Formartine United manager believes football pause was right decision
Formartine United manager Paul Lawson was disappointed the Highland League season was put on pause but believes it was the correct decision as coronavirus cases rise across the country.
The Scottish Football Association announced on Monday that due to the escalating Covid- 19 situation it had made the decision to impose a temporary suspension of all football beneath the Scottish Professional Football League Championship, encompassing all predominantly part-time tiers of the professional pyramid.
As well as the Highland League this impacted SPFL League One, SPFL League Two, Scottish Women’s Football Premier Leagues One and Two, Lowland League, East, West and South of Scotland Leagues, Scottish Junior FA Leagues and the North Caledonian League.
The suspension of the game will be for three weeks, until January 31, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the Scottish FA Board in partnership with Scottish Government.
The Scottish Cup is also paused, with any matches scheduled to be played prior to February 1 to be rescheduled in due course.
Formartine manager Lawson said: "It was the right decision. As disappointing as it is in terms of the season having barely started and all the effort that has gone in, both from the players and behind the scenes, ultimately there is a bigger picture and can understand why it has happened.
"Everything is up in the air now. We are not allowed to train, so it is trying to figure out ways to keep the boys going and motivated.
"These days a lot of players will keep themselves fit anyway, so that is not a problem, it is keeping the motivation because when we get the green light to go back we'll be pretty much straight into games.
"I don't think there will be much preparation time, so we need to make sure we look after ourselves and we are ready to go when we get the go-ahead."
Lawson said he was looking at setting up digital sessions with his players.
He added: "The boys will get a programme to follow and we will keep in touch with them on a regular basis.
"Sometimes it is about having the boys together, that is the sort of thing you miss out on, so it's about keeping in contact and making sure everyone is alright."
The manager said he was happy with how the season has gone so far.
"Although it's not very old, it's been good. We've won our games and we've been happy with the start and when you are on a good run you just want to keep going, but that is not possible and we can fully understand the reasoning behind why it has been paused."
One of the team's first games back, when restrictions will allow, will be a Scottish Cup home game against Annan with the winner going on to face SPFL team Motherwell.
Lawson said: "A potential game against Motherwell is a massive incentive and something for the boys to keep themselves motivated.
"There's a good chance the Scottish Cup game will be the first match back and it is a big one against Annan.
"Sometimes there can be a danger knowing who is lying in wait for you because you don't want to get ahead of yourself, but at the same time the incentive is there for the boys to go and put a performance in against Annan."