Glenavon has been working with Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council officials to prepare for the safe return of Premiership football to Mourneview Park once current government restrictions on crowds attending sporting events have been eased.

To this end it has been agreed with the Council that our club will plan to stage two pre-season friendlies at home to trial the required Covid-19 matchday procedures and protocols and also accommodate a limited number of spectators within Mourneview Park. These friendlies have been set for Saturday, September 26 and Saturday, October 3.

The club will be seeking volunteer marshals to assist with crowd control at these games and interested persons are encouraged to advise any club director or the club office of their availability. Both games will have the traditional 3pm kick-off. Further details will be confirmed in due course.

Wednesday’s friendly with Belfast Celtic is an essential part of Gary Hamilton’s pre-season preparations. The sudden decision to switch the friendly to Mourneview Park has unfortunately come too late in the planning process for our club to seek Council approval to allow some supporters to attend this game. Regrettably therefore the game must be staged behind closed doors with only essential personnel from each club permitted to attend.

Hopefully supporters will appreciate the unprecedented difficulties being faced by our club at this difficult time for everyone.