Nithsdale Wanderers manager Dougie Taylor says it was the right call by the South of Scotland Football League (SoSFL) to announce a July return.

The SoSFL revealed last week that the league would be returning on July 17 for the 2021/22 season, after the 2020/21 season was declared null and void in April.

There was also an announcement regarding the South Challenge Cup, with the first round of the competition due to be played on September 11.

Speaking to the Chronicle, Taylor said: “From a selfish point of view because our boys have been keeping themselves ticking over it would have been ideal for us to start two or three weeks before that in a cup competition.

“Realistically because of things like changing rooms and shower facilities etc not being open the date they gave us more time to get everything back to normal.

“So, looking at the bigger picture the mid July start date was probably the most sensible option.”

Despite only hearing about a return date last week, Wanderers have been back at training for a few weeks.

Taylor says the squad have been keeping themselves in shape in anticipation for a return and that it will pay dividends when they formally start their pre-season.

“We have been in for two or three weeks now but we have just kept ourselves ticking over with one session a week.

“The boys have been enthused to be back in and kicking a ball about, we are in a good position because the majority of the fitness levels are really good.

“It will not be a difficult pre-season for most of the squad as they are all relatively fit because we have been in training early.

“It is not our pre-season right now however that will start six weeks before our return date and we will up the tempo of training in that period. “

Ahead of their pre-season Wanderers announced the signing of goalkeeper Jamie Kerr joining from Kello Rovers.

He arrived as the club saw a few players go the opposite way leaving Lorimer Park, despite the departures Taylor says he is happy with his squad for next campaign.

“I was quite happy with the squad from last season we had a 19/20 man squad.

“We lost a few players but if we made another one or two signings then I would be really happy.”