GREENOCK Wanderers director of rugby John Dyer says the club's fixture lists being announced is 'light at the end of the tunnel' after over a year in cold storage due to the pandemic.

The seniors' side will open their campaign against Lasswade at Fort Matilda on Saturday September 4 before travelling to Berwick for their first away fixture a week later.

The Fort Matilda ladies also learned their schedule for the campaign which is set to kick off on September 19.

Ally Hunter's team travel to Oban Lorne for their first Tennent's West Regional League Division One match before welcoming Biggar to Fort Matilda a week later.

The SRU confirmed that promotion and relegation within the leagues will be applied, providing at least 65 per cent of all league fixtures are fulfilled.

Mr Dyer told the Tele: "The fixtures being announced opens it up for the ladies and gents as well as the under-18s and under-16s because they can now look forward to meaningful rugby.

"It expands the opportunity to recommence our club lunches on matchdays. With the fixtures coming out it gives us the chance to advertise these events.

"There's a buzz about the place now that there's light at the end of the tunnel."

Grant Sweenie takes charge of the Fort Matilda senior men's side this season, with preparations well underway for the Tennent's National League Division Three campaign.

Mr Dyer added: "The seniors are getting geared up for the real thing. They'll put their training regime to prepare for the season.

"We've had offers already from other sides to play friendlies. We'd be equally keen because they're going to have to get themselves toughened up fairly quickly before the campaign starts.

"If 65 per cent of the fixtures are completed then promotion and relegation come into it.

"We can't look too far ahead but we have to have objectives and our main one is to hold our ground in Division Three having got there three years ago.

"Last year was a big push for promotion which petered out. We haven't lost many personnel compared with other clubs so we want to consolidate our place and push on this season."

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