Take your seats!

Neil Joy, with the new stand in the background

LATICS chiefs have reassured fans that the new stand will be in use for the start of the new season.

Chief executive Neil Joy said everyone with a season ticket for the new North Stand will be able to take their seats for Latics’ first home league game against Fleetwood on August 15. But while those who have bought one of the 12 corporate boxes will be able to sit there, they won’t have use of the box facilities until the Bradford City game on September 5. One of the refreshment areas — the 1895 Bar — won’t be open until the Wigan Athletic clash on September 26. The club is talking to box owners about alternative arrangements and fans who have season tickets in the 100 Club — which allows exclusive access to the 1895 Suite at half time — will be accommodated in the other bar, the Broadway Suite, until the end of September.

The stand is still being fitted out, which led to rumours that it wouldn’t be finished in time for the season. The club has said it intends to use the Middlesborough Capital One Cup tie on August 11 and the first two home league games against Fleetwood and Shrewsbury as tests of the new areas and facilities. All the loos will be working two bars will be available within the stand.

Mr Joy said: “In an ideal world, we would be 100 per cent complete for the first home game but there is a lot of building regulation red tape to get through and the council and emergency services have to be completely satisfied everything is done correctly.

“This is the biggest development the club has ever carried out and it is one that will take the club forward. It is for the fans, for their benefit and for them to enjoy so I hope they will be patient with us.”

As well as seats and bars, the north stand also houses conference facilities, a medical imaging unit, an Oldham Community Leisure-run gym and a Sports Direct shop..