The County Ground playing surface is taking shape with groundsman Marcus Cassidy carrying out the first cut on Tuesday lunchtime.

The pitch has been overhauled during the close season with the Town management making it clear they would like a pitch to be proud of, with Cassidy explaining the work which has been carried out so far.

"It has been three weeks today since we put the seed down and since then we have been constantly getting the water on. The pitch had its first feed on Friday and then I cut it for the first time at lunchtime today," he said.

"We had a little bit of damage done to the pitch over the Bank Holiday weekend with all the rain we had, but we can rectify that by putting some more seed down over the coming days as a precaution.

"I am pretty pleased with the way things going. There is six weeks until the first game and with a lot of sun, it should be in tip top condition for the Portsmouth game on 18^th July."

Cassidy is also hoping his County Ground surface can develop into one of the best in the division. Having joined the club on a full-time basis, he is hoping to be amongst the honours at the end of the campaign.

"The last recognition the pitch got was in 2003/04 when we came second in the Pitch of the Year awards.

"I have joined the club as full-time groundsman and this will allow me to give the pitch the kind of time it needs to be in contention for the end of season awards.

"There is new machinery on the way and we have a much-improved budget to work with for in-season maintenance, which is fantastic."

He added: "The manager has been great too, promising not to train on the pitch during in the week, unlike our previous Gaffer!"

Supporters are reminded that the deadline for renewing existing Season Tickets is 5pm, Monday 16th June 2008. All seats previously held will be released on general sale from 9am, Tuesday 17th June.

The STFC Box Office will be open this Saturday 9am - 12pm, Sunday 10am - 1pm and Monday 9am - 5pm.