The committee men and supporters have been using the paintbrushes to good effect recently, and nothing has been left to chance in order to clinch inclusion in the new Premier Intermediate League.

The obligatory one hundred bucket-type seats are in place, and the toilets have been upgraded to include provision for disabled persons, so confidence is high in the boardroom, and the outcome will be known before the end of the month.

Meanwhile Jamesie Kirk has finalised his pre-season programme of friendlies, kicking off with that potentially lucrative clash with Linfield on Saturday 5th July. Comrades no doubt will be the envy of several other clubs in relation to the visit of the reigning Premier League and Irish Cup winners, and they have followed up this coup by clinching a home fixture against another Premier League side, Cliftonville, on Saturday 19th July. Both matches will have a three o'clock start.

These games will befollowed by three away fixtures, starting with a trip to Magheramorne on Thursday 24th to take on Newington Rangers. Next up will be a run down the A8 to Millbrook for the customary clash with Wellington Recreation on Tuesday 29th, finishing with a game in Carrick against Barn United on Thursday 31st.

Kirk is likely to include his two new strikers, Mark Craig and Ronnie Burns, against Linfield, and by that stage he has high hopes of having at least one more newcomer on view.

Missing for all these games will be Kieran Loughran, who contrary to reports elsewhere is not retiring. A combination of work commitments and impending surgery have forced him to take some time out, but he hopes to be back at some stage during the forthcoming campaign.

Comrades supporters are reminded that the AGM will be held in the Social Club on Thursday 26th June at 7.30 p.m. and secretary Don Horner appeals for a good turnout for the election of office-bearers.