Amateur football to return – but without a few familiar names

Amateur football returns tomorrow – and after the lull it’s been a long way back for most Midlands sides – but regrettably there have been a few casualties en route.

It was already known pre- coronavirus that Tayside Fire Brigade, with some 40 years membership of MAFA, were off to the Saturday Morning League and that Lochee United, teetering before the virus, were unable to muster the resources to continue once the epidemic struck.

In terms of quality, Forfar- based Lowson United were the biggest loss to the association with their shift to the junior ranks coming at a time when they were one of three clubs in a good position to lift the Premier League title.

Not that this mattered as the MAFA AGM has agreed to disband all the league competitions from last season.

Lowson kicked off in the old For far shire League in the 1960s and will now play under the name For far United, having merged with Forfar Albion to contest the SJFA Premiership North League.

With Covid-19 still prevalent and safety a concern, both Kirriemuir Thistle and Montrose have decided to go into abeyance for the 2020-21 season but are hopeful they will reform next year. Also falling by the wayside were Shotz and Polo ni a, which necessitated MAFA to restructure the league into a single senior championship with 15 sides.

With winter approaching and the possibility of coronavirus perhaps leading to some cancellations, each side will compete against the others only once – seven games at home and seven away.

The Alliance set-up has still to be sorted out, although the possibility of reverting to two balanced leagues will be considered once the restrictions are assessed next year.

It seems that both the North of Tay and Scottish cups will be shelved this season but the quarterfinalists in the North of Tay Cup will play their outstanding matches so that there is a 2020 winner.

All amateur matches are required to comply with current Covid-19 regulations which means no spectators are allowed.

The teams making up the Premier League for 2020-21 are Broughty United, Barn hill, Carnoustie Panmure YM, Finavon, Menzieshill AFC, Arbroath Harp, AHSFP, Wellbank, Fintry, Brechin, Invergowrie, Morgan Academy FP, Merpro, Newport and Forfar Athletic.