So it's here. After a couple of tester games the opening first team match on the new surface is due this Tuesday. We had hoped to christen the new playing surface with a visit from Football League side Stevenage but delays in completion of the work meant that game had to be cancelled. So the honour of being our first full opponents on the 3G falls to Southern League Barton Rovers who we welcome to share the occasion with us.

This is one of the more significant milestones in the club's history. The move to the old Buryfield ground in 1926 was one such as was the move away from there in 1995 to the current ground at Wodson Park with its improved facilities. Similarly the installation of our first floodlights (again at Buryfield) in 1973 was another that extended the potential of the club.

Now we have an artificial pitch that provides a truer surface than we have ever enjoyed before; minimises postponements to an almost unlimited extent; and allows us to hold matches throughout the week. To that end we can now host our five under age teams at their home ground and welcome the Meninas girls' football club who are establishing their playing base at the ground. Other local teams and competitions are following.

Our aim is to re-establish the club's position at the centre of the town's participation in the world's greatest sport. Come along and join us. Entrance for this opening game is just £5 (£2.50 for concessions).