Joint Response Group agree to October 3 return for junior sides

Non-league clubs in Tayside and Fife have been given a boost when the Grassroots Committee of the SFA Joint Response Group gave indicative dates for a return to football.

The majority of clubs have returned to light training following tthe coronavirus lockdown, albeit in small groups.

However, the statement gave August 24 as the date for contact training to begin, although no advice on numbers was given but it is expected to be 10 with a rise to a full squad in time.

Local friendlies are to be permitted from September 14 with conditions applied and it is understood that these could be behind closed doors initially.

A return to competitive action has been pencilled in for Saturday October 3 – again subject to conditions and guidelines which have yet to be announced.

Andy Finlay, Covid co-ordinator at Carnoustie Panmure, said: “Obviously we are delighted that the light at the end of the tunnel is looking quite a bit brighter.

“However, it will be far from what we are used to – we will have to work to a new set of guidelines.

“Friendly games will probably need to be behind closed doors initially while we get used to the guidelines relating to the playing side and then we will hopefully re-introduce supporters.

“The situation in Aberdeen has already put a question mark over things and at the end of the day public health is the most important factor in all this.”

The SJFA general secretary Tom Johnston is to leave his position at the end of November.