JOHNSTONE Burgh manager Jamie McKim has backed a decision by the West of Scotland Football League to scrap the 2020/21 campaign.

The ongoing Covid crisis has now led to the season being declared null and void, bringing an end to months of uncertainty for both Burgh and fellow WoSFL club Renfrew.

Training and matches had been suspended since January, sparking fears for players’ mental health.

However, they are now able to take part in non-contact training sessions – much to McKim’s relief.

He told Gazette Sport: “Strangely enough, I felt better when it [the league season] was called off because it meant there was no more uncertainty.

“I was desperate for the boys to get back playing and for the season to go ahead but it looks as if it’s the right decision.

“I was just worried about the players and their mental health. It’s a positive that we can get them back together, albeit for non-contact sessions. It’s a start.”

Both Burgh and Renfrew were unbeaten in the league, with McKim’s men securing 19 points from seven fixtures and the New Western Park outfit bagging nine points from five games.

However, league bosses were not able to use an average points-per-game system to work out the final standings, as clubs had agreed at the beginning of the season that it could only be brought into play if more than half of the fixture list had been completed.

It all means a frustrating end to the campaign for McKim, who has questioned why senior clubs in League One and League Two have been given the green light to complete their season, while the WoSFL has scrapped its fixture list.

He said: “The thing I struggle to understand is that we were allowed to start the season, which I was delighted about, but how were we okay to play then but not now?

“We were allowed to play when the [senior] lower leagues were allowed to, so I was hopeful the same thing might have happened.

“It’s a pandemic and you’re not going to understand everything, so I’m not angry about what has happened. It’s just that it can be quite confusing for everybody.”

The WoSFL said the decision to declare the 2020/21 campaign null and void will allow clubs to prepare for next season.

A spokesperson added: “Details will be issued in due course.”