Excitement builds for Wisbech Town’s first match at new stadium
WISBECH Town begin a new era in the club’s 90-year history on Saturday.
The Fenmen host St Andrews in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup at the club’s new �350,000 ground in Lynn Road.
Chairman Paul Brenchley said: “I’m really happy with how it looks. It’s all going to be ready for Saturday’s game and I think the people coming along will really like what they see.
“We’ve had people working day and night and I just hope we get the support and pack this place out.
A �50,000 grant from the Football Foundation helped towards the building of the modern clubhouse which contains a VIP and supporters bar. A new kitchen, club shop, spacious dressing rooms and main grandstand offer excellent facilities for players and supporters alike.
Brenchley, who has worked tirelessly on the new �30,000 pitch, said: “It is a really nice playing surface with great drainage.
“The grass has been growing really well, despite the lack of rain, and I’ve been mowing it twice a week.”
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Everything is ready for the grand opening apart from the final result on a licensing application which could see the clubhouse stay open until 12.30am on weekdays and 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays (full story: page 13).
Brenchley said: “We don’t want to turn the clubhouse into a nightclub. I don’t want to be there all night and I have no ambition to run a nightclub.
“But we want to use the place seven days a week and try to make it financially viable.”
A 12-year opening day jinx was ended with a 3-1 victory at Leiston with goals from Tommy Treacher and two penalties from Andy Furnell.
A spirited 3-3 draw at Dereham on Tuesday night made it four points from a possible six. Treacher and Paul Cousins scored before substitute Lewis Thompson snatched a point in the closing stages with a curling left-foot shot after Dereham had taken the lead for the first time.