We don’t expect to feel the financial pinch

Vale of Leithen have just two wins and two draws to their credit this season – but John Anderson says efficient business off the park means there are no fiscal worries at Innerleithen.

With COVID-19 restrictions having paralysed sport around the country, there have been many stories of clubs turning to wage cuts or deferrals, furlough leave or other means of attracting funding, as regular sources of revenue have dried up.

Mr Anderson pointed out there was a difference between full-time clubs and those at Vale’s level but added: “It’s a very well run club from that point of view, so we run a very tight ship. We’re really confident we will be in a good position.”

No one had been asked to make monetary sacrifices, while the club lottery was still continuing, as it only took one person to do the draw. Mr Anderson said it was also hoped eventually to rearrange a postponed coffee morning and a race night.

Football seems likely to remain in suspension well beyond the originally suggested date of April 30.

Mr Anderson said the best thing would be to curtail this season in the Lowland League, with no promotion or relegation.

The Victoria Park side was only three points behind Dalbeattie Star and four behind Edinburgh University and Gretna 2008, with games in hand, so any decision to relegate Vale would be “totally unacceptable”, he said.

The club would use “all legal means at our disposal” to combat it.