The return of Scottish football on Saturday was a step into the unknown – not just for the players and coaches of the clubs – but also for those fortunate enough to be permitted access into a stadium.
Pittodrie was the venue to kick-off the new normal and it was a peculiar change in circumstance to put it mildly.
There were more people in the directors box than there was media permitted to watch Aberdeen take on Rangers but what we all shared in common was the dress code with masks and social distancing the order of the day.
The restrictions and cautious approach to the return of live sport was evident before any journalist even set foot in the ground with admission limited to just 15 people.
With Sunday newspapers, the dailies, evening papers and local radio stations counted among us it is clear for a game of this magnitude that letting everyone in is going to be a difficult task for press offices across the country.
Having been one of the lucky few to be allowed in the four page long set of protocols quickly highlighted just how different this was all going to be.
Masks on at all times and a temperature check prior to entering are non-negotiable. I’m happy to report I was a healthy 35.8 degrees.
Even the famous Pittodrie pie is off the menu as kiosks remain closed for business due to no fans in attendance.
There we were, spaced out in the Main Stand, guided by a one-way system to watch a game which would usually have 18,000 minimum in the place.
Well, for the first time in almost 5 months, here’s the line-ups for Aberdeen v Rangers pic.twitter.com/9DlBPqMuii
— Paul Third (@PJ_PThird) August 1, 2020
Afterwards, even the press room was off limits with journalists having to nominate colleagues to step forward and ask questions for the respective newspapers and keep a distance.
It’s not what anyone is used to but for the foreseeable future it’s how life covering football will be for journalists.
For the fans, it’s one down, 37 to go. How many of those 37 remaining matches will require the support to watch from home is anyone’s guess.
But one thing is clear – we had all better get used to a different matchday experience.