PREVIEW: Clyde v East Fife
The 2019-20 Ladbrokes League 1 season gets underway tomorrow, with Clyde hosting East Fife at Broadwood.
It’s a long-awaited return to the third tier of Scottish Football for The Bully Wee, after a nine-year absence, with The Fifers set for their fourth consecutive campaign at League 1 level.
For Clyde, John Rankin continues to be unavailable as he recovers from a broken ankle and Kristoffer Syvertsen is ruled out, after picking up a knock against Queen’s Park last week. New signing Alex Petkov – on loan from Hearts – is eligible to take part.
Speaking ahead of the eagerly-anticipated match, Danny Lennon said:-
“I’ve already watched East Fife and they have started the season well, progressing through to the knockout stages of the Betfred Cup. They are certainly a good side and a very hardworking team. We’re excited to be back at home at Broadwood and a huge amount of credit goes to North Lanarkshire Leisure for the work that’s been done.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of supporters over the summer and I know that there is a range of hopes and expectations amongst them. For me, I want the club’s standing to improve every year and that’s what I’m working to do again for a third year running. I’ve been involved in several promotions as a player and a manager and there is always a learning curve attached to it. We can’t make the mistake of just trying to replicate what we did last season; we’ve got to work even harder and reach a higher standard again.
“I believe this is an exciting time to be a fan and a part of our wonderful club. I want to thank the fans for the tremendous backing last season. Together, we achieved the promotion we all so earnestly desired. I urge the supporters to please give all you can again in this season to come. Get to as many matches as possible and lift the players with your tremendous support. Invite your family, friends and neighbours with you to the games. Our aim is to continue playing a brand of football that everyone can be proud of.
“I am certainly proud to serve as manager of this great club and pleased with what we have achieved together thus far. Let’s give the season ahead everything we’ve got and see what we can achieve together again.”
MATCHDAY INFORMATION
Kick-off: 3pm
Special Guest: Former Clyde centre half Jim Boyd, who made a significant contribution to the club’s Second Division Championship win in season 1977-78.
Match Mascot: Alex Docherty
Getting Here: Click here for details of how to get to Broadwood by car, bus or train.
Car Parking: Access to the Main Stand car park will be restricted to those with accreditation; players, staff and officials, visiting directors, Silver Arria members, hospitality guests and those with disability parking badges. All other vehicles will be directed to the West Stand car park. Post match, all vehicles in the Main Stand car park will leave the stadium via the away car park at the West end of the ground, to improve the traffic flow and speed up the exit process.
Admission Prices: Season tickets and Executive Club memberships are eligible. All other entry prices are; adults £15, concessions £10, under-18s £5 and under-12s £1.
Season Tickets: All pre-ordered season tickets (including Executive Club memberships), can be uplifted from the matchday office from 1.30pm. All categories of season tickets can also be purchased before the match from the matchday office, for immediate use.
Entry: Three turnstiles – D, E and F – will be open from 2pm for fans of both clubs, for contactless payment by credit or debit card. Apple Pay and Google Pay will also be accepted. Fans wishing to pay by cash should go to the ticket window, which is situated adjacent to turnstile C.
Family section: A new family section will be in use in the Main Stand, located to the right of the players’ tunnel.
Visiting Supporters: Fans of East Fife will be directed to the designated away section at the South end of the Main Stand.
Arria Lounge: Entry to the Arria Lounge requires a Premium Matchday ticket, priced at £5 and including a match programme. Click here to purchase a ticket while capacity remains. Lounge entry is via the main reception, from 1.15pm. Season ticket holders will be required to give up a match voucher upon entry, with all other ticket holders required to pay their relevant match admission price, either using contactless payment at the main reception or by cash at the ticket window adjacent to turnstile C.
Smoking Area: Open at half-time only, in the designated area at the North end of the Main Stand (South end for away fans).
Club Shop: Closed for this match.
The Clyde View: Issue 3 of the club’s award-winning matchday programme will be on sale, priced at £3.
Teamsheets: Available from the Club Shop approximately 30 minutes before kick-off and charged at 20p per copy.
Lottery: Clyde FC Lottery tickets will be on sale in the Arria Lounge and the kiosk area, for Wednesday’s draw with a jackpot of £20,000.
Bully Wee Fund: Draw 3, for a prize fund of £1,165, will take place on the pitch at half-time and the winner will be announced immediately.