THE chance to secure a top-10 finish eluded them but the manager of Crossgates Primrose was satisfied with their disrupted season.

And, for Alan Campbell, continuing the progress the club has made since he took charge three years ago will provide plenty of motivation when football returns.

Since joining the Humbug Park outfit three years ago, Campbell, together with assistant and brother Ally, has overseen a move from junior football into the East of Scotland League set-up.

As well as reaching the King Cup semi-finals last season, only losing out on penalties to Tranent, they finished fifth in Conference B to earn a place in the newly-formed Premier Division in their first season at senior level.

With nine games left, Primrose sat 12th when the season was halted, with Campbell confident that they would be well-placed for a mid-table finish in the 16-team division.

Following the termination of the season, league bosses confirmed that there would be no relegation from the Premier Division, ensuring Crossgates will play in Scottish football's sixth tier for a second successive season.

Their achievements have been praised by the club's committee who, in a statement, said: "The club continues to go from strength to strength both on and off the field; we have a fantastic management team and a hard-working group of players, who we are honoured to have representing the club.

"You have all ensured our club is now respected, and have brought many enjoyable moments to our supporters and followers."

Looking back at the campaign, Campbell commented: "I didn't think we started particularly well. It was a bit of a shock to the system and certainly a learning curve.

"Round about Christmas time, we started to hit a bit of form, but then we got the call-offs with the weather for about three or four weeks. We were looking forward to the last eight or nine games and to try and finish in the top- 10.

"I'd score the season seven out of 10. We adapted quite well to a new league and our home record was really good. It's all about progress, and we've progressed year-on-year.

"Sometimes you have to take a step back and see what you've achieved up to now. You see all the teams coming into the East of Scotland League, like Rosyth, and the fact that we're in the league above is great.

"Now we have to hold on and keep progressing."

Planning for next season, however, is proving difficult because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Campbell has secured 16 of his squad on new deals for next season but he added: "We're normally back in at the end of June for pre-season, round about the 20th, and a couple of the facilities we would use are closed until August.

"There's nothing we can do but just keep the guys ticking over in terms of their fitness. There's no point in preparing for something that might be moved back a month or two.

"We've now got 16 signed up. I think a couple will be moving on and we'll be looking to add two or three. That's the nucleus of the squad from last year so it's good that they've all committed as it gives us a bit of continuity."