Bannsiders organise Fun Day for Saturday

The Bannsiders are appealing to all fans who were planning to attend the league game to come along and support the club as they take on Intermediate League side Trojans (kick-off 3pm).

“We are very disappointed with what has happened,” said boss Oran Kearney.

“The opening day of the season is a special date in the calendar and now we miss out through no fault of our own.

“We have been preparing for a game which now won’t happen, but also we were expecting a good crowd to come to the game, so the club will have lost a lot of revenue.

“The club however has moved quickly to organise a family fun day and friendly, and we would appeal to all those fans who were planning on coming to the Portadown to bring their family and friends along to the ground.

“We will be holding a very special raffle between 12noon and 1.30pm with the inner will joining my backroom team for the day.

“They will sit in on the team talk as the boys get ready for the game and also take a seat on the bench for the duration of the game.

“Fans will also have the opportunity to meet the players and get pictures taken with them between 1pm and 1.30pm.

“It will also be the home debiuts of new signings Gary Twigg and our new club captain David Kee.

“Season ticket holders will also be invited to attend a Meet the Manager question and answer session in the Players’ Lounge from 2.15pm to 2.35pm.

“Our good friend of the club and star magician Rodd Hogg will also be in attendance in the Social Club between 1pm and 2pm .

“Rodd is a fantastic entertainer, his own television show - The Irish Magician - starts tonight (Thursday) on Irish TV (Sky 191) at 8.30pm and we would like to wish him well with that.

“The Olympics also begin in earnest on Saturday with two of our medal winning Coleraine rowers in action.

“Alan Campbell will begin the single sculls heats at 12.30pm and Peter Chambers and the lightweight four will be in action at 4pm.

“We will be showing this live in the Social Club and cheering the lads on, as a club we are very proud of them and wish them all the best for the Games.

“They always do Coleraine proud!

“We are also planning a penalty shoot-out on the main pitch, bouncy castles, face painting and much more.

“The early bird season ticket offer will also be extended until Saturday for fans to avail off.

“So I’d ask all the fans to come along and support the club and enjoy the activities planned.

“This situation has been thrust upon us and could have a major impact on the club, but I know we will all pull together to come out of this in a positive way.”

More information will be released on the run up to Saturday.