THERE'S a change sweeping through Bloomfield Road with the arrival of Karl Oyston at the helm.

No more promises of a superstadium at Whyndyke Farm, there's now an affiliated supporters club, the Tangerine faithful have even chosen the new kit.

And it's all part of Mr Oyston's plan to be more honest with fans.

As he told the Citizen: "I'm not making promises which get people's hopes up.

"I don't want to make the same mistakes which have happened in the past.

"If you get too wrapped up in the football side and rule with your heart not your head that's when you make mistakes.

"You have to be able to be objective."

This will be achieved through a newsletter, sent out to everyone on a new fan database, a first-class revamped website and information provided in the club shops.

But fans won't be constantly bombarded, only when there's something to say according to Mr Oyston.

"That was one of the big problems for the club in the past - more information was put out than perhaps there was an interest for."

News on the stadium development will be wanted by every fan, but be patient is the plea: "As far as I am concerned Whyndyke is dead and buried," said Mr Oyston.

"Instead we are looking at developing Bloomfield Road and have been talking to the council as we want any application we submit to be achieveable and realistic.

"We are now pursuing an application based on these discussions.

"People seem to think the council is not interested in the football club but that isn't the case.

"They have been very helpful. We feel they are behind the realistic development of the club as well as the Central Corridor."

Most of the other changes close season have been unseen - the Bloomfield Road shop has been altered, a new one opened in Church Street, the two junior supporters clubs have merged and there's a less scary face to the mascot Tango.

On the playing front, left-sided midfielder Richard Forsyth has been signed from Stoke and Paul Beesely snapped up from Manchester City, both on free transfers under the Bosman ruling.

Saying goodbye are Chris Malkin who has moved to non-league Telford and Anton Rogan.

Marvin Bryan is still on a week-to-week contract although the club has made him an offer and hope he will agree terms soon.

All bodes well for the start of the new campaign on August 7 with season ticket sales - around 1,600 to 1,700 have been bought so far - up on this time last year.

"I think we're ready," said a confident Mr Oyston.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.