Clydebank manager Gordon Moffat believes that clubs can only operate without supporters in the very short term if the league campaign were to start without them in attendance.

The Bankies, much like clubs across the country, have already had to go through their pre-season fixtures with no fans permitted entry – and the Scottish Government’s latest update on restrictions make a change on the rules for competitive action in October look unlikely.

The club have backed the #LetFansIn campaign, started on Twitter by non-league podcast Official Catchup, which has called for the government to “consider allowing smaller sides to open their gates and allow limited numbers of spectators into their grounds, subject to any required Covid safety protocols” – and which warns that clubs will go to the wall if they can’t allow fans in.

The letter, which was sent to the Scottish FA and the Scottish Government, also includes that stadiums are already suitable to allow social distancing and other measures to take place stating: “The vast majority of lower league sides have terraced areas for standing, which are open air and therefore of less risk than indoor settings.”

Speaking to the Post, Moff has backed the campaign and is hoping for answers in the build up to the start of the season.

He said: “Perhaps you are able to go two weeks, maybe up to three or four, but after that clubs are going to start asking questions, and there will need to be some sort of clarity on what the plan is from the SFA and the league itself.

“We’re all keen to get going but we need to make sure there’s a plan in place to get fans in and there’s timescales that are sensible so that clubs aren’t going to take weeks or months of damage.

“It can only be very short term if we do start without them.

“I think everybody knows that clubs aren’t going to be able to go for months without any income coming in through the gates, so it’s a bit of ‘wait and see’, but hopefully we can come up with something.”

The Bankies boss added that it’s vital all the correct procedures would be in operation – and says that Holm Park is capable of accommodating the measures that would be required.

He continued: “There’s no reason that at our ground you couldn’t enter at different gates and socially distance queue and then spread out around the ground with protocols for toilets and things like that.

“It’s about making sure it’s all done safely and not just about being rash and letting fans in.

“We obviously need to have a plan in place.”