Ross County’s Victoria Park home will have a new name when the Dingwall side make their Scottish Premier League (SPL) debut in two weeks’ time.
Following its extensive close-season upgrade to bring it up to SPL standards, it was announced yesterday afternoon (Thursday) that the ground is to be known as the Global Energy Stadium, thus incorporating the name of the highly successful company founded by County Chairman Roy MacGregor.
However, the address of the ground will still be Victoria Park.
A summer of intense activity and investment of more than £1.7 million has seen the ground transformed into an impressive all-seater stadium with capacity for more than 6000 fans. Undersoil heating has been installed, a new pitch laid, large new car parking areas created and a number of other important improvements made in and around the stadium.
Club vice-president, Gordon MacRae, said renaming the ground recognised the strong links between two of the Highlands’ most successful brands in Ross County and Global, whilst still retaining the Victoria Park address which has been synonymous with County for so many years.
He said: "Over the past few years Ross County and the Global Energy Group have been two of the Highlands’ and Scotland’s real success stories and it is no coincidence that they have a chairman in common in Roy MacGregor.
"As we enter this incredibly exciting new era with a stadium of which every County fan can feel justifiably proud, I think it is fitting that the close relationship between these two successful brands is recognised in this way.
"At the same time, as fans first and foremost and understanding the importance of the club’s history as well as its future, we are delighted the Victoria Park name will continue in this new title."
Global Energy Group Managing Director, Iain MacGregor, said: "All the hard work that has gone on over the summer has seen the development of a very impressive stadium with which we are proud to be so closely associated. Now, like everyone else, I am really looking forward to seeing the team in action in the SPL at the Global Energy Stadium."
One of the Highland Amateur Cup semi-finals is taking place in Golspie tomorrow (Saturday) – Wick Groats play Muir of Ord Rovers at Stafford Park, kick-off 3pm.
