Spennymoor’s first two home games of the National League North season are being rearranged as the club lays a new pitch, among a number of improvements at the Brewery Field.

Jason Ainsley’s side start the season at Hereford FC on Saturday, August but the club is in the process of rearranging home games against Blyth Spartans on Tuesday, August 6 and Boston United on Saturday, August 10.

A record number of season tickets have been sold as the club aims to go one better after losing in last season’s play-offs in a penalty shoot-out. Carl Magnay, the former Hartlepool United defender, has this week joined Ainsley’s squad.

The pitch improvements are among a number of changes at the Brewery Field during the close season, which also includes a clubhouse and a new stand.

The club has been working since the end of last season to finance and arrange a series of works, with a new playing surface, including a sprinkler system and specialist drainage, of Football League standard being laid.

Moors have been hampered by drainage problems in the last two seasons, with a number of home games being postponed.

A new metal perimeter fence, replacing the previous wooden structure around the pitch, has been installed, with a new turnstile installed on the Tees Crescent entrance and an upgraded PA system and CCTV system.

Terracing work is set to begin behind the south goal, along to the dugouts. It replaces the current terracing, which is more than 100 years old, and will be completed by mid-August.

A covered stand will be installed behind the south goal when the terracing is completed, with planning permission granted.

A temporary matchday clubhouse will be pitched on the site of the former clubhouse with a capacity of 130 and open in mid-August.

Tony Wilson, Managing Director, said: “This is the culmination of a significant amount of work for the Chief Executive, myself and the management team.

“We have worked closely with Durham County Council and the Football Federation to make this possible and I would like to thank everyone for their support.

“We’ve put an emphasis on affordable football for all with our heavily-discounted season tickets this year and we want to make sure that everyone who has taken the decision to purchase one has a superb day out at every game.’’