Brora Rangers are ready to bring fans back as they face Wick Academy in first Highland League game at Dudgeon Park in nine months
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BRORA Rangers are set to welcome fans back through the gates at Dudgeon Park to watch a Highland League match for the first time in nine months.
Up to 300 fans could be in the ground to watch the far north derby as the champions take on Wick Academy.
A test event was held two weeks ago where fans came in to watch a bounce game involving the Brora Rangers squad.
Now the Cattachs are gearing to welcome supporters through the turnstiles for a league match.
Cash at the turnstiles is not permitted, but tickets have been bought using the fanbase app as well as on sale at Cunningham’s and Otter’s Couch in Brora with only a limited number remaining.
Chairman William Powrie is looking forward to seeing fans in the stands again ensuring all the relevant safety measures are met.
“We have done a lot of work to allow fans back into the stadium,” he said.
“Another inspection was taking place on Thursday just to make sure everything is ok.
“But we are confident that we can do it safely.”
However, club officials were told on Wednesday Dudgeon Park will not be able to open the bar or have hospitality due to Scottish Government regulations.
Despite that, Powrie says it will just be good to have supporters back in the stadium again.
He said not having them in the ground during the League Cup and Highland League Cup meant football was not the same.
“It was terrible, it was absolutely awful,” he said.
“Fans really are the lifeblood of Highland League football.
“Now with a vaccine on the horizon, we can hopefully quickly return to normal in the early part of next year.
“It will be a bit of a challenge between then and now I guess.
“But absolutely it will be great to have the fans back in the stadium again.”
Brora Rangers got their Highland League campaign off to a blistering start when they hammered Deveronvale 5-0 in Banff last weekend.
Mark Nicolson scored the Cattachs first league goal of the season as he nodded a corner kick into the net.
Andrew Macrae made it 2-0, before he played provider for Paul Brindle who scored Brora’s third with a volley in the box.
Dale Gillespie fired home a volley to get a fourth, with Brindle scoring a classy lob to finish off the rout at Princess Royal Park.
Wick Academy suffered a 3-2 defeat in their opening match against Buckie Thistle at Harmsworth Park.
All the goals came in a rip-roaring second half, with two headers from Kyle Macleod, and a penalty by Andy MacAskill ultimately proving decisive.
Ryan Campbell and Craig Gunn were on target for Wick.
The far north derby was the last Highland League game Dudgeon Park played host to when Brora Rangers cruised to a 4-1 victory over Wick Academy on Saturday, March 7.
