Elgin City eager for season to resume following Covid shutdown
But the Black & Whites chairman has concerns over the schedule following the break in play
Last updated 4th Feb 2021
Elgin City chairman Graham Tatters believes the Black & Whites are prepared for the resumption of the lower league seasons, but he has told MFR News that he's still to hear word of when that might be.
Sitting second in League 2, Elgin City were last in action back on Boxing Day, with Gavin Price's side winning five of their last six matches. It could also be argued that City were also buoyed by being in a Level 1 Covid area having seen limited numbers of local supporters back at Borough Briggs.
This weekend will mark six weeks since Elgin City's last match, and with recent improvements made during the pandemic - including the vaccine roll-out programme - hopes are high that soon play may resume in League 1 and 2.
That said, there's been little in the way of progress so far.
"We're in a WhatsApp group chat and so far, no one on that has heard anything in the way of an update", said Tatters.
"We'll await a notification, but we'll probably need about 14 days. It'll probably be just a very small pre-season. All the boys have been doing their best so far to keep themselves fit"
"I can't see 27 games, unless they extend the season" - Graham Tatters
However there are key concerns with the lag behind the rest of the Scottish league system, as the Elgin City chairman doubts they'll be able to finish the already reduced 27-game season - plus there's the Scottish Cup to factor.
"We've no problem in getting the games back on, given the current guidance we were working under during the pandemic, but the only issue is the 27-games"
"I can't see 27 games unless they extend the season, and then - if they do that - would the Championship just be expected to wait until the completion of League 1 for the play-offs to be finalised? Plus there's also the European Championships this Summer"
Elgin City's strong finish last season, up until the cessation of play, saw them miss out on any play-off challenge in League 2 as only the champions were promoted.
Once again, Tatters believes this would be harsh given their efforts so far, if a similar fate came this season, should the matches not be completed.
"We're raring to go, the manager and the team, we're just really confident and looking forward to it. The one thing we don't want to see where the same thing happens as last season, where we were sat in the play-off position"
"Only time will tell to see if we can progress"