close their ground for the upcoming season to do some repair work on both the field and lights.

And the plan is to mark the new lights on 80-90 foot poles and a better playing surface with a return to the First Division next season.

The current lights have been malfunctioning for 18 months, leaving club officials to choose between costly repairs and replacing the entire system.

"We have an application in (to the Planning Department) and it has been approved in principle,'' said president Chris Furbert yesterday.

"I had a meeting with Planning last Monday and it was a fairly positive meeting and before the end of the year the work should be started. We'll get the new lights and a new field (surface) by next September, that's a guarantee.'' But the work on the Warwick club will not stop there. Recent ambitious plans called for a facility to be built on adjacent land owned by the club, but that was objected to by neighbours.

Now club officials are looking at building a new clubhouse inside the ground on the south-western corner of the field. Eventually the existing clubhouse will be torn down.

"Hopefully another six months or year after that (new lights) we'll have a new club,'' Furbert said of the club's plans to improve their facilities for the next millennium. He admitted there would be some inconvenience while the projects are undertaken.

"Look a little further down the road and see what you've got coming back in return,'' Furbert stressed.

"Now we're going to put everything on the existing plant. Those plans are being worked on right now and should be submitted to Planning by November.

"I would like to break ground for the new club by the end of March.'' Three clubs will have new home fields for the 1998-99 season because of the closure of the field.

The Zebras will share Southampton Oval with Rangers while league champions Vasco have switched to BAA Field.

The third team that played at PHC Stadium, Young Men's Social Club, will now use Bernard Park for their home matches.

A fourth team, Devonshire Colts, also have a new home field for 1998-99. After two seasons at BAA Field they have switched to White Hill.

The first round of league matches is scheduled for October 4 when champions Vasco begin the defence of their title at home to Dandy Town. Boulevard are at home to Devonshire Colts while North Village take on promoted Hamilton Parish at Bernard Park. Southampton Rangers meet Devonshire Cougars and Second Division champions Wolves meet Somerset Trojans at Devonshire Rec.

Ireland Rangers have made the step up from the Commercial League and will make their Second Division debut at Police Field against Prospect on October 4.

PHC, relegated to the Second Division for the second time last season, open their campaign against Somerset Eagles at Southampton Oval. In other opening day matches Social Club entertain St. George's at Bernard Park and Paget take on St. David's at White Hill.

Holders Boulevard need just a draw tonight at BAA Field (8.00) against Vasco to advance to the semi-finals of the Martonmere Cup.

Boulevard have already beaten Vasco this season in the Charity Cup.

Defender Leroy Stevens, who was sent off in that match will return to the Boulevard defence after serving a one-match ban.