'We have zero income' - Bonnyrigg Rose feel fan lock-out could cripple chances of full Lowland League

Bonnyrigg Rose's season kicks off this weekend.

The Lowland League finally gets underway tomorrow - behind closed doors - with manager Robbie Horn and his players travelling to Gala Fairydean Rovers.

However, there was some uncertainty earlier this week following the latest Scottish Government’s restrictions that will see no contact sport or training for adults (18 and over) permitted until at least October 25 with the exception of professional sport.

Nevertheless, Scotland’s fifth tier was given the go ahead as it falls under the Professional Game Board (PGB) banner.

And although the news was welcomed by everyone at New Dundas Park, Parkinson revealed the future is unclear as long as supporters remain locked out.

“We’re in a frail position and it isn’t going to take much straw to break the camel’s back,” Parkinson told the Evening News. “But that is the same for the entire league and the leagues above us as well. I can’t seem it being any different at League One and Two clubs and that’s been well documented over the past few weeks and months.

“It’s the uncertainty of everything that is the real problem. We got our business on the field done early and signed our players to two-year contracts. We had a pretty steep loss in the spring as we lost out on our remaining six matches, five of them being at home including Kelty Hearts and Berwick Rangers, so that was a blow.

“There can’t be many clubs who can survive a full season while continuing to have all the regular outgoings - it’s just not sustainable, not even in the long term. Our last income from gate receipts was in February so we’re operating on the reserves we have. Right now we have zero income.

“Our season ticket sales have increased by 50 per cent this year and we have done some fundraising over the summer so there has been some respite.

“But unless there is a lifting of the ban on supporters or we’re assisted financially from the government then there could be some tricky conversations ahead. It has to be one or the other but it can’t be neither for clubs to survive.

“I think the league will be completed but I’m not sure that will include the 17 teams that start this weekend.”

Elsewhere, Spartans are also in action in the Borders with a trip to Gretna 2008 while Civil Service Strollers pay East Stirlingshire a visit. Edinburgh University are at New Central Park to play reigning champions Kelty Hearts.

The tier below the Lowland League – the East of Scotland League – also gets under way this weekend as the region’s local clubs finally get the chance to play some football after months in cold storage due to the current pandemic, but the Highland League is not due to resume until November.