AMATEUR FOOTBALL Future is up in the air at Thorn, admits McGee
Thorn Athletic chairman Mark McGee has admitted the future is unknown for all the club’s players, coaches and officials amid the coronavirus crisis.
Football in Scotland has been in lockdown from top to bottom for more than a fortnight after the Scottish Football Association ordered the suspension of all activities.
Thorn’s teams compete in the Caledonian
Premier League, Paisley, Johnstone & District YFL, Glasgow & District Youth Football League and the Scottish Women’s Football League.
The club has more than 270 members, making it the biggest in Johnstone and the priority of club officials is to keep everyone safe during the outbreak.
But club chief McGee expects significant upheaval when the crisis is finally over as their teams try and return to normality.
He said:“This is a very difficult time for everyone at our club and the wider football community across Scotland.
“We are doing our best to provide regular updates to all our players, coaches and officials to ensure they stay safe during this challenging time.
“Apart from the obvious impact on fitness and physical health, this will also have an effect on the mental health of many of our individuals who rely on football for many reasons.”
And McGee also expects the hangover from the shutdown to be long lasting.
Several teams were due to travel abroad and others were entered in summer tournaments and events which have now been axed.
He added:“There is no confirmed date for a resumption as yet but when we are able to return to activities there will be huge challenges.
“Some of our competitive teams are unsure if they will be able to complete their seasons, whether there will be a delay to next season or will everything be scrapped.
“There will be a lot of rescheduling to be done and whatever the outcome, this will require the support and understanding of everyone involved.
“For teams that were looking forward to trips and tournaments there will be bitter disappointment but we have to put these things into perspective and hope that the kids can get to experience these things further down the line.”