DEFENDER Ross Young is the latest addition to the senior squad as Yoker Athletic continue their preparations for the forthcoming West of Scotland Football League season.

The new addition joins up at Holm Park after changes by the Scottish Government and SFA to the coronavirus regulations around football scuppered the Whe Ho’s plans for their opening pre-season friendly.

Yoker had been due to face Harmony Row amateurs on Saturday, but the imposition last week of new rules barring clubs from playing opponents from other local authority areas meant the match couldn’t go ahead as planned.

Instead a friendly is being arranged for this week between Yoker’s first team and their under-20 development squad to give both sets of players some valuable match practice as they prepare for the resumption of competitive football – which, it’s still hoped, will happen next month.

Read more: Ex-Rangers defender McEwan is the latest addition to Yoker’s ranks

Despite the cancellation of the senior team’s plans, the weekend did see the first friendly matches for two of the teams from the club’s new Youth Academy set-up.

And despite the eerie silence that met both teams on Sunday morning, with family and friends unable to attend to support their children, there was no mistaking the relief at the return to football after a six-month absence.

A club spokesperson said: “Due to the restrictions placed on us all, and not just football, it is imperative that for the safety of the players, managers, coaches and officials from both clubs that we must ensure all the measures are in place as we return to playing.

“However, after all these months of uncertainty, it is fantastic to see the boys back out on the pitch enjoying playing football again.”