For the third time in four seasons, Olhanense’s opening home games will be played at the Algarve Stadium in Faro.
The playing surface at the José Arcanjo Stadium in Olhão has not recovered from maintenance work. Tomorrow’s (Saturday) game against Paços de Ferreira and the fixture against Sporting Lisbon on the weekend of September 14/15 will definitely take place at the stadium built for the Euro Championships 2004.
A group of disgruntled fans confronted match liaison officer Cunha Telmo on Monday evening, who informed them that the new Olhanense Futebol SAD wished to return to the club’s spiritual home as soon as possible.
Some fans who have bought their season tickets will not follow the team to the Algarve Stadium, where there is little atmosphere and travel arrangements to the venue are difficult.
Providing buses for the trip back and forth to the Algarve Stadium did not convince disgruntled socio-members, who stated that the last time Olhanense played there, a number of fans did not arrive home until 2am with only one bus operating.
The normally vocal Mosh Side group will be present but intend to conduct a silent protest – no drums, trumpets, whistles or banners.
Socio-members can obtain their tickets for the game with Paços de Ferreira, kick-off 6pm, from the Club Offices until lunchtime on Saturday. Alternatively, tickets will be available at the Algarve Stadium prior to the game. The public can purchase tickets at the Algarve Stadium ranging from €10 to €20. With a new ticketing system in operation fans should arrive early. Paços de Ferreira, who finished third last season, were playing Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening with the return leg in Russia next Wednesday.
