Annual fixture for fitting tribute

The inaugural 'Dave Holland Trophy' will be held every summer against Bridlington Town, with the venue alternating between Boro's new home at Weaponess and Queensgate following the passing of the lifelong fan in February aged 59.

The Seadogs, who announced the news before beating Burscough 5-0 at their temporary home on Saturday to stay in the race for the EVO-STIK NPL First Division North play-offs, have pencilled in Saturday 15 July for the first game at their new home after spending the last ten years playing in exile at Bridlington's ground.

Holland was the driving force behind the long campaign to bring the club home and his successor as Seadogs chairman, Trevor Bull, has made completing his legacy at the new stadium his first priority.

After his most recent tour of the stadium, he told a meeting of fans on Thursday night: "I was down there again last Friday just to check on progress, and the big news yesterday was that the floodlights have gone up, so that's getting everybody excited.

"I guess the next exciting part will be when the seats go in, and for those that are worried I can confirm that they will be red. I'm pleased to report that in the next couple of weeks the old Boro gates will be installed, they'll be used as gates they're not just there for show, so that gives us that link."

Widely known and respected for helping to reform the former Football League club with fellow fans after it was wound up in 2007 and as the driving force behind the new stadium being built to end their exile, Mr Holland's passing was widely mourned throughout Non-League on social media while many EVO-STIK NPL clubs held a minute's silence at fixtures after his death.

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