However, it’s not just about the supporters, you have the issues affecting the players, specifically dressing room facilities.”
The clubs in both the East Region and East of Scotland League are in the middle of communities and have a role beyond that of football on a Saturday afternoon and there is a real concern among them for their futures.
Brechin Vics secretary Brian Eaton told the Courier: “We are lucky, as we held our sportsman’s dinner at the end of February but we still have bills to pay like gas and electricity as well as keeping the ground maintained and with no income coming in things could change very quickly.
“The prospect of no football fills me with dread. Players could be lost to the game for good as the financial implications will kick in for them and priorities will be different.
“We have strong links with the youth set-up in Brechin and who knows how that relationship will be if there is no football.
“Having said that, this situation won’t be solved by the flick of a switch and any decision shouldn’t be taken lightly and it should be monitored before a return is considered.”
Dundee Violet’s Andy Heggie admitted the club’s financial position wasn’t great before the virus struck.
He explained: “We are in the early stages of a rebuilding process and this will have serious implications on how we come out the other side.
“We have worked hard on our players’ wellbeing with online group chats and have tried to keep them motivated but that will get harder the longer we go without football.”
Thornton Hibs are one of the clubs set to move from the juniors to the East of Scotland League .
Boss Craig Gilbert confirmed it will become more difficult for clubs the longer Covid-19 hangs around .
He said: “We have made the move to the EOSL and have work that needs to be completed on the ground but obviously that can’t be done.
“Guys are already asking when they will be able to come back to training. They are itching to get going and their state of mind isn’t helped by what they are seeing on television and social media.”
Wellbeing and mental health is at the forefront of a lot of clubs’ thoughts and is a real issue.
Mental health charity Back Onside has been overwhelmed with players and staff involved in football asking for help and has put record numbers of clients in touch with counselling and support mechanisms and expect these numbers to continue to rise as the crisis continues.
Carnoustie Panmure assistant secretary Andy Finlay agreed football is not a priority in the bigger picture.
“Junior clubs are struggling. Grassroots clubs are at the centre of communities and do other things as well as football and it is important that this isn’t forgotten,” he said.
“We have spoken to MP Stewart Hosie and he agrees that non-league clubs can’t be forgotten and said he would speak to Joe Fitzpatrick MSP, minister for public health, sport and wellbeing, regarding the importance of grassroots clubs.”