Summer 2008 Visitors...

[mgrayscale]

I got this email alert earlier today that directed me to the Burnley Express online site (http://www.burnleyexpress.net/burnleyfc/Clarets-to-play-USA-tour.4146631.jp), which stated that Burnley was scheduled to play the Aztex U23 team on July 9th in Austin during the Claret's summer tour of America. The Clarets are also scheduled to play the Minnesota Thunder (USL1) on July 15th. At this point, I've not seen anything from the Aztex, and thus, am treating it as rumor.

For those like me who hadn't heard of Burnley before, they are in the English Coca-Cola Championship League (from whence Stoke were promoted). They finished this last season in 13th, with 64 points (vs. the 81 that lead the league).

So it looks like we'll have some footbal even after the final match of the regular PDL season.

[KillerMoth]

I've found several hits on this on Google News, and as mentioned in my other thread, it is on Burnley's web site.

[VioletCrown]

I got this email alert earlier today that directed me to the Burnley Express online site (http://www.burnleyexpress.net/burnleyfc/Clarets-to-play-USA-tour.4146631.jp), which stated that Burnley was scheduled to play the Aztex U23 team on July 9th in Austin during the Claret's summer tour of America. The Clarets are also scheduled to play the Minnesota Thunder (USL1) on July 15th. At this point, I've not seen anything from the Aztex, and thus, am treating it as rumor.

For those like me who hadn't heard of Burnley before, they are in the English Coca-Cola Championship League (from whence Stoke were promoted). They finished this last season in 13th, with 64 points (vs. the 81 that lead the league).

So it looks like we'll have some footbal even after the final match of the regular PDL season.

See my post in the other thread. We have 3 more games after this friendly, then the playoffs.

...I'm also seeing about getting someone to combine threads.

[mgrayscale]

Bad news, kids, but the July 9th match against Burnley is off according to the VitalFootball.co.uk (http://www.burnley.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=112380) website, as a result of fixture clash. Instead, they're going to be playing the Carolina Railhawks.

Dammit.

[duality72]

Well, that bites. :(

[VioletCrown]

Bad news, kids, but the July 9th match against Burnley is off according to the VitalFootball.co.uk (http://www.burnley.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=112380) website, as a result of fixture clash. Instead, they're going to be playing the Carolina Railhawks.

Dammit.

Well, I guess I understand.

Does Burnley want to play here:

http://www.austinaztex.com/imgs/fanzone/fanphotos/houston-05-05-08.084.jpg

or here:

http://www.carolinarailhawks.com/images/stories/stadium_banner.jpg

Sad as I am about the news, I know which I'd pick.

Darn. I was looking forward to that. And I'm sure the players were as well. But it'll be better to have that space in the schedule, I think.

[mgrayscale]

I would agree, if it were Burnley who said, "No, thanks". However, that wasn't clear in the article. I know there was some concern voiced on this blog that this falls at a bad time for us as it's coming to the end of the season, and as we're trying to maintain our current position before post season play.

All in all though, I agree, it's a shame. I was looking forward to seeing them.

On a side note, don't forget that the 2008-2009 English Premier League schedule is scheduled for release this Monday, June 16th at 04:00 a.m. CDT. You can visit www.stokecityfc.com (http://www.stokecityfc.com) to view the matches for the Potters.

[sokaymckay]

According to the Burnley web article, "The club's eager to develp relations across the Atlantic." Then I would have to say it's Burnley's loss.

Too bad, today I just ordered the "Claret's Away top" for my collection.

Now I really I can't wait to see Stoke City.

[sokaymckay]

Well, I guess I understand.

Does Burnley want to play here:

http://www.austinaztex.com/imgs/fanzone/fanphotos/houston-05-05-08.084.jpg



my new screen saver wallpaper. :D

[mgrayscale]

Burnley's out, but Tigres are in...

The Aztex posted an announcement at their website (http://www.austinaztex.com)this afternoon that they will be playing a friendly against Mexico’s Club Deportivo U.A.N.L. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UANL_Tigres) (aka Tigres) on June 29th, 7:00 p.m. CDT, at Dragon Stadium. They are making a tour of the U.S. playing several different teams, including the Portland Timbers (USL1) on July 15th. I also saw that the Austin American-Statesman (http://www.statesman.com/search/content/sports/stories/other/06/17/0617aztex.html) will have a blurb on the match in tomorrow mornings paper.

I would suggest that you get tickets for this match ASAP, as history has proven when a Mexican side comes to Texas, the stands fill up quick.

[VioletCrown]

Burnley's out, but Tigres are in...

The Aztex posted an announcement at their website (http://www.austinaztex.com)this afternoon that they will be playing a friendly against Mexico’s Club Deportivo U.A.N.L. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UANL_Tigres) (aka Tigres) on June 29th, 7:00 p.m. CDT, at Dragon Stadium. They are making a tour of the U.S. playing several different teams, including the Portland Timbers (USL1) on July 15th. I also saw that the Austin American-Statesman (http://www.statesman.com/search/content/sports/stories/other/06/17/0617aztex.html) will have a blurb on the match in tomorrow mornings paper.

I would suggest that you get tickets for this match ASAP, as history has proven when a Mexican side comes to Texas, the stands fill up quick.

Ouch. Wonder what the Express schedule is like that week. Because this is looking like a baseball schedule here. That's three home games on THREE CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS. Then a three day break, and ANOTHER HOME GAME.

That's four home games in LESS THAN ONE WEEK.

That's ok for baseball, but that's threatening overexposure for soccer.

Man, I know it's hard to turn down an MFL team, and they'll make for a very nice payday (assuming it doesn't cost the Aztex much), but I'd hate for the Aztex to overuse themselves and risking their league position for it.

In fact, I'll go so far as to say that I wish they'd turned the game down.

[mgrayscale]

I just saw this posting (http://www.austinaztex.com/home/264594.html)on the Aztex website regarding an August visit from the U18 Stoke City team. Not a lot of specifics, but we should watch the space as there will be some games in Austin (friendlies) with St. Stephens and the Lone Stars.

[VioletCrown]

I just saw this posting (http://www.austinaztex.com/home/264594.html)on the Aztex website regarding an August visit from the U18 Stoke City team. Not a lot of specifics, but we should watch the space as there will be some games in Austin (friendlies) with St. Stephens and the Lone Stars.

This is interesting:

We are also looking forward to hosting Stoke’s first team players and staff in May of next year.

Interesting timing. After they've either successfully stayed up, or been relegated.

While it might not be quite so toasty there as it would for a trip here preparing for the next season, I'd expect them to be interested in kicking back on a May trip.

Then again, hey, bring 'em in. They'll enjoy 6th Street!

[mgrayscale]

Just in case you've not seen the posting at either the Aztex (http://www.austinaztex.com)site or Chantico's Army (http://www.chanticosarmy.com), the schedule of matches for the Stoke City U18 squads visit next week has been set. There are 4 matches total, with the last one being against St. Edwards University (if you recall, Ezzy Lewis and Kevin Klaus both play for St. Eds). You can visit either site for a full listing of matches, opponents, times, location, etc.

[TwoMeters]

FYI, this update was just posted: "Update Aug. 6: the number of matches has been reduced from 4 to 3. The Stoke City U18 team will no longer be playing a team from St. Edwards University."

No word on why, but unfortunately we won't get to see Ezzy & Kevin in St. Edwards kit.

There are also times listed for all 3 remaining games: Thursday's is 6:30 PM, Saturday & Sunday's are both at 10:00 AM.

[mgrayscale]

No word on why, but unfortunately we won't get to see Ezzy & Kevin in St. Edwards kit.

Damn, I was looking forward to this match as well.

[Madmartigen]

I was wishing for that game, too. I have commitments for all 3 of the others... D@mn, if it wasn't for bad, I would have no luck at all...

[MarkWolstanton]

Hi,

Just a bit of background that you may or may not find interesting from the Stoke end of the tour which commences for the Stoke boys with a 03.00hrs :eek:(British time) meet at the Britannia Stadium tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.

The full under 18s Academy squad supplemented by three promising youngsters from the u16s squad will be arriving in Houston at 14.05 (your time).

The squad competes in the Barclays Premier Academy League. The league is regionally based for the majority of matches (not all) which puts Stoke in the same group as the likes of Man United, Liverpool, Everton, Man City, Blackburn to name but a few. Many of the big clubs such as Man United plough millions of pounds every year into their Academies and often feature young players from around the world that they have spent £s millions to aquire.

The Academy team that will be visiting you represents the first step on the professional football ladder for the lads in the group in that they are full time employees paid and educated by the football club. Many will have graduated through the schoolboy ranks at the club, several will have joined from other clubs around England and beyond.

The Academy scholorship that these boys are part of is a two year contracted engagement. The preponderance of the current Stoke City Academy squad are first year scholars as not many were engaged the previous summer. Very few make the grade out of thousands of players nationwide who strive to reach scholarship level from the schoolboy ranks (1 in several hundred) so the technical standard and application you will be able to watch is high.

Im hoping to be able to keep track of the tour through your message board or anywhere else you might suggest. I have to admit to having a vested interest as I have my boy on the tour.

I can tell you all the lads are really looking forward to joining you in Texas.

If anyone would like any other background info, I will be only too pleased to help.

Best Regards,

Mark

[Alejo]

Well done Mark and Best Regards to you and yours.

And hey one things for sure we'll be sendin the lads back accross the pond with a few stones sweated off of them at the least. :D

[Madmartigen]

Thanks for the background info, Mark. I hope that you enjoy your week in Austin. If you have any other updates while you are here, I know I would enjoy reading them.