Blackpool Football Club chairman Karl Oyston today revealed that it is the club's intention to officially open the new Armfield South Stand when the Seasiders play host to Crystal Palace on Saturday 20 March.

Speaking exclusively to the club's official website the chairman said:

"I am delighted to let our supporters know that it is our intention to open the South Stand when we play Crystal Palace next Saturday.

"There are still a couple of issues that the Safety Advisory Group and Council want us to address, but I am confident that the stand will be open and ready for business.

"All the season ticket holders in the North Stand have been written to and should have been allocated a new seat in the New South Stand, if you have not received your details please contact the ticket office.

"It is our intention to house the Palace and Swansea supporters in blocks A and B of the North Stand and fill remaining sections of Bloomfield Road with home supporters.

"Our March Madness campaign has proved extremely popular with supporters and I am delighted to announce that there will be another fantastic promotion to attract supporters to these two games.

"Our commercial and media teams have met with both the Gazette, Radio Lancashire and Radio Wave in the last couple of days and we are currently producing 10,000 leaflets and flyers to be sent across schools, clubs and pubs on the Fylde to advertise the news that the South Stand is opening and the ticket incentives we have on offer for the remainder of March.

"We have had a number of meetings in recent weeks to look at ways of improving our ticketing systems and I am confident in the coming months supporters will see an improved system in place.

"I would like to take this opportunity of thanking Jimmy Armfield for his patience and support but, in particular, I would also like to thank Mr Belokon for his help and assistance on making this project happen. He has been fantastic for the club in the short time he has been with us and I am delighted that Valeri and Jimmy, along with my father who has been fundamental to the club's ongoing survival for many years, will all be here to officially open the stand in just over a week."

Club President Valeri Belokon expressed his delight at the project being completed.

"I am sure that our supporters are as excited as I am that the stand is opening, it marks another important day in the history of this great club.

"The Armfield South Stand is fantastic tribute to a man who played 626 times for the club, I have had the honour of meeting Jimmy on a number of occasions and I am looking forward to being alongside him when we officially open the new stand later this month."

Asked about the length of time it has taken to complete the stand Belokon added:

"It has taken longer than anticipated to complete, but as those who were involved in the reconstruction will vouch it is not as simple as you might expect, I would like to pass on my thanks to Karl for the manner in which he has overseen the project. As ever, he has put the best interests of Blackpool Football Club first and we are delighted with that."