East of Scotland board gives update on resumption of league

Scotland’s sixth tier of football will resume playing this weekend
Football will resume in the East of Scotland league this weekendFootball will resume in the East of Scotland league this weekend
Football will resume in the East of Scotland league this weekend

Matches in the three East of Scotland divisions will resume this weekend after the league’s board confirmed the new season will start as scheduled, behind closed doors.

Lothian Thistle HV’s home match against Musselburgh Athletic on Friday night at 7.30pm will kick off the 2020/21 campaign.

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A statement issued following a board meeting confirmed that teams including Broxburn Athletic, Linlithgow Rose, Penicuik Athletic, and Tranent Juniors will return to action this weekend.

The statement read: “At a board meeting held last night via Zoom, it was confirmed our league campaign will start as scheduled this weekend.

"Ultimately, predicaments faced by delaying further are greater than the challenges clubs face by playing under existing protocol.”

All players, coaches, officials, and clubs are required to adhere to a ten-rule set of guidelines to keep football safe, including not sharing drinks bottles; no handshakes, high fives, or spitting; and avoiding car sharing to and from games and training.

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As a result of the coronavirus pandemic bringing a premature end to last season and resulting in no relegation, the Est of Scotland Premier Division will comprise 18 teams this term, with 16 teams in 1st Division Conference A, and 15 teams in 1st Division Conference B.

Lothian Thistle HV and Tynecastle were both promoted to the Premier Division after winning Conference A and Conference B respectively.

In February it was confirmed that a hierarchical structure would be brought in from the 2021/22 season onwards, replacing the current system of a Premier Division and two parallel “conference” divisions.

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