Sun, Nov 08 2009
Crewe Alexandre coach Steve Holland said he believed the team's first pre-season friendly against Bulgaria's FC Maritsa on July 9 would be "a good experience for the lads," UK's The Sentinel reports.
"What will be good about the game is that we're playing in the heat. Often the early games in the season are 3pm kick-offs on hot days," Holland was quoted as saying.
The Alex have been in Bulgaria since Saturday July 5 as a guest of Maritsa's club owner Rangel Berberov on a pre-season training.
Holland took 26 players to Bulgaria for the training. The Alex will play their first pre-season friendly with two different teams, one at either side of half-time.
Crewe's Calvin Zola and Gary Roberts did not join the team for the training in Bulgaria. Striker Zola was said to be concerned about re-entering the UK after previous problems, while Roberts was said to not be "in the right frame of mind". Midfielder Roberts is currently on the transfer list and was reportedly close to signing a Championship side. According to Sportbox.tv, Roberts was "expected to move to either Blackpool or Cardiff City."
"This is a training week essentially, but we are pleased to play Maritsa as they have gone to a lot of trouble to lay on our stay," Holland was quoted as saying by TheSentinel.
The friendly is played in the Sunny Beach resort on the Black Sea coast, the kickoff is at 7pm.
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