Seasons in the sun?

Feb 19 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

A RADICAL overhaul of Junior football has been proposed with secretary Tom Johnson admitting the SJFA are considering a dramatic switch to summer football.

The SJFA have confirmed they are to discuss the idea of switching to a summer season following a winter which has been severely disrupted with postponements.

Last week only three games from a possible 77 beat Mother Nature's latest frosty mood swing, with some clubs having barely played in three months.

Current Scottish Junior Cup holders Bathgate Thistle are one of many clubs who have had their fixtures wiped out week after week. Remarkably the Jags have only played once since November.

Eleven of their last 12 scheduled matches have been put on ice and boss Paul Jack unsurprisingly admits a switch to a summer season is something he would be in favour of.

"I would welcome a move because of the way things have hit us this season. We've had first hand experience of the reasons to switch to summer football," admitted Jack.

"There are lots of reasons why a switch to summer football could be good for the Juniors and we may even pick up some more supporters with the Seniors being off season.

"Some players may go on holiday during the summer but that can happen at any time. I'd definitely be in favour of switching to summer football and from a managerial point of view it's the right way to go.

"It would mean far less postponed games and the nights would be lighter which would also help both the players and the fans.”

Since Bathgate played Blackburn United on November 22, Thistle have played just one competitive game, leaving Jack having to arrange bounce games to keep his Super League side ticking over.

He continued: “We have our fingers crossed our game will get the go-ahead this weekend as we've been so long without regular football.

"We had to arrange a bounce game this week against Queens Park at Lesser Hampden, which is something we needed as we are a bit rusty.

"Our fitness is not a problem, it is just match time and keeping our eye and touch in.

"My biggest fear is we will be forced to cram all our missed games into a short space of time at the end of the season. That would be difficult and I hope the association see sense and maybe knock a couple of cups on the head.

"The Super League has to be our priority and we need to focus on that right now."

SJFA secretary Tom Johnson has insisted the Junior game must evolve and consider any new proposals.

The possible switch to summer football will be discussed next month.

He said: “The question was raised whether a switch to summer football is the way forward for the Juniors and we are looking to review the situation and consult with all the clubs.

“I must stress this is in the very early stages but it is something we must consider and it will be discussed at a management committee meeting on March 11.

“The concept of summer football has been prompted by the adverse weather and with a lot of clubs struggling financially, not being able to play games for weeks – and in many cases months – over this winter doesn’t help.

“We have to keep our options open and review the situation.

“A few clubs have already mentioned in passing that this is something that should be considered.

“We will be writing to all clubs to gauge the feeling on maybe taking a winter break, switching to summer football or remaining as we are.

“We don’t want to make a knee jerk reaction as it has been an especially bad winter and it is a very complex issue.

“I have counted out more than 30 different issues from player contracts to the use of council parks which will all have to be considered.

“We will know more after the meeting in March where we plan to decide on a committee to take talks further.”