I know this is very early, but preseason will be my first opportunity to go over with my work schedule ( I had hoped I could slip over the pond for Villareal, but it's not going to happen). I thought a thread where we could exchange information would be useful. There is a facebook group here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=50947598267 if you are on facebook. I saw Nick and Bob had joined. Anyways, I am hoping to go over in early July and do a bit of traveling before it starts and stay through the Amsterdan tournament, assuming they have it. Anyone else that is traveling and any info on dates and times is appreciated.
I was down at the Club today, and met a guy who was at pre-season training last year and is a "big mate" with Adebayor. I spoke to him about pre-season training for this year, and he told me it begins on 20th July and will be in Austria. However, it may not be at Bad Waltersdorf, but at the place where Real Madrid were last year, which is about 30 miles from B.W. (Their plane touched down at about the same time as AFC's did last year!). No details of the schedule, such as, it will all be in Austria, or over the border again to Hungary, or how long it will last, etc., as what happens to us with C/L qualifying rounds will dictate a lot of what happens. How much of the above is reliable I know not, but I think a lot of reliance can be put on it being in Austria again, and the date sounds fair. Again, it will be a question of "watch this space", but have no doubt, our "reliable sources" in Austria will be contacted fairly soon to try and check out what has been shown above and how true it may be.
So, first preseason games are July 18 against Barnet, July 20 against Lincoln City, and the Bad Waltersdorf site says that we will be there July 20-29. Who's in?
I was speaking with a friend on Sunday who went last year, and he told me it was going to be at B.W. again beginning on the 20th. What was the site you looked at for the dates Mike?
That's good news! However does there not appear to be a clash with playing Lincoln City on the 20th, plus arriving in B.W. the same day?
I'll already be in France, but I think I'll pop over to England for that Barnet friendly, and then maybe fly over with everyone? You still up for splitting a room?
Ok, I'm gonna be in France beforehand, so, when everyone else is peacing out on the 15th, I'll pop over to London. Barnet friendly on the 18th, then what is the general plan on airlines to Graz?
It's the youths and reserves. On the 20th. So a no go! I'm assuming we would fly to Graz on the 19th, right?
I've just booked my flight! Going out on Monday 20th July. Depart Stansted at 11.10am. Arrive Graz 2.15pm. Return Friday 31st July. Depart 2.55pm Arrive 4.00pm. The team won't (probably) arrive to around 6pm - 7pm like last year, so no real need to get in on a Sunday. Most people travel on the Monday, so it's easier for transportation down to B.W. I will probably do a "side trip" after it's over to either Venice or Budapest. Fare was £112.97 all in. "See you in Austria" !
Saturday 1st August 2009 Rangers v Paris Saint-Germain (2pm Kick-off) Arsenal v Atletico Madrid (4.15pm Kick-off) Sunday 2nd August 2009 Atletico Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain (2pm kick-off) Arsenal v Rangers (4.15pm kick-off) Rangers are getting an allocation of 9,000 tickets for both days, so it should certainly be interesting.