Football clubs force East Dunbartonshire Council to backtrack on Covid lets

Several clubs wrote to the council last week to voice their shock at its decision to cancel outdoor school and EDLC Trust pitch lets until January.

Rossvale, Baljaffray, Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire, West Park United, Torrance, Milngavie, Campsie and Westerton teamed up for a Let Us Train campaign.

The clubs said they were shocked at the move, made in defiance of Scottish Government advice that non-contact training could continue.

Their case was taken up by Strathkelvin and Bearsden MSP Rona Mackay and she has welcomed the council’s decision to now reinstate all outdoor youth football lets.

She said: “This is a very welcome development from East Dunbartonshire Council. I thank them for taking the time to consider the view of my constituents and my letter backing their campaign.

“Whilst I absolutely appreciate that the pandemic will have a knock-on effect on the operational capacity of the council, this should not come at the detriment of our community.

“The Scottish Government made explicit that, in association with the Scottish Football Association, outdoor non-contact sport can continue for training purposes.

“The local clubs who reached out to me and started this campaign deserve all the credit. Throughout the pandemic, they have been a vital resource for our community, ensuring that young people have space to exercise, play and train despite covid-19.”

In their letter, the clubs said: “Our clubs have complied with all of the restrictions since March in appreciation of the health crisis. As key stakeholders, we are shocked by the lack of consultation in this decision.”