YEARS of planning and months of hard labour come to fruition tonight when Burnley open their new 8,000-seater North Stand as the Clarets entertain Bristol Rovers.

And it's fitting that the most modern development at Turf Moor for decades opens when new manager Adrian Heath is trying to build a bright future for his team on the field.

The bulldozers moved in last September but plans for the new-look Turf were first put on show at the club's AGM back in 1992.

But from drawing board to the laying of the first foundations was a long, hard process.

"Half my life seems to have been taken up with the stand," said director Clive Holt, who has masterminded the club's ground development.

"We still have some way to go but it certainly looks the part and I am pleased with the way things have gone.

"It was built to a budget at a realistic price and I suspect we won't please everyone.

"But the view from the stand is superb and I am sure it will be very popular.

"I will be extremely interested to hear people's views tonight."

He added that work has been going on round the clock to get things ready for tonight.

"We even had to get some electrical suppliers to open up for us on Sunday to get some equipment.

"And people have been working through the night to prepare the stand.

"I will only be able to relax once work on the East Stand is complete and that should be ready for the start of the new season," said Mr Holt.

Work on started last week on the second phase of the £6 million development on the old Bee Hole terrace. The terrace is being demolished and a new all-seater stand is being built.

Meanwhile, fans are being urged to arrive early for tonight's game.

Club secretary Mark Blackbourne said: "In some ways it is like moving into a new house.

"We accept that there will be teething problems tonight but we will hope to learn from them.

"We are asking people to be patient."

Mr Blackbourne added: "The staff are learning as well as the fans and it is going to get time to get used to the geography of the stand."

Ground season ticket holders who have not transferred can do so tonight but only to the lower tier.

They should go to Turnstile 26 which is at the Bee Hole End of the stand.

There will be 18 turnstiles in operation two banks of four at either end of the stand will service the lower tier.

People wanting concessions have until 4.30pm to buy them.

The Endsleigh Cricket Field Stand built at a cost of £180,000 was opened 1969 by the Prime Minister Ted Heath. The Bob Lord Stand was officially opened in 1974. It cost the club £450,000.

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