Good Afternoon everybody, I hope everybody is remaining well and enjoying the return to sunny weather.
Last night saw the Annual General Meeting of the East Region of the SJFA, normally held at Inverkeithing High School but this year held via video conferencing.
The only rule changes were cosmetic ones due to changes already agreed at the SJFA EGM earlier in the year.
Changes to the Management Committee see Marc Stanton (Lochee United) take over as President with Steven McMillan (Stoneyburn) becoming Vice President. Brian Coutts (Dundee Violet), Ann Haddow (Whitburn) and Audrey Grey (Harthill Royal) all join the committee with David Don (Broughty Athletic), Ian Patrick (Lochgelly Albert) and Bobby Napier (Bathgate Thistle) standing down.
I will continue to serve on the Management Committee of the East Region and will also serve on the Management Committee of the SJFA after the SJFA Annual General Meeting.
There is still no real idea as to when we will be able to return to competitive action and contradictory opinions regarding the start date aren’t helping clubs, however, I have been in dialogue with Stewart Hosie MP and Joe Fitzpatrick MSP, Chair of the Scottish Government Restart Working Group regarding our position and that of other clubs outside of the SPFL.
It has been extremely annoying that initially clubs outside the SPFL were all grouped together with Women’s football and Youth football, under the grassroots umbrella , however, we have made progress on this point, as ourselves and many other clubs outside the SPFL operate in the same way as those clubs in Leagues 1 and 2 as well as some Championship sides. As a result it is hope that we may have some progress on this soon.
This week has seen the manager start to provide 1 to 1 coaching sessions for the players, all within the strict guidelines set down by the Scottish Government which has meant us adhering to a protocol to protect coaches and players alike. All players are now subjected to various checks prior to even setting foot within Laing Park. This is just the first stage of a return.
Sorry that I cant give you any more definitive information but we are gradually moving in the right direction and this will continue providing we don’t see any major second wave of the Covid-19 virus.
Please stay safe, adhere to the advice and we will hopefully see you soon
Mark Johnson
General Manager
