Weekend preview: Special occasion as Chris Kirkland Stand opens

Saturday is set to be a special occasion for Royal Wootton Bassett Town with the official opening of the Chris Kirkland Stand ahead of the Men's First Team's League Premier Division fixture against Hartpury University (3pm kick off). The stand will be opened in a ceremony held at 2.30pm, thirty minutes before kick off. The club are honoured that Chris's wife Maureen, along with several members of the Kirkland family, will be present to officially open the stand. All are welcome to attend to celebrate the occasion and to pay tribute to the remarkable contribution that Chris made. Admission for the fixture - Bassett's first ever competitive contest against Hartpury - will be by donation, with all proceeds donated to a cause chosen by the Kirkland family. Further information on the naming of the stand and the contribution Chris made to the football club and wider sporting community in Royal Wootton Bassett can be read here. Meanwhile on Sunday the Women's First Team kick off their South West Regional Women's Football League Division One North campaign with a derby visit to Purton (2pm kick off at the Red House). A repeat of last season's opening league fixture (when the teams were in the Eastern Division) that saw Bassett win 3-0 courtesy of an Emma Sykes brace and Libby Davies goal, Bassett will be hoping for a similar outcome this time as they aim to get off the mark at the earliest possible opportunity.