Scarborough Athletic boss Kelly open to allowing players to go out on loan if NPL season is halted

It looks likely that Boro’s 2020/21 campaign will grind to a premature halt once again with the prospect of a null and void conclusion expected to be ratified in the near future.

Boro boss Kelly insists he is open to allowing his players to go out on loan to clubs in National League North or higher in a bid to get some playing time - with those leagues currently still allowed to go ahead behind closed doors due to their ‘elite sport’ status.

“I’m absolutely open to the players going out on loan and getting to play some football,” said Kelly.

“At the end of the day these players will want to go and play football if the opportunity arises and who am I to stand in their way if offers come in for any of them.

“They haven’t played for a long time and it looks like they won’t get any game time for Scarborough any time soon, so I think it would be beneficial to them - if there’s interest.”

Kelly admits a couple of clubs have been in touch with tentative interest, but he’s keen to speak to his squad about the prospect of heading out on loan before firming anything up.

He added: “Yes a couple of clubs have been in touch but nothing formal has come in as of yet.

“I want to speak to to players and staff to see if any of them wish to go out on loan and then I will actively seek to try and sort something for them should that opportunity arise.”

Kelly sees the positives of such moves far outweighing any potential negatives.

“Should the players go out and do well at higher levels, which is a possibility as we have some quality players, then fair play to them,” he added.

“I’m confident they’d come back here and want to be a part of what we’re trying to build at Scarborough.”