I have just looked at the list of friendlies games we have this summer and what struck me most was................... We are not playing the likes of Dereham, Fakenham or Lowestoft etc. this season, any idea why not? I thought these were regular matches that helped to generate some money for these local clubs.
I guess it's a reflection of the fact that we are "in demand" now as an attractive friendly fixture for clubs who might not have seen us as such even a year ago. Also, it doesn't mean we won't send a team to, e.g. Dereham, if they ask. Just guessing though.
It's a bit poor really - this is what small local teams rely on, these games. the smallest team we are playing is MK Dons! if you look at brighton's fixtures for example, they are playing chelsea, but also 5 or 6 non-league teams from the sussex/kent area.
I think its more that these are our main friendlies. The Fakenham, Dereham etc friendlies are usually made up of reserve team players or those coming back from injury. I seem to remember having two friendlies last season while the first team was out in Germany. Also, with us having a team in the Norfolk Senior Cup, the local clubs still get a bit of money.
Not going by them games I used to watch a few years ago, just about every fit player got a run out and these were the first two or three games of the "friendly season". A bit of a gentle run out to stretch the muscles a bit but there is nothing anywhere to suggest the same is happening this time round.
I'm just going on last seasons game against Fakenham. There were one or two new signings and a couple back from injury but it was mainly reserve/youth players who featured. Maybe the reason they've been dropped is because they don't really offer a challenge and there's too much of a risk of injuries by playing on pitches that aren't quite as good and against players who are a second or so later in their tackles.
Usually up until last summer our first friendly use to be against a Gorleston or a Fakenham etc and first team regulars would play. I have read that we are playing at least Enfield(i think) and Wroxham which would be attended by a so called Norwich XI. It is a shame that the local clubs are going to miss out on a lucrative day for a club of there stature but as Robbie says were more in demand now hence our first game is against Hertha Berlin Plus games away against Posh Hull and MK dons.
Certainly not true with regard to Dereham. I went last time (two years ago) and most first-teamers got a run out, Holt laid one on for Nelson, two goals from Cody McDonald, remember him?
What I can't understand is why the Celtic game is midweek ? I was considering a weekend in Glasgow and a visit to Parkhead as we might never play there again, but there's no way I could do midweek. Stupid idea if you ask me
Yeah, I was going to go originally, I was just about to book the train tickets when I noticed they'd changed the date!!! I think they moved it forward by a day, although not sure about that. ILD OTBC
you're right ILD, they have moved it forward a day. something i am still furious about because i spent money booking a hotel and travel costs which are now not refundable
Thats a bit tough, I WAS going to pay for 8 people, train tickets and hotels, so I suppose I'm lucky in that respect. ILD OTBC
bloody hell ILD! 8 people? no wonder you're relieved. i'm very disappointed with the lack of respect celtic have shown our fans over this. not a lot our club could do - either go along with the change or cancel altogether.
I've got a feeling it's something to do with the olympics! Police said 24 hours earlier or not at all!
yeah, they did dave. i'm sure celtic could have checked feasibility before agreeing to the friendly though
That's ****ing well ridiculous, how long have we known the Olympics were going to be on?????? I've got two 7 year olds and one 8 year old, who are totally gutted, I couldn't take them to the testimonial game, but they saw the great Celtic support on the telly, and were so looking forward to being part of it. They'd even learned that bloody song, Achy breaky thing!!!!!! This was going to be a very special treat for them! ILD OTBC PS, They aren't my children, mine are a bit older than that!!!!
