Keith chairman Andy Troup is hopeful of an October start for the Highland League after Scotland moved into phase three of its lockdown restrictions.
Although the resumption of non-professional contact sports is not due before July 31, indoor hospitality – vital for Highland League clubs – is permitted from July 15 with guidelines in place.
A further update is due from the Scottish Government on July 30, however the Championship, League One and League Two are all slated for an October start.
“I’m in constant dialogue with the league,” said Troup. “I’m good friends with the secretary and I’m on the management committee. I always said I thought it would be January but I didn’t think we would be in phase three already.
“October would be fantastic but obviously the most important thing is people’s safety. There’s a lot to be considered by October.
“We’re waiting to guidelines on what things can be put in place at the ground. Do we need hand sanitiser, two-metre markings around the ground? There will be stuff that has to be changed and hopefully the costs won’t be too severe.”
Troup noted the release from the Scottish FA last week, stating elite clubs could reduce their testing from twice a week to once from Monday. With the cost at £50 a test insurmountable for Highland League clubs, Troup is optimistic of a further reduction come the autumn.
“No Highland League club would be able to pay for that,” said Troup. “But by the end of September or start of October, it might be down to zero (testing).
“Another big factor is the hospitality side. We wouldn’t survive just on our crowds coming to games. We pride ourselves on what we offer and that’s testament to people coming back time and again. It’s key for the football club moving forward in keeping the lights on.”
Troup has been working with the club’s commercial team on various innovative sponsorship schemes, in a bid to keep businesses on board despite the financial hurt they will have suffered during the pandemic.
He said: “We have come up with a few ideas to make things cheaper for businesses, as we know they have had a hard time as well. We know it’s important to keep them on board for the future, rather than take money off them when we know they don’t have it.”
Players and staff agreed to a pay freeze when lockdown began and they will not be paid again until football resumes. Troup has seen the running costs vastly reduce and has been able to give the go-ahead to infrastructure upgrades at Kynoch Park.
The boardroom has been renovated, the pitch improved, new doors put on the turnstiles and the iconic gates resprayed and repainted, with volunteers providing the backbone of the workforce.
Troup said: “No football club would be able to survive without its volunteers. Without them you wouldn’t have clubs in the Highland League. They do it for the love of the club.”
