Source: FOOTYMAD
Shots Face Scottish Premier Side
Aldershot Town have confirmed that they will face Scottish Premier League side Inverness Caledonian Thistle in a change of pre-season friendlies. Aldershot Town have announced six fixtures that have been planned as they prepare to embark on their 2011-12 campaign, with all but two taking place at the EBB Stadium. Forming part of the agreement that sees new signing Bradley Bubb arrive at the club, the club have agreed to make the short journey to the Rushmoor Stadium on Sunday 10th July to face Conference South neighbours Farnborough. After an impressive campaign the 'Boro only missed out on a second successive promotion losing the play-off final against Ebbsfleet United in a match that attracted over 4000 spectators to the Hampshire ground in May. They also have a new manager in place with Garry Haylock replacing Steve King in June. On Tuesday 12th July manager Dean Holdsworth will be taking his squad to Conference side Tamworth - Alex Rodman’s previous club, who despite a difficult 2010-11 campaign, managed to retain their Conference status by three points. Four days later, on Saturday 16th July, the original friendly fixture versus AFC Bournemouth has been postponed after the Dorset club chose to enter a tournament on the same date. The cancellation also meant that Scottish Premier side Inverness Caledonian Thistle were without a fixture after also agreeing to play the south coast club. After accepting an approach from The Shots, the club have announced that former England International Terry Butcher will be bringing his side to the EBB Stadium on that date. "Caley" won the Scottish First division in 2010 and last season finished seventh in the Premier division equalling their highest ever placing. They also went through the entire 2010 calendar year unbeaten away from home. In May they defeated Celtic 3-2 at their Caledonian Stadium, a result that gave Rangers the initiative to go on and win the Scottish Premier League. Moving on another four days to Wednesday 20th July and former Premiership club Charlton Athletic visit north Hampshire, and although the League One side had a comfortable mid-table finish this time round, they will almost certainly be looking to improve their efforts once the new season gets underway. New Shots signing Ross Worner will be hoping to feature against his former club. The Shots face their toughest test three days later [on Saturday 23rd July], when Tony Pulis brings FA Cup Finalists Stoke City down south, for a mouth-watering tie against Premiership opposition. City Coach Mark O'Connor is also a former Aldershot and Farnborough District Schoolboy and a pupil at Camberley's France Hill School. The fixtures conclude a week later when there is more League One opposition – this time in the form of Brentford, who finished just outside the top ten, who will be making the short trip to the EBB Stadium to round off our preparations. The League Two campaign gets underway on Saturday 6th August. Full pre-season list: Sun 10 July: away v Farnborough (3pm) Tue 12 July: away v Tamworth (7.45pm) Sat 16 July: home v Inverness Caledonian Thistle (3pm) Wed 20 July: home v Charlton Athletic (7.45pm) Sat 23 July: home v Stoke City, (3pm) Sat 30 July: home vs Brentford (3pm) Admission prices for the matches will be set at £10 for adults and £5 for all concessions and this remains the same for terrace or seated tickets. There will be incentives offered to supporters who wish to attend these fixtures and further information will be provided in due course.
