By JARROD POTTER
THE locks have finally come off.
The gates at George Andrews Reserve will re-open to Dandenong Thunder fans tomorrow (Friday) night as the Thunder takes on ladder leaders Northcote City for the chance to move into the top half of the Victorian Premier League (VPL) ladder.
The club was fined $40,000, had three VPL championship points deducted and was forced to shut the gates on its first five VPL matches this season as part of FFV/FFA tribunal sanctions.
All those problems are now behind the club now and everyone is thrilled to get back in to watch the Thunder up close.
“It’s exciting for everyone – we’re hoping Friday night will be a blockbuster match,” Dandenong Thunder spokesman Sezar Jakupi said.
“We’re the current VPL champions and playing Northcote who are runaway leaders.
“Hopefully we’ll get a really good turnout and get some atmosphere back into the ground.”
Jakupi wanted to thank the Thunder faithful who watched the lockout matches from the Dandenong Bypass fence-line or streamed live at a local gymnasium and hopes they enjoy being back inside the reserve on Friday.
A bumper crowd is expected at the VPL match, which starts at 8.30pm Friday, following the Thunder’s under-21 match at 6.30pm.
Dandenong Thunder won its FFV State Knockout Cup clash over St Kilda City 3-0 win and for more on the Thunder’s win, turn to Sport.
