October restart huge risk for League 2, say Brechin

Brechin City insist League Two clubs are taking a huge risk by agreeing to start the new season on October 17.

Teams in the fourth tier voted for the campaign to begin in three months’ time last Friday despite the continued uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

Brechin also claim philanthropist James Anderson’s £50,000 donation to each club will have been used up on Covid-19 testing just 12 games into the new campaign.

A statement read: “Most likely influenced by the general feeling right now around the early stage loosening of restrictions in general, the view amongst the League Two clubs was to opt for the earlier – but hugely more risky – October option.

“Much has been made of the philanthropic donation of £50k to all SPFL clubs – and rightly so as it’s an incredibly generous and hugely welcome gesture.

“However, this should not be seen simply as a windfall or free money.

“Unless there is a significant softening in Covid-19 testing requirements, this additional funding will have largely run its course by the time we’re around 12 games into the season – such is the financial severity of what clubs of our size are facing, and the risk we’re taking in committing to an October re-start date.”

Meanwhile leaving Brechin are the experienced quartet of Rhys McCabe, Dougie Hill, Ryan McCord and Paul McManus, along with Lee Duncanson, Luke Watt, Chris McLaughlin and Ross Crawford.