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Duffy: "Look after fans and play in the summer"
BRECHIN City manager Jim Duffy is the latest Scottish boss to come out and declare that he would back a move to see SFL fixtures taking place throughout the summer from March to November, as is the case in the League of Ireland.
The Brechin gaffer, who has been involved in the senior game for approximately three decades, believes the positives far outweigh the negatives when it comes to summer football.
Jim said: "Putting the weather to one side, what we would be looking at are pitches where grassing is growing right through the season and therefore, hopefully, better surfaces for players to play on and better entertainment for the fans.
"We have suffered a great deal this season, as have many other clubs at our level, with postponements and personally I think the sensible way forward is to have the season running from March through to November.
"We have to start looking after the fans first and foremost.
"The biggest influences in the game at every level at present are the television companies and, if they backed the idea, there might well be a further groundswell of opinion in favour of a move.
"It has worked well for the League of Ireland and I don't see any reason why that couldn't be the case over here.
"We have had a postponement on Saturday and, looking at the weather today (Monday) and the forecast for the rest of the week, we could well be faced with another one this weekend.
"However, if nothing else, I think people would enjoy the experience more of watching football in milder weather, where they were more relaxed and chilled out than they are when they are standing freezing at games.
"Obviously those responsible for running the game need to be of a similar view.
"However, the only thing that seems to be holding us back at present is tradition and tradition isn't always something that brings positive elements out, whatever you are marketing."
Duffy revealed on-loan defender Alex Walker has started running after treatment for his groin injury.
"It's one of these injuries where by he has to give it a go and, if he can get a week's training under his belt, it will stand him in good stead.
"However, there is the chance he could suffer a set-back, so we have to really play this one by ear."
The manager also revealed that "enquires are continuing" with a view to strengthening the squad.
"I haven't targeted anyone specifically, but we are continuing to make enquires and everyone knows we need to bring in a player or two.
"Getting Alex back would be beneficial, but we are still trying to get something done and that will continue."
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Weather for Brechin
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South west
