FORMER Aston Villa manager John Gregory was the guest of honour at the official opening of St Neots Town s new stadium. Players, managers and supporters past and present packed into the new Rowley Park ground for the opening of multi-million pound stadium

FORMER Aston Villa manager John Gregory was the guest of honour at the official opening of St Neots Town's new stadium.

Players, managers and supporters past and present packed into the new Rowley Park ground for the opening of multi-million pound stadium.

Gregory, who was recently linked with the Leicester City manager's job, said he was honoured that a function room at the new facility has been named after his father, John Snr, who played for St Neots.

He told guests: "The facility you have here is absolutely amazing and my family is very honoured to have this suite named after dad.

"I spent an enormous amount of time following Saints up and down the country on the team bus with dad and I wish Marvin [Johnson - St Neots manager] fantastic success and good luck for the season."

The guests listened to further speeches from former chairman Bob Bridges and life president John Walker, who said he proudly claimed to be the worst player ever to play for St Neots Town.

Jonathan Djanogly, MP for Huntingdon, was also a guest at the event and said: "I am absolutely staggered at what a wonderful new facility this is for the club and the people of St Neots - it is a great benefit to the town."

John Delaney, club director and organiser of the event, announced that another room at the clubhouse would be named after Terry Reedman, a former player and manager.

The boardroom will be known as the Walker Room, after John Walker, while the club also nominated six honourary life vice-presidents, including Reedman.

The club has also confirmed a star-studded pre-season friendly line-up with manager Marvin Johnson welcoming his old club Luton Town to Rowley Park on July 24.

Delaney told guests: "We are playing in the United Counties League but we should act and behave like we are three levels higher."

Pre-season friendlies - Key Matches

July 12 Kettering Town (Home)

July 24 Luton Town (Home)

July 29 Oxford United (Home)

Aug 2 Bedford Town (Home)