Highland League managers have their say on season ending early amid coronavirus pandemic
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ROTHES manager Ross Jack has called the decision to end the Highland League season early without deciding all positions “strange”.
All 17 SPFL clubs met in Lossiemouth on Saturday and agreed to conclude the season and name Brora Rangers, who had a 13-point lead at the top of the table, champions.
Nothing else was decided at the meeting, with the top four – the teams who will play in next season’s Challenge Cup – to be decided at a later date.
The vast majority of representatives from Moray clubs have backed the move – but Jack wasn’t entirely satisfied.
He said: “There are more important things going on at the moment but we are talking football – so I have to say it was a strange decision.
“Brora were well ahead and probably would have been champions, but if they had a format to work that out they should have sorted the top four at the same time.
“Brora have been outstanding but this must feel somewhat hollow.
“I would like to think, whatever way they do it, that we will finish top three. The boys have been outstanding and that would be just reward for their season.”
Highland League president, and Buckie Thistle vice-president, Raymond Cardno said: “The Highland League will be asked to put forward nominations for the various cup competitions. We don’t know when next season will start at the moment, so we don’t know if any of these competitions will be competed for.
“That isn’t to be decided at this moment in time. We felt the thing we could do with certainty was decide our champions and give Brora the best chance of preparing for a play-off.”
Buckie Thistle, fifth in the table, also have a wait on to see if they will play in any domestic cups next season.
Representatives from Forres, Keith and Lossiemouth all backed the move.
Lossie chairman Alan McIntosh said: “We were all for it. Nobody was going to catch Brora and the decision was unanimous. There was no other way we could have done it.”
Keith chairman Andy Troup added: “It was a unanimous decision. There was no other decision that could have been made. It’s right for the league and the fans.”
Forres Mechanics manager Charlie Rowley said: “There was still positions to play for in terms of the top four, but under the circumstances, it was an easy decision to make.”
Players’ wages will be hit at of Moray's Highland League clubs. A letter has been sent to Forres Mechanics players detailing changes, with Rothes players taking a cut. Buckie Thistle are no longer paying players, Keith have suspended wages and Lossie players were paid up until the last game.
