LOCKDOWN has allowed committee members and volunteers with Crossgates Primrose to carry out some TLC to Humbug Park.

And, while the team on the park continued to impress in consolidating their East of Scotland League Premier Division place last season, the club hope improvements off it can help them towards an SFA licence.

With Coronavirus bringing sport to a halt, new fencing, as well as new first aid and committee rooms, have been taking shape at the ground as Primrose continue to look to the future.

Having been placed in abeyance towards the end of 2015, before returning for the 2016/17 junior football season, the club successfully applied for an East of Scotland League place two years ago.

Having won promotion from the First Division in their first season, a mid-table finish was secured in their maiden Premier Division campaign to continue a period of upwards improvement under current boss Alan Campbell.

Participation in the sixth tier of Scottish senior football opens up the chance to progress up the pyramid and compete in the Scottish Cup - for which SFA membership brings annual entry.

While that is a long-term aspiration, secretary Kevan McArthur told Times Sport that looking to near neighbours Kelty Hearts, who are looking to retain their Lowland League title this season, for inspiration in creating a pathway for youngsters which is another goal that they hold.

"With all this free time, we've just got on with it and the good thing for us is that when people come to the ground next time, they are actually going to see major changes," he explained.

"Our old cafe was past its best. We're working towards trying to get an SFA licence so we've brought this new cabin in. We've managed to get quite a bit done to it; it's now going to be a small snack bar, a first aid room and a committee room, which will tick all sorts of boxes for the SFA licence moving forward.

"We've got over 200 kids playing for Crossgates Primrose. Unfortunately, the facilities here don't allow us to have them all in here, but that's maybe something for the future. It would be great to have that and have that pathway.

"You only need to look up the road at Kelty, and at the likes of Bonnyrigg and Bo'ness, and the things they're doing with their communities. We're always learning, we're always keeping our eyes open, and are open to new initiatives and ideas."