Juicy line-up for Family Day

A bouncy-castle, jazz band and a large helping of football will all be on offer at the New Manor Ground on Saturday - and don’t be surprised if orange turns out to be the dominant colour of the day.

It’s the first opportunity that Ilkeston FC fans have had to get together and re-live the magnificent triumph in the Promotion Play-off Final against Leek Town, and the hope is that they will bring their families with them and turn it into a festive occasion.

Said chairman Dave Mantle: “I hope supporters have had a good break and like me, they can’t wait to get going again. When the game against Skegness United was arranged, we felt it might be a nice idea to turn it into a Family Day and hopefully, the weather will be kind to us.”

Admission is completely free and alongside all the other activities on offer, the new Club Shop is being officially opened at 1pm with the smart new orange away shirts going on sale for the first time, as will a range of other new merchandise items.

Highlight of the afternoon, of course, will be the opening pre-season fixture against Skegness United, when new striker Jamie Clarke is poised to make his first appearance for Ilkeston FC.

Although the main action gets underway at 3pm, the programme of events on either side of the action will be as follows:

The gates open at 12.30 and from 1pm, you will be able to visit the Club Shop and see the apprentices training on the training ground.

Also from 1pm the plan is to hold a Schools Penalty Competition with the best youngsters qualifying to take part in the finals in two age categories - during the half time interval at our first two League games.

Barbeque food, drink and ice-creams will be available throughout the afternoon and after the game, the players will make themselves available to sign autographs and pose for pictures.