Stewartry football clubs look set to start their new season next month.
Members of the pyramid restart group – which features the South, East, West, Highland and Lowland leagues – met virtually last week following the latest easing of coronavirus regulations.
And October 10 has been pencilled in as the date for the big kick-off – providing there are no further coronavirus related setbacks in the coming weeks.
Dalbeattie Star gaffer Ritchie Maxwell said: “It is important to have our date because it means we can design our pre-season towards that. We didn’t want to start our pre-season too early so it makes a big difference.
“We’ve started contact training and the players have enjoyed having football drills. It also makes things feel a bit more normal.
“Having a date also makes a big difference when we’re speaking to players. We’ve got players we’re talking to and a lot of clubs are chasing the same players but hopefully once they’ve been in with us and spoken to us they’ll agree to sign.”
Officials from the South of Scotland League held the competition’s AGM on Sunday and have agreed to a 26 game season with the 14 sides facing their opponents home and away.
The Soccershop Challenge Cup – which features South, East, West and Lowland League teams – will be played during the season, as will the Southern Counties Challenge Cup. All other cups will be played at the end of the campaign – if there is time.
St Cuthbert Wanderers boss Jordan Williamson said: “Now we have a date we can work backwards for pre-season and tailor training for that.
“We can put the scheduling in place and start identifying dates when we can play friendlies against other teams.
“All the teams have to adhere to the guidance and I just hope, if football is shut down again, it’s not a South of Scotland club that causes it.”
Abbey Vale coach Michael Love added: “From a training and coaching point of view, it makes a difference having a date to work towards. The sessions so far have been about bringing boys in and now we can plan pre-season and friendlies.
“I’m also happy with the format of home and away. I know the Highland League is doing eight home, eight away but I’m happy that the onus is on the league.
“Now we just need to wait to see if it happens.”
The pyramid restart group also set an “indicative date” for a decision on local friendlies of September 11 with games potentially being allowed from September 14. Games will need to be approved by football officials to ensure protocols are being followed.
