| Cardiff City will play their first game at the new stadium this evening. |
The first pre season friendly involving the first team squad will take place tonight at the Cardiff City Stadium against Chasetown.
New signings David Marshall, Mark Husdon, Paul Quinn and Anthony gerrard will get the chance to play for City for the first time and each player that takes the field will have their first taste of a match situation in the new ground.
We could see a triallist or two and possibly some of the youngsters getting some action. But it's likely the senior side will play the best part of the match.
Jones is likely to give the full squad a run out tonight against the side that City beat in round three of the 2008 FA Cup run. City forged solid links with Chasetown that day and the Scholars are honoured to be the first side to face City in the new 27,000 seat stadium.
Tonight's match is part of the build up towards a full capacity stadium. The potential attendance is capped tonight at around 70% (tickets are still available from the club up until kick off time). Call the ticket office on 0845 345 1400.
Dave Jones believes the fans should be really excited by the new ground.
"If people aren't excited about the new stadium I would be amazed," he told the Echo. "It's magnificent. Everybody associated with this football club should feel part of what has been achieved and what we are working towards. "We have everything in place and now we must strive to achieve the hard part and get into the Premier League. That's the aim as we start out and everybody at the football club will give their all - just as they did last season. "Tonight's match is part of our preparations for a new season. "Everything we do before that day is designed to ensure we are ready in every possible way. "We want to win tonight's match, but that is not the most important factor. "Tonight is a ramp-up match for the new stadium and we will give everybody possible a run-out. We have been training hard as a group and this is the next step."
After tonight's match the squad head to Portugal for a week and expect to play two games. Because of the late notice of this trip the opponents have not been finalised yet. Originally the pre season tour was going to be to Madeira but that was cancelled 14 days ago.
The next pre season match on these shores is the official opening of the new stadium on Wednesday July 22nd when City entertain Celtic. |
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