ARTHURLIE bosses are urging the people of Barrhead to get behind the club as it prepares for its debut season in the West of Scotland Football League.

The Dunterlie Park outfit was one of nine clubs who withdrew from competitive action in the 2020/21 campaign after it was confirmed fans would not be able to attend matches and there would be no promotion or relegation on the line.

However, players, coaches and officials at Arthurlie are raring to go ahead of the 2021/22 season and have issued an appeal for the area’s football fans to get on board. 

Club secretary Jim Hannigan told Barrhead Sport: “With the new houses that have been built in Barrhead, we really need to get local people behind us.

“It’s our responsibility to give them something they want to come and watch – football they would want to see and look forward to on a Saturday.

“We’re really looking forward to the season starting but we do need local support and we’d love for them to come on the journey with us.”

Hannigan would also like to hear from anyone who is willing to help make sure Arthurlie are properly prepared off the field ahead of the new season.

He said: “We’re looking for volunteers to come and help us with some general maintenance work – wee things like painting, as the park has been lying unused for over a year now.

“If anyone is interested, please contact us through social media or any committee members.”

The inaugural season of the West of Scotland Football League was disrupted due to ongoing Covid restrictions before the decision was eventually made to declare it null and void last month.

Neilston were among the clubs that took part, winning all eight of their games before the campaign was scrapped.

Hannigan insists Arthurlie have no regrets about remaining on the sidelines for the 2020/21 campaign but added he won’t criticise any of the clubs who continued to play behind closed doors.

He said: “Credit has to go to the teams who did have a go at it. I wouldn’t decry them.

“That was their decision and I thought they did very well in trying to get through it – Neilston included. They are very close to us and we don’t want to sour that relationship in any way by saying they were wrong and we were right.”