CLYDEBANK’S hopes of becoming the inaugural West of Scotland Football League champions may have been officially torpedoed by the decision to declare the season null and void – but boss Gordon Moffat admits he’s not too down about the outcome.

League officials had originally set a deadline of April 3 for a decision on whether or not the season could continue.

However, following last Tuesday’s statement from the First Minister, which made no commitment to the return of football below SPFL level by that date, the remainder of the season was cancelled on Wednesday.

Clydebank were top of the Premier Division after picking up 19 points from seven games – and would have been hopeful of having the opportunity to gain promotion to the Lowland League.

And while Moffat told the Post this week that he feels a degree of frustration that the league has been cancelled while Covid-19 cases fall across the country, he also admitted that he can see the positives in the decision.

Clubs agreed at the start of the season that, in case of another lockdown that meant fixtures couldn’t take place for a number of weeks or months, the average points per game system would be used – but only if at least 50 per cent of matches had been played.

As sides in the Premier Division had only played between five and nine fixtures, the decision was made to pull the plug on the whole campaign and allow clubs to focus on what they hope will be a ‘normal’ 2021-22 campaign.

Speaking to the Post, Moffat said: “I’ve got mixed feelings, I suppose.

“I’m disappointed with the fact that we had to end, and I thought part-time level started to get a wee bit isolated when we were together and playing in the first instance.

“But the positive is that we know where we stand now.

“There was a lot of discussion in part-time football that we’re in a far better position now than we were actually playing, so that’s where there is a wee bit of frustration.

“When we did start, and when we were playing in December, we were in a much worse position as a country in terms of cases rising day on day.

“And if you look at it now, the vaccine is in the mix, cases are dropping, and better weather is coming in, so there was a few factors that I thought might have given us a chance.

“I’m frustrated but there’s a much bigger picture in the country.

“It’s about having balance; as a football guy I’m frustrated and feel it’s a wee bit unjust, but as a human being I can live with it and get on with it.”

In a statement posted on the Yoker Athletic Facebook page on the day of the WoSFL’s decision, a club spokesman said: “Sadly the 2020/21 season never really got started, but today’s announcement allows the club to firmly focus on the start of a new campaign.

“We will update you all with any news, signings and announcements.We would like to thank all of our sponsors and supporters, who have been unbelievable through this very difficult season.

“We look forward to welcoming you all back to Holm Park as soon as we possibly can.”

League bosses said in their statement that the decision to pull the plug on the season “will allow clubs to focus and to look forward and prepare for next season, details of which will be issued in due course”.

An update is expected soon on the fate of the 2020-21 Soccer Shop Challenge Cup, once WoSFL officials have held talks with their counterparts in the South of Scotland and East of Scotland Leagues.