The Citizens have used various facilities for training since their formation almost two years ago, utilising the Hamilton rugby fields outside Green Point Athletics Stadium for a period of time, before moving to Sunningdale Sports Grounds.
However, following an announcement in January that club owner John Comitis had signed a lease to build a 10 000-seater stadium at Hartleyvale, the club last month began using the venue as their training ground, where coach McCarthy holds many memorable recollections from his childhood.
“It’s amazing being here,” he said. “You get that love for football back again because the pitches are in unbelievable condition, and just for us to be able to train here … for me growing up, this used to be the holy ground. The old Hellenic used to play here, and I used to come and watch as a kid. I used to come watch Hellenic against Chiefs and Pirates, and now to be here on a regular basis is so rewarding for the players.”
After bouncing between various venues, McCarthy is delighted with the condition of the fields his side now get to train on, and feels fortunate to be able to put his charges through their paces on surfaces he equates with the Cape Town Stadium pitch.
“It’s great that the club can provide the players with such facilities where we can prepare for each game,” he said. “It’s been really nice and comfortable, and they’ve looked after the pitch really well – the training pitch is as good as the stadium’s pitch, so we’re fortunate that we are here.”
The club are in talks to extend their lease so the construction of the stadium can commence, with Comitis’ plan to have the compact 10 000-seater built within two years.
City, who are currently four matches without a win and sit sixth in the Absa Premiership, are preparing for Saturday night’s fixture against 14th-placed SuperSport United at Cape Town Stadium.
Kick-off is set for 20h15.