Pre-season: Falkirk back to work on Monday

Falkirk will return for pre-season training on Monday (August 24) pending any further delays to training advised by the Scottish Government.
Falkirk FC new strip for season 2020 - 2021 is hung up and ready for use. Picture: Michael Gillen.Falkirk FC new strip for season 2020 - 2021 is hung up and ready for use. Picture: Michael Gillen.
Falkirk FC new strip for season 2020 - 2021 is hung up and ready for use. Picture: Michael Gillen.

The Bairns had always planned to resume on August 24, so last week’s mandate from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon did not adversely affect the club.

All training outwith the top flight of Scottish football was postponed by Holyrood after indiscretions over COVID-19 guidelines by eight Aberdeen footballers and Celtic’s defender Boli Bolingoli who travelled to Spain in the lead-up to his side’s second match of the season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However the enforced delay did not disrupt the Bairns who will muster on Monday for day one and then return for fitness testing at the ground on Tuesday, with a heavily regulated regime for entering the Stadium safely.

Temperature checks will be in place as well as routine testing before training can be conducted.

Testing today (Thursday) will not be required as previously thought, as next week’s training will be on a non-contact basis.

Co-manager Lee Miller explained: “We’re taking a lead from [the governing bodies]. There’s been a few mistakes and these things happen but we need to do things properly. We have a good backroom staff to put things in place so we can take things forward when we can.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’ve been gearing towards next Monday to start training again, hopefully, albeit non contact for the first week.

“It’ll be good to have the boys back in about it.”

Miller will also be participating having registered as a player. He added: “I wouldn’t like to be in the situation where we have an injury crisis and I’m there on the bench but unavailable. I have kept myself fit over the lockdown and registered but I’m not too concerned about playing but will be available to play my part if required.”

The Falkirk Stadium will also be suitable for teams to use for friendly matches, utilising the additional changing facilities available at the south end of the main stand.

David McCracken added: “Our stadium is perfect for a hub, we can keep the other team changing room away from us and outwith our footprint at the club.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There will be teething problems as we have seen. But things change every day, you just adapt to it. As Lee says it’s challenging but it’s a different challenge for us.

“We can only cover ourselves with the testing and be ready to go.

“Testing is costly on top of players and reconstructing the squad. Everyone has had to adapt. This is a club looking after our own and what we have in place, we will be ready to go.”

Message from the editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Jill Buchanan

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.