Caledonian Braves boss Ricky Waddell has strong thoughts on resuming Lowland League

Caledonian Braves gaffer Ricky Waddell is “very keen” for the Lowland League to return soon from its coronavirus-inflicted sabbatical.
Caledonian Braves boss Ricky Waddell (Pic by Michael Gillen)Caledonian Braves boss Ricky Waddell (Pic by Michael Gillen)
Caledonian Braves boss Ricky Waddell (Pic by Michael Gillen)

Braves – like the rest of the Scottish football pyramid below the Championship – haven’t played for around six weeks due to Covid-19 leading to a blanket ban.

The next Scottish FA review into the resumption of lower league football won’t take place until March 1.

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“I would be very keen to get back,” Waddell – whose team are 12th in the Lowland League table with 13 points from 14 games – told the Times and Speaker.

"We are living in a really weird time, it’s a worldwide pandemic with people’s health at risk.

"But I also think that players’ welfare has got to be taken into consideration.

"These boys, although they have other careers, this is part of their career as well.

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"They are part-time professional players. Not being able to do that part of your job is taking its toll a little bit and I think the boys are struggling.

"I think the boys need to come back to train. If they don’t, we’re talking about coming back for the next season after June and July.

"I can understand why people have said: ‘Let’s draw a line under this season’ but I think lower league football doesn’t need to be losing any more momentum. We need to finish this season where we can.”

Cubs agreed before this season that the Lowland League would not be declared null and void if teams completed 50 per cent of their matches, just two games away for Braves.

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