King's Lynn chairman Ken Bobbins has admitted the delayed Main Stand summer facelift at The Walks will blow a huge hole in the club's early season finances.

King's Lynn chairman Ken Bobbins has admitted the delayed Main Stand summer facelift at The Walks will blow a huge hole in the club's early season finances.

Bobbins confirmed Norwich City's high profile visit on Wednesday, July 18 is set to be the Southern League, Premier Division outfit's only home pre-season fixture.

Lynn are poised to meet Health and Safety officials next week to set a reduced capacity limit for the prestige match.

The club's function room and bars will also remain shut after heavy recent rain penetrated the exposed Main Stand roof - currently undergoing a £350,000 revamp.

“We are in the process of meeting safety officials and fire officers to get some guidance on numbers,” he said. “At that stage we'll be able to announce admission details for the other three sides of the ground that will be open. We'll make provision for temporary changing rooms and there'll be fast food vans and soft drinks available on the night.”

Lynn have already made Southern League representations to play their opening month's fixtures away from home.

“The club is going to have to be substantially subsidised during this period,” said Bobbins. “The biggest problem we face is lack of revenue. The Blue and Gold function room looks like someone has let off a water cannon inside - it's a complete mess and we are losing income from all those cancelled events. The players don't officially start until the first league game. We normally rely on that home income when in the first month you would expect to play three or four matches. Of course we will be costing that into our insurance claims but as anybody who has had to deal with something like this knows, there is no guarantee of a payout or even when that might happen.

“Unfortunately it is bouncing between the council and the contractors - with us in the middle. The work will be done whatever, but it's about who foots the bill. We can't do anything more than bits and pieces until the roof actually gets put on the stand.”

Bobbins revealed former Scotland U21 keeper Scott Howie has re-signed for the club. Howie made an impressive impact towards the end of Lynn's Southern Premier campaign last season.

“Scott is as keen as mustard and he is prepared to challenge Paul Crichton for the number one spot,” said Bobbins. “I think we've probably got the two best keepers in the league. He will come along to all the training sessions and will be available for the matches - home or away.”

Former Norwich City midfielder Andrew Fisk trained with Keith Webb's squad in midweek. Fisk spent a season long loan at The Walks last year before his Carrow Road exit. Skilful frontman Matt Nolan also signed Southern League forms after returning from holiday. Webb has ended his interest in defender Steve Julian after the ex-Stamford player joined Southern League rivals Corby Town.

Lynn officials have confirmed another away friendly at Unibond club Grantham on Saturday, August 11. (3pm).