After an agonising 10 weeks, the football season is back as United kick off their pre-season campaign in Portstewart, this Saturday.

The Sky Blues travel up to the seaside to take on Trevor McKendry's First Division side at their Seavhaven ground (pictured above). The other sky blues narrowly avoided relegation to the Second tier of Irish League football, last season, after winning said division the season beforehand.

They were also put out in the third round of the Irish Cup last season, by Banbridge Town and were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Intermediate Cup last term.

Tommy Wright has indicated that he will take a small panel of 14-15 players to the North Coast for this opening friendly, with the rest of the panel travelling with the reserve squad to Ballymoney United, for their respective friendly at the Riada Stadium (which also has a 1.30pm kick-off).

Ballymena's only signing from Dungannon Swifts, Thomas Wray, is expected to travel with the first team squad for his first game in Ballymena colours. Wright has a fully-fit squad ahead of the game - as his players have been in training for two weeks now.

Gavin Melaugh and Lee Patrick are expected to return to the panel after being out of action since March. Whilst it is unclear whether Kevin Kelbie will be flown over from Scotland for the game.

Supporters are reminded that it is a 1.30pm kick-off, as to avoid clashing with the Milk Cup's Northern Ireland Select v Everton game kicking off at 3pm the same day at the Coleraine Showgrounds.

Key Player

20-year-old Goalkeeper Matthew McGraw has grown of age between the sticks at Seahaven, playing an influential role in the Seahawks League win a few seasons ago. Formerly with Coleraine and Ballymena United, the goalkeeper sought out a first-team place and joined Trevor McKendry's side in 2005. He has also represented Northern Ireland at junior level, and will be looked to put one over his former employers.

Travel Arrangements & Directions

As many of our supporters have never travelled to Seahaven, we have decided to post simple directions. The ground is situated just off the town's famous promenade, and is enclosed within St. John's Close housing estate. The ground is sign-posted sparingly in the surrounding area. From the Portstewart Arms pub in the town St John's close is a few hundred yards on the left on the Coleraine Road. Follow the road into St. John's Close and that will lead to the ground. There is a social club at the ground, as well for those feeling parched.

The Seven Towers' supporters club bus will be leaving the Moat Bar at 12pm, however the bus is now fully booked, and supporters wishing to make the journey will be forced to make their own way up.

Previous Meetings

The two sides have never previous met competively since the coastal club's formation in 1968. The last meeting between the two sides was in the summer of 1995. Alan Fraser's side beat Portstewart, 2-0, at the Warren grounds in the town in August '95. Finty McConville opened the scoring for United that day, with new Scottish signing - Ally Mauchlen scoring the second, his first for the club against the then Intermediate side.

The side that day was: Smyth, Mauchlen, Fullerton, Allen, McConnell, Moore, McConville, Gilmore, Moore, Lynch, McWalter. Subs - Grant, Carlisle, Curry.