Carshalton Athletic chairman Paul Dipre says the new 3G surface at Colston Avenue will give the club a solid financial future.

The installation of the FIFA 2* pitch has been ongoing at the club since the end of May with the top surface laid this week.

The Robins are set to host rivals Sutton United on July 28 (kick-off 7.45pm) in a pre-season friendly, and the new surface will be officially opened on August 8 when Dorking Wanderers are the visitors.

Dipre said: “This has been a three-year project with many challenges overcome, but we are finally nearly there.

“We have chosen a top-of-the-range FIFA 2* playing surface, which should serve us for a long time and offer the club solid financial security.

“The installation is slightly behind schedule, but we should be ready for next week's friendly against Egham [July 25], while general refurbishment work within the ground will continue throughout August.”

He added: “I want to personally thank the many fans, volunteers and players that have spent so much of their time helping us spruce up the ground.”

The move to 3G will allow many of the Carshalton Athletic teams, including the men’s and women’s first teams and various junior clubs, to both train and play at Colston Avenue.

Colston Avenue will also be used as the home venue for the Crystal Palace development squad, which is based at Carshalton Boys college, and the Robins’ own academy team.