Sutherland summer league fears cancellation for second year running
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Summer football in Sutherland may be facing another season without a ball being kicked.
The North West Sutherland Amateur Football Association (NWSAFA) say they are unsure if they will be able to stage the North West Sutherland League this year and if the rollout of the vaccine will be able to give the 2021 campaign enough time.
A total of 13 teams are currently members of the NWSAFA with 10 clubs in Sutherland and three teams in Ross-shire competing in the league.
The season was not able to take place in 2020 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and it is still unsure if it can take place this year.
The Scottish Football Association is set to hold a review into lower league football on Monday, with the government set to remove a nationwide lockdown on April 26 and move all areas into level three.
NWSAFA secretary Hugh Morrison says it is unlikely any final decision will be made until the spring, but this may be too late to stage a campaign.
“If we can’t get going by the end of May, it is likely we will have another null and void season,” he said.
“What we are wary of is if clubs don’t play for a second year in-a-row, will they be involved the next year?
“The longer you leave football in small village areas, the harder it is to get it going again.
“We might have cup competitions.
“Personally if you were to ask to me, I can’t envisage the league competition taking place this year.
“Will there be a situation regarding social distancing on buses still in place?
“Will the lack of shower facilities after the game still be enforced?
“We have teams in our division who face round trips of 200 miles to play games, this has to be considered.”
Morrison also fears that the Highland Amateur Cup may also have to be cancelled for the second year running.
The biggest amateur football competition in the north features teams from Inverness, Ross-shire, Sutherland, Caithness, Skye, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles.
The competition usually begins in April, but Morrison says no decision has been made regarding it taking place in 2021.
