Friendlies...

For those of us who've been counting down each passing day since the final ball was kicked in the Cup Final, have half-heartedly followed whatever football we've been able to cast our eyes on, namely the ultimately disappointing under-21 finals, and the pointless and downright annoying Confederations Cup, and can't possibly wait the five weeks until the season starts properly, there will at least be, providing you don't go mental in the meantime, some City action to look forward to in the meantime.

The first-team have four friendly games lined up, the Vodacom Challenge tournament which United and Spurs have both 'won' these last two years. Both games might yet be streamed live on the new website, and both will no doubt prove good run-outs. On the 1st of August we travel to Barnsley, a ground where some of you will have seen us dispatch of European giants EB Streymur last July, before finishing pre-season with a friendly against Celtic at Eastlands. It might not be the Thomas Cook trophy, but hey!

The second-string will play five games, all away, at neighbours Hyde, Northwich Vics and Stalybridge, plus trips to Rotherham and Dean Saunders' Wrexham. A couple of the games clash, on the 18th July and 1st August.

Wed 15 Jul, TBC, Hyde United v City Reserves
Sat 18 Jul, 2pm, Orlando Pirates v City
Sat 18 Jul, 3pm, Northwich Victoria v City Reserves
Tue 21 Jul, 7pm, Kaizer Chiefs v City
Fri 24 Jul, 11am, City Academy v Plymouth Argyle (at Alsager College)
Sat 25 Jul, 3pm, Wrexham v City Reserves
Sat 31 Jul, 11:30am, Coventry City v City Academy (at Alsager College)
Sat 01 Aug, 3pm, Barnsley v City
Sat 01 Aug, 3pm, Rotherham United v City Reserves
Tue 04 Aug, 7:30pm, Stalybridge Celtic v City Reserves
Wed 05th Aug, 10:30am, Rochdale v City Academy (at Lilleshall)
Wed 05th Aug, 7:45pm, Glasgow Rangers v City
Sat 08 Aug, 3pm, City v Celtic
Wed 12th Aug, 7pm, Witton Albion v City Youth