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Football is not essential part of lockdown, says Nairn St Ninian manager Keith Mason


By Will Clark

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NAIRN St Ninian manager Keith Mason says football can’t be considered an essential need during the national lockdown.

Loch Ness v Nairn St Ninian at Canal Park Inverness 10 October 2020..Michael McRobert of Loch Ness FC with the ball..Picture: James Mackenzie..
Loch Ness v Nairn St Ninian at Canal Park Inverness 10 October 2020..Michael McRobert of Loch Ness FC with the ball..Picture: James Mackenzie..

He backed his own club’s calls for no football at any level to be played while current restrictions are in place.

His views came as the Scottish Football Association announced apart from the Premiership and Championship, all football in Scotland is suspended until the end of January.

This includes all divisions from League One below.

Nairn St Ninian announced beforehand they would not play any more football or training sessions while lockdown restrictions are in place.

The North Region Junior Football Association announced 24 hours later it was suspending all competitions.

The North Caledonian League was also suspended on the same night.

But Mason, along with the club, says no competition should be given exemption in a bid to control the virus.
“The lockdown we are in just now, there are too many ifs and buts about what people can do and can’t do,” he said.

“If there is going to be a lockdown, it needs to be a lockdown.

“People need to be restricted to whatever is classed as essential.

“I think football can be classed as a hobby and a sense of enjoyment for people.

“But at the moment with this situation, that doesn’t fit in right now.

“We have to be thinking about our elderly relatives and other people in the community.

“If we are out playing football, then we are raising the risk.

“Having the lockdown is designed to minimise the risk factor.

“If we are out playing football and training, then it won’t be able to do its best job.”

Nairn St Ninian were playing in the North Junior League Cup this season which replaced the North Junior Super League due to the impact of the pandemic.

Despite the club refusing to play under current restrictions, Mason is hopeful they can return to action this season.

“We will try to fit in games if we can,” he said.

“But if we can’t then there is nothing we can do about it.

“We will just have to look forward to next season when the vaccine will let people live a normal life, whatever that will be.”


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