Words John Edwards

Matchday at The J.Davidson Stadium is always something to look forward to, especially with a new season still in its infancy, but it promises to be extra special this Saturday after the club arranged for Chris Conn-Clarke to be guest of honour against Ebbsfleet United.

Gates are opening earlier than usual at The J.Davidson Stadium to make the most of Chris being back among Alty fans just a couple of months after bringing the curtain down on one of the most successful and exhilarating Robins careers in living memory by joining League One Peterborough United for an undisclosed club record fee.

With internationals taking centre stage this Saturday, and Chris therefore having a free weekend, Alty chief executive Sam Mackenzie seized on the opportunity to invite him back to a venue he lit up on a regular basis last season with his prolific finishing and sheer brilliance.

Underlining his lasting affection for the club, he accepted in a trice and will be renewing acquaintances off the pitch as well as on it prior to and during Alty's quest to climb the Vanarama National League table.

The turnstiles are opening early at 1pm to give supporters every opportunity to be inside the ground and in position for the start of the 22-year old attacking midfielder's first speaking engagement, which will be in the Fan Zone at 1.30pm.

There, in an interview conducted by press and media officer Brian Flynn, Chris will look back on an unforgettable campaign in which his 23 goals and 12 assists was unmatched as an attacking statistic in the National League and rightly won him the league's player-of-the-year award as the Robins finished fourth and made the play-offs for the first time.

He will then head over to the John King Lounge, where he will take questions from hospitality guests in what promises to provide another intriguing insight into how he excelled as the National League's top performer last season.

After having lunch with Sam and everyone else in the sponsors' lounge, Chris will then cheer on the Robins, as the team bid to build on the way they increasingly pushed Oldham back after going behind last Saturday and equalised through a second-half header from Regan Linney.

The club pride themselves on providing matchday hospitality of the highest order, with the quality of cuisine and service on offer increasingly attracting glowing praise from supporters who are availing themselves of it in growing numbers.

A two-course meal that is never less than culinary excellence at its finest, a complimentary pre-match bar and a free Robins Review programme, all combined with an address by manager Phil Parkinson, make for an experience that represents outstanding value for money.

This Saturday, it will be Chris taking the microphone, and if you want the chance to put your hand up and ask the most talented Alty player we've had in years a question, there are still a few places available that can be snapped up here.

The club always strive to lay on as packed and varied a programme of matchday attractions as possible, and this Saturday is certainly no exception.

As well as watching and listening to Chris being interview by Brian at 1.30pm, and enjoying a range of beers that includes Sureshot, Cloudwater and Pomona Island, supporters in the Fan Zone can also look forward to top-notch live music, with a gig by Solly Temkin, from local band The Bliss.

Don't forget, to cut down on queues, you can pre-order your half-time pint, ready to collect after already being poured, in both the Fan Zone and the Community Sports Hall.

And that's not all. Alty battling it out with Ebbsfleet for National League points is the main focus of attention, but there's more football on offer afterwards, with no fewer than four screens showing live coverage in the Community Sports Hall of the UEFA Nations League Group Two 5pm kick-off between the Republic of Ireland and England.

So much to look forward to from start to finish this Saturday afternoon. Give yourself a treat and book one of those few remaining hospitality places if you can, but, whatever happens. don't miss out on this action-packed matchday - see you Saturday!