This news story will contain all the details for our friendly programme in 2010 and we’ll change the date in the title every time it’s updated, so keep checking back.
The Unibond League will start on Saturday 21 August 2010, so we’ve planned the following possible dates for friendly games. We’re in discussion with lots of clubs who have contacted us for games and we aim to prepare an interesting and balanced programme. Please see below for a reprint of the criteria we use for deciding on which games to play.
Sometimes pre-season seems a little crowded, because we usually try to play two friendly games a week to ensure all squad members benefit from a complete programme of pre-season games. All these dates are subject to change until games are confirmed separately, as in the links next to the games that have been announced.
Post Season
Sat 15 May 2010 - St Pauli (Hamburg, Germany)
Click here for details. An expat FC United fan in Hamburg has produced an
unofficial guide. For admission, travel and match preview please
Click here. For further match information and details of the social programme, please
Click here. The squad, including a surprise guest, is announced
here
Pre Season
Sat 10 July 2010 - Sutton Town AFC
Click here for details. Match information
here
Wed 14 July 2010 - West Didsbury and Chorlton v FCXI
MATCH POSTPONED Click here for details
Thur 15 July 2010 - Oldham Borough v FCXI
Click here for details.
Sat 17 July - Cliftonville (Belfast)
Click here for details. Please note the venue for this game will be Donegal Celtic’s home ground.
Click here for details.
An FC United fan from Cliftonville has produced an
unofficial guide.
Wed 21 July 2010 - Glossop North End v FCXI
Click here for details
Sat 24 July 2010 - Supporters Direct Tournament. Click
here for original story and
here for further details. Supporters Direct have launched their
Press Release
Tue 27 July 2010 - Wigan Robin Park
Click here for details
Sat 31 July 2010 - Stalybridge Celtic
Click here for details
Tue 3 Aug 2010 - Ramsbottom United v FC XI
Click here for details
Sat 7 Aug 2010 - Bala Town (Wales)
Click here for details. This game will kick off at 2.30pm
Click here for details. Bala have produced a brochure about the game -
click here.
Wed 11 Aug 2010 - Chester FC
Click here for details.
Sat 14 Aug 2010 - Mossley AFC
Click here for details.
Friendlies Criteria
We have previously published some background to how our programme of pre-season friendlies is planned. The following factors are considered when agreeing to games:
- Football considerations, i.e. will the match provide a good opportunity for the management team to assess our players?
- Charity requests for fundraising.
- Honouring obligations to teams that have given us specific help or have similar fan-based ownership.
- Attractiveness of the match for our fans.
- The willingness of the opponents to cover our expenses and share gate receipts
- Getting a mixture of local games alongside more distant travel, which may give an opportunity for teambuilding.
- Being invited. We have to play friendlies at away grounds; therefore we’re dependent on finding opponents who are prepared to host a game.