A coach company boss is offering to help lessen the financial hit his local Highland League football side have taken as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Like all other clubs in its division, Wick Academy have lost out with the premature ending of the season in mid March.
But the Caithness side were particularly badly affected as six of their scheduled seven remaining matches had been at home.
The club reckons this has cost them up to £10,000 in lost gate money and sponsorship.
After learning of their plight, Aaron Wilson has offered to run a free bus to the Scorries’ first and last away trip of next season and to sponsor several of their home games. He operates Thrumster-based Aaron’s of Wick, which itself has ground to a halt during the pandemic.
The 26-year-old said: “To get everything going again, I think local companies and organisations need to stick together and help each other out. I trained with Academy for six years and am a big fan and would be keen to do what I can to help them out of the current crisis.”
While his company’s operation remains suspended, Wilson has been working as a council bin lorry driver.
Academy chairman Pat Miller yesterday said the offer was very much appreciated and would be considered when the club was in a position to finalise arrangements for a return to action.
Miller, who has been 45 years with the club as a player, manager and official, said: “We don’t have a clue when the new season is likely to start and therefore cannot firm up anything.
“Without knowing when the season is going to be, we can’t make progress on any of these but we definitely appreciate Aaron’s offer and will definitely consider it.”
Miller doubts the club could afford to take part in a competition played behind closed doors given that it faces an outlay of £20,000 per season in travelling costs.
He adds that the current social distancing rules would seriously impact the operation of coach trips.