Locking fans out costing Shotts thousands

John McKeown reckons missing fans would be a financial body-blow to Shotts – but he’d just be happy to start the West of Scotland League in the midst of Scottish Government restrictions.

The Bonny have been forced to scrap their full pre-season calendar after Nicola Sturgeon placed new regulations on Glasgow, Renfrewshire and Ayshire.

McKeown reckons clubs will be lucky to even kick-off the new era on October 10, never mind have crowds cheering them from the stands.

“It’s a difficult time for all of the clubs, but, for me, I’m just praying we get a league season,”said the gaffer.

“There are loads of regulations in place and teams can only play teams from a similar area just now.

“So far we have had to reschedule our full pre-season. We had planned to play against Pollok but can’t because of the restrictions on Glasgow. We planned for Glencairn in Rutherglen, but is there going to be a restriction on travelling from North to South Lanarkshire? We don’t know.

“To me it’s totally baffling, so I can’t imagine how the people trying to plan fixtures feel.“

McKeown added:“Along with fans not getting back into grounds, it doesn’t paint a very good picture.

“It’s a blow if the fans don’t get back in. The club has lost thousands from not being able to use the social club for weddings and functions, and we would really need that gate money.

“The way things are spiralling just now, you just try to be optimistic.”