FOOTBALL: Portstewart ready for official opening of their new stand

The Mayor of Coleraine, Cllr Norman Hillis will conduct the opening ceremony at 7pm with neighbours Coleraine providing the opposition in a pre-season friendly to mark the occasion, kick-off is 7.30pm.

The will also be a challenge 5-a-side game at half time between two local special care schools.

As part of Sport NI's Soccer Strategy Portstewart, like all Championship clubs have to adhere to new criteria regarding playing facilities and the club has been busy over the last 12 months completing improvements to their changing facilites and pitch as well as contructing the stand.

The club's PRO, Alistair MacFadyen, said that Portstewart are planning for the future both on and off the pitch.

"The club's new management team of Gary Taylor and Willie McClean had a satisfactory first season in charge guiding us to a seventh place finish. We are also continuing to drive the club forward off the pitch with the continued development of our playing facilities," he added.

Portstewart are currently looking for sponosrs ahead of the new season. If anyone would be interested in becoming the club's main sponsor or sponsoring any games then they should contact Alistair on 07770559717.

Portstewart's pre-season games commence on Thursday 22 July with a trip to Institute (kick off 7pm, they then entertain Dunmurray on Saturday 24 July.

They then play Rasharkin at the Crescent, Coleraine on Tuesday 27 with another game scheduled at the same venue two days later, the oppenents are still to be confirmed, before two home games against Riada (July 31) and Coleraine on the following Monday.

Portstewart's league campaign begins in earnest on Saturday 7 August when they entertain Knockbreda, kick-off is 3pm.