Clachnacuddin insist they are up for the Scottish Cup
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Clachnacuddin want to take part in the 2020/21 Scottish Cup, club chairman Alex Chisholm has confirmed.
A new format and start date has been announced by the Scottish FA, with replays scrapped for all rounds of the competition – which is due to start this month.
The first preliminary round is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, November 28, which is the same date the Highland League is working towards for a return.
There will be no clash however, as the majority of Highland League clubs enter the Scottish Cup in the second preliminary round, set for Saturday, December 12, with Brora and Fraserburgh starting in round one.
Clubs have been given the option of pulling out of this season’s competition with no financial penalty, as they will still receive prize money equivalent to whichever stage they would have entered at.
At Grant Street Park though, the intention is to compete as far as possible.
“We have expressed an interest in taking part,” Chisholm explained.
“There’s a compliance issue with our changing rooms, which we are working on at the moment.
“Obviously our facilities have just been upgraded, so the facilities are there, it’s just about the social distancing.
“We’ll get that sorted out, and we’re looking at a timeframe of this week to make a decision about whether we will be competing.
“As a club, we want to take part. That was a unanimous decision from the board.
“There are a few things to tidy up, but these are unusual times. It will be a different format for the competition, but it’s one that we want to be part of.”
Normally a cup run would be a valuable source of income for clubs in the lower leagues.
Even without the potential for bumper away days in front of large crowds right now, that could still be the case at Clach.
There is more of a chance that the Lilywhites could actually lose money, if they are drawn to have a long away trip under pandemic restrictions.
But that is a risk they are willing to take.
“Every club is going to need that income coming through,” Chisholm reasoned.
“You could look at who you get in the draw and it could make a dent in your income, but we’ve weighed it up and thought we would rather take part in the tournament.
“Any income at the moment is to be welcomed.”
