Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Fears for the future
Latest from Airdrie and Albion Rovers
AIRDRIEONIANS Director of football Stuart Millar insists Airdrie could“quite easily” handle the return of fans amid fears for the future of lower league clubs.
The Penny Cars Stadium can hold over 10,000 supporters, which the Diamonds chief Millar reckons could comfortably hold a socially distanced crowd in League One.
Ian Murray’s men will play their first home game of the new season at New Broomfield on October 7 in the Betfred Cup against Alloa on October 7.
They are also set to open their league campaign in Monklands against Peterhead on October 17.
The Scottish Government had originally set a date for the return of fans on October 5 following test events in the Scottish Premiership, however First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week admitted any changes were “unlikely” when following the route map.
However, Millar has called for the lower league decision to be reviewed as he moved to ease the concerns over finances for Diamonds diehards.
He told the Advertiser: “We as a club financially have been very prudent in our recruitment this close season.
“We fully understand the ambition of all fans. The players, management and directors all harbour the same ambitions but we are realistic to know the impact of no supporters present is detrimental to all clubs including our own.
“I hope this can be reviewed and, as everyone is aware, we have a 10,000 seater stadium which could quite easily handle our average crowd.
“The quicker crowds are back the better for all concerned.” d.
ALBION ROVERS Albion Rovers fear for the longterm future of the club without fans – despite budgeting for empty stands at Cliftonhill until January.
Rovers’ director Colin Woodward admits there are big concerns about the cash-strapped side with the countdown on until their first Betfred Cup game against Ayr on October 6.
They will then open their League Two campaign in Coatbridge against Stenhousemuir on October 17.
With it looking increasingly likely the season will kick off without supporters, Woodward reckons it will be a massive blow for the lower league clubs.
However, he hopes the ability to stream games will act as a “lifeline” for the side.
“We could spread our fans no problem,” he said. “Our capacity is 1500.
“Even if we block part of the ground off I reckon we could fit 300 fans in there no problem at all.
“We have to be given the green light, but it looks highly unlikely we will get anyone in for the Betfred Cup or the start of the league.
“We would have been expecting a good turnout for the Ayr game as well so that’s the things you lose out on just now, but hopefully they pay for a stream to watch the game.
“The longer it goes on t h e re are obviously concerns. We have budgeted for games without fans until next year. If we could get 25 per cent of our capacity back in we would be absolutely fine.
“It’s a massive concern though, the longer we go without fans.
“There needs to be some kind of resolution to this but it’s not in our hands, we just have to get on with it as best we can.”