Keith manager Dean Donaldson: Clubs can make fans at Highland League games work
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KEITH manager Dean Donaldson has said he understands the Highland League’s decision to delay the start of the upcoming season due to no fans being allowed in grounds.
However, he doesn’t understand why they have had to make the decision – and believes it is time to let crowds back into Highland League grounds.
He said: “I don’t understand how fans can’t get in to games.
“It doesn’t make sense to me, with the pubs being open, that we can’t get people back in.
“The majority are going to be sensible, fans are going to socially distance and they are not allowed to drink in grounds – so there won’t be any of the getting too close that happens in pubs.
"We can easily make it work. Kynoch Park is massive and at the best of times we don’t get many in.
“Even if we were allowed 200 or 300 it would make a big difference to clubs.”
It was announced late last Monday that the Highland League campaign would not start before November 28.
A meeting will take place during the week starting November 9 to either confirm a November 28 start or push the league campaign back further.
Donaldson believes a later start can provide an opportunity for the Highland League to change to a summer set-up – although admitted he can see the disadvantages as well as the advantages of any change.
“If we are going to think about summer football then there is no better time for a restructure,” he said.
“I wouldn’t be against it – I can see why it would work and it would probably be good with the winters we have. I can see the pros and cons on both sides.”
For now, Keith are going to continue with the pre-season.
The Maroons were due to play Culter at the weekend, but the game was rescheduled for this weekend due to the weather.
A match against Dyce has been scheduled for October 17, which was originally due to be the opening day of the Highland League.
Keith’s three friendly matches so far have provided one win, 6-0 versus Colony Park, one draw, 4-4 with Banks O’Dee, and one defeat, 5-0 against Elgin City.
