Author: Broxburn

With clubs having voted to null and void the season with the return to playing protocol being too costly as testing would be mandatory if and when after contact training was allowed after the 17th of May time was not on the league’s side to complete even 50% of games . We at Broxburn Athletic would like to thank everyone for their efforts this season . Thanks to everybody who has continued to support the club during these difficult times . The support has been overwhelming . The Friends of Broxburn have continued to donate their monthly contributions through out the pandemic and these funds will continue to help us build for season 2021/2022 . When we suspended the Keydraw  many of you donated their ticket money on a monthly basis  again we thank you .We have restarted the Keydraw and the take up of Standing order’s again has been tremendous and we thank everyone of you for this . We have had numerous virtual race nights and every race night was well supported  and we hope you all enjoyed these evenings of entertainment which also raised funds for the club.  All our sponsors have continued to support us and we hope they continue to in the future  we are very much appreciative as we know the difficulties business’s have been going through during these unprecedented times . All the volunteers who have helped us with maintenance work at the park . Our online shop has been doing a great trade with many club souvenirs available and we have interest from all over the world for our merchandise . The player’s and staff have played their part realising there was no real income and they forfeited their wages a gesture much appreciated by the club and committee . I would like to thank the committee  who have  worked behind the scenes keeping spirits and the club on the front foot when we did get some game time .  At the start of last season  supporter’s continued to buy season tickets for season 2020/2021 , with a hope that they could use them to watch some football at the Albyn Park . Unfortunately this never materialised and the club are happy to refund those who so wish a full unconditional refund on this purchase . At the same time there is no appetite to start season 2021/2022 without spectators and the club will issue a new season ticket free of charge to those who bought a season ticket for the last season 2020/2021 which we are confident that some spectators will be able to return to our level of the game . Contact committee for arrangements . The season is earmarked for a start date on the 17th of July  but as stated before this will most likely only be if supporter’s are allowed . There will be strict protocols for allowing spectators back and these will be published in due course once we are given the go ahead .

We have started resigning players and also new players will be announced in the very near future as we build for next season . The restrictions being lifted is now allowing us to get the majority of the players together for non contact training until the 17th of May and the players are delighted at being able to get out and together which does wonders for everybody’s well being . We hope you all stay safe and I am sure we will all be together soon .

The clubs in the East of Scotland league voted to end the season on Null & Void  by a large margin . This will give clubs the focus for next season which is earmarked but not confirmed to start on the 17th July . This is still to be ratified and will not happen without the admission of some supporter’s . We are hopeful that this will be the case come kick off and await direction from the Government and the SFA . The feeling amongst clubs is that they are not willing to start without attendance’s being allowed . Will update as soon as we get confirmation of directive’s .

The club and all associates  wish to send their condolences to the family and friends of former committee member and first aider John Kerr who sadly passed away on Sunday evening . R.I.P. John

With the Lowland League declaring the league over and naming Kelty Hearts as their champion that leaves the East of Scotland,South of Scotland and Highland league left to declare . The South have a meeting on Thursday and are likely to null and void . The Highland league will have to make a decision soon with next to no games having been played this season so far . The East of Scotland said a few weeks ago that we will wait to see what government says at the beginning of next week regarding the contact training return to playing which is currently scheduled for the 17th of May which would give little or no chance of finishing the 50% of league games to call the league under playing conditions. If the government were to bring forward that date considerably the chances of finishing half the season is a possibility  it is frustrating we know but we hope we can declare the league by playing and not by arithmetic .We await the statement next week where there after one way or another a board meeting will be held to digest the statement .

The league has given until the 6th of April , when the Scottish government will make a an updated statement on restrictions, a board meeting will be held there after to digest the contents of the update  .The 17th of May is earmarked as it stands for contact training for adults to return . This would probably not be enough time to complete the season with players needing realistically three weeks contact training to be ready to play matches after such a long lay off to avoid injuries  . It is hoped this date can be brought forward by a month with dependency on the data at the time . This will give time to fulfil half the fixtures in the leagues allowing the league to be called and a champion and relegation issues sanctioned as per clubs vote to play at least half a season fixtures .It will all depend on the restrictions being eased to allow this .  The start of next season will be as early as possible .Discussions regarding the early July being a possibility . Again this would be dependent on restrictions in place with there not being a great appetite to start a season again without some supporter’s being allowed to enter our grounds . It is all if’s and but’s which will be a lot clearer early April . In the meantime stay safe and we hope to see you all soon . Thanks for continuing to support our fundraisers during this pandemic it is much appreciated to every single one of you during this difficult time