Olympic Games creating knock-on problems for Watford's pre-season schedule
8:00am Friday 25th May 2012 in Sport By Anthony Matthews
Watford have revealed they will be travelling to Ireland for their pre-season training camp but the Olympics are continuing to cause problems with regard to arranging two more matches before the new Championship campaign gets underway on Saturday, August 18.
Sean Dyche’s men will play one game across the Irish Sea, against Cork City on Tuesday, July 24 (7.30pm kick-off), having travelled out the day before and returning the following Saturday.
The rest of the pre-season schedule has been finalised, with the exception of matches on Tuesday, August 7 and Saturday, August 11.
The Hornets, who are not the only club affected, are looking to play opposition from the London region but it is proving difficult to confirm arrangements for those dates because of the increased demand on police resources due to the Olympic Games.
“The organisation of any football fixture in London and the surrounding areas is proving problematical for all affected clubs,” explained Watford’s football business director Ross Wilson of his club’s failure to so far nail down two final pre-season fixtures.
“We are pleased to have already secured the date for Lloyd Doyley’s testimonial match, and we’re expecting our pre-season schedule to be completed in full very soon.”
The Hornets begin their pre-season with the now traditional games at Boreham Wood and Wealdstone on Tuesday, July 17 (7.30pm) and Saturday, July 21 (3pm) respectively.
Following the trip to Ireland, they return to face Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park on Tuesday, July 31 (7.30pm) – a game that could see Chairboys duo Joel Grant and Marvin McCoy line up against the club where they started their careers.
Wycombe boss Gary Waddock told the club’s official website said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to arrange a game with a side of Watford’s quality.
“It’s a good fixture in our pre-season programme and it will test the players’ fitness levels against a Championship team.”
The showpiece of pre-season follows on Saturday, August 4, Doyley’s testimonial match against Tottenham Hotspur at Vicarage Road.
Prior to the match against Harry Redknapp’s side at 3pm, there will be a legends game between past players from both clubs.
Only one development game has been confirmed so far, a short trip to St Albans City on Wednesday, August 1.
Source: www.watfordobserver.co.uk
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