CLUB STATEMENT - FANS AT GAMES
Penicuik
Athletic
FC
are
fully
supportive
of
the
Government
efforts
to
combat
Covid-19
and
have
a
great
appreciation
of
how
difficult
a
job
the
Scottish
Government
have
to
balance
health
and
the
economy,
and
the
sacrifices
that
people
are
making to fight this virus. The club is proud to have played its part in suppressing the first wave of the virus by following the
guidance
received
from
all
sources,
however
we
are
now
facing
a
fight
for
our
very
survival
if
fans
are
not
allowed
in
to watch games.
Football
at
the
level
we
play,
faces
the
biggest
crisis
in
70
years
and
our
club
the
biggest
challenge
since
going
into
‘abeyance’
in
1991.
Our
industry
sector
is
being
denied
the
right
to
trade,
due
to
the
refusal
to
let
fans
watch
games,
whilst
just
over
the
border
in
England
clubs
at
similar
levels
are
allowed
supporters
into
the
match,
properly
physically
distanced
with
fans
wearing
face
coverings.
It
is
our
hope
that
the
current
restrictions
on
us
are
simply
out
of
a
lack
of
appreciation
of
the
challenges
football
faces
at
this
level.
There
is
no
Sky
TV
deal
and
no
generous
benefactor
in
the
form
of
Mr
Anderson
as
our
friends
in
the
SPFL
received.
Match
day
income
is
fundamental
to
being
able
to
trade
solvently.
Without
it,
through
no fault of clubs at this level, many won’t be here by the time Christmas comes.
We
are
not
asking
for
our
ground
to
be
filled
to
capacity,
but
a
level
at
less
than
20%
of
our
capacity,
around
250
supporters
and
volunteer
officials
in
a
controlled,
secure
environment.
Penicuik
Athletic
might
not
be
the
biggest
club
in
the
country,
but
like
all
clubs
at
our
level
we
employ
c20
people,
purchase
many
products
from
local
suppliers
who
in
turn
employ
local
people,
and
provide
a
sense
of
community
to
those
in
our
locality.
Across
Scotland,
it’s
an
economic
generator
worth,
according
to
a
recent
study,
over
£500
million
to
the
Scottish
Economy.
The
fiscal
benefit
aside,
the
community
and
mental
health
benefits
that
football
brings
to
players
and
supporters
alike
should
be
reason
enough
to
re-
consider
fans
in
football,
providing
it’s
in
a
secure
and
safe
venue.
Penicuik
Athletic
would
ask
our
local
MP,
MSP’s
and
councillors
to
get
behind
us
as
we
look
to
get
‘Fans
at
Games’
in
a
safe,
secure
and
controlled
manner
to
allow
us
to
continue to play football and provide our community with a sporting focal point.
Neil
Gordon,
Club
Secretary,
John
Fraser,
Club
President
,
Tony
Begg
Team
Manager,
Aaron
Somerville,
Club
Captain
To:
Owen
Thompson,
MP;
Ian
Murray
MP;
Christine
Graham
MSP;
Colin
Beattie
MSP;
Michelle
Ballantyne
MSP;
Cllr
Debbi
McCall;
Cllr
Andrew
Hardie;
Cllr
Joe
Wallace:
Cllr
Andrew
Hardie;
Cc
Midlothian
Advertiser,
Crystal
FM,
Black
Diamond FM