A NEW stand will be used for the first time when Oxford City host Boston United at Marsh Lane on Saturday.

The club have erected a new 180-seater covered stand, which will allow them to compete in the Vanarama North play-offs, if they qualify.

City’s existing seated stand holds 380, but Conference rules require clubs to have a minimum of 500 seats before the end of March to compete in the play-offs.

City are eighth, three places and five points outside the play-off positions, but will require the additional seating if they do finish in the top five.

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Colin Taylor, City’s managing director, said: “We have to do it now, even though we don’t yet know whether we’re going to be in the play-offs or not.

“You have to have it just in case and, as we’re on the verge of that, that’s what we’ve decided to do.”

But regardless of which division the club are in next season, the additional seating is here to stay.

“We will certainly have 500 seats for next season,” Taylor said.

“There’s a continual process of improvement at the ground.”