Stones ready to rock as Watford come to Vale

WEALDSTONE FC will celebrate the opening of their new ground with a friendly against Championship outfit Watford on Wednesday next week.

Since a consortuim of Stones directors took over the lease at Ruislip Manor Sports and Social Club, in January, dedicated fans have been working tirelessly to bring the ground up to scratch in time for the new season.

To celebrate their work the Hornets have agreed to send down a strong side to face the Stones, as both teams kick off their pre-season preparations.

Manager Gordon Bartlett is delighted with the progress made at Grosvenor Vale and showed his great appreciation for the hard work put in over the last six months.

He said: "The difference is absolutely incredible and I can't express how grateful I am to everyone involved.

"I think it is going to be a real eye opener for those coming down to see the first game here, especially if they saw the condition it was in just three months ago.

"Hopefully their reward will be a successful season as well of course as great self satisfaction in what they have helped to achieve here."

The game against Watford will be the first game held at Wealdstone's very own ground for 17 years - having become famed for being nomadic since leaving their Lower Mead ground in the early 1990s.

And Bartlett is particularly pleased to welcome Watford as a good challenge for his side before the season starts next month.

He added: "It's brilliant to be able to showcase the ground for the first time against Watford.

"I think they'll bring a strong side and play a lot of their first team players at some stage in the game.

"We would like to do better than last year but I always say that pre-season games mean nothing. If we win or lose it proves nothing, it is just a great way to get a closer look at my players and also maybe enquire about some of Watford's, as we have done in the past."

The two sides met in July last year with Watford comfortably winning 4-0 but Wealdstone will be looking to improve on that result this year as they welcome their first ever opponents to the Vale.