JOHNSTONE Burgh manager Jamie McKim believes that supporters must be allowed into stadiums for the return of the football season in July.

Coronavirus guidelines prevented fans from attending games in the 2020/21 campaign.

Supporters are set to attend fixtures at the European Championships this summer – including 12,000 at Hampden Park – and 500 fans will be at SPFL play-off final ties which started on Monday.

The West of Scotland Football League season has been given a start date of July 17 and the Burgh Boss has urged chiefs to let fans in.

He told Gazette Sport: “I don’t think any club at our level or any club in Scotland is sustainable financially without supporters coming through the door.

“I’m just hoping that we’re allowed to welcome everyone back in the summer.

“It’s going to be tough for all the clubs because I’d imagine there still will be different guidelines and restrictions even when fans are back in but it’s certainly positive that these discussions are happening.”

McKim has also revealed that Niall Herron could be out until the end of the year as he continues his return from injury.

The club captain suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in November last year, ruling him out of the remainder of the stop start 2020/21 season.

McKim is looking forward to welcoming his skipper back, as well as other members of his squad that missed out on game time last year.

He added: “Niall isn’t as far ahead as you might think, he’s not going to be back until about November or December.

“He will be like a new signing when he comes back but we’ve still got a bit to go with him.

“Phil Lee never really got going last year, he’s been a long term injury. Nathan Marriott was going to be but now it looks like he’ll only miss one game so it’s good to see these boys coming back in.

“It’s going to be difficult for them to get back to full speed quickly so they’ll need a bit of time when we get back to full contact.”

The Keanie Park side are set to return to the pitch this week as they kick off pre-season after guidelines were lifted regarding outdoor contact sport.

Burgh were due to face Glasgow Perthshire this Saturday, however that has since been cancelled due to the lockdown extension in Glasgow.

McKim’s side will still take on Ashfield on May 26 before facing Cumnock on May 29 and the club’s development side on June 2.