CHAIRMAN Eddie Mitchell has confirmed Cherries will open the new South Stand for the first time when European giants Real Madrid come to town on Sunday.

The temporary facility houses around 2,500 seats and Mitchell said tickets for the prestigious exhibition match would go on general sale at noon tomorrow.

Supporters queued through the night to snap up tickets on Thursday after season ticket holders had been given first option to secure their seats for the eagerly-awaited clash.

And with a further 2,500 tickets expected to fly out of the box office, a record crowd for the venue since it was redeveloped in 2001 is on the cards.

Speaking to the Daily Echo earlier today, Mitchell said: “It is going to be open and tickets will go on sale at noon tomorrow. If for any reason something happens, then money would be refunded but that would be the case with any of the stands. As far as I am concerned, we are ready and it will be signed-off.”

A team of construction workers has been on site around the clock with the new seats installed over the weekend, the stand having been little more than a shell for Cherries' friendly against West Ham on Saturday.

Mitchell added: “A great deal of effort has gone into getting it ready and I am very proud of the team we have got. We have pushed and pushed but that is what I have done all my life and it is nothing new to me. I would think it will sell out quite quickly.”

Regarding the issue of a safety certificate and tying up any loose ends, Mitchell said: “We know what we have got to do and we won't have any problems doing it. If we have to work through the night and pull in more men, we will to get it done. It is not a problem.

“It will be great to see a capacity crowd and I hope we can continue to do it in the Championship. We should fill it on a number of occasions and that is what we want to do.”