Who remembers when we had interesting pre-seaon friendlies?

[Icy Gull]

We used to have loads. The best would have been Spurs at the Goldstone which was billed as Klinsman's 1st game for Spurs, he didn't turn up but it sticks in my mind because it was the 1st time I saw Sol Campbell play. Skinny, comparatively, at the time and he had our hero Nogan in his pocket all game and had twice as much pace as our fastest forward.

 

[strings]

We used to have loads. The best would have been Spurs at the Goldstone which was billed as Klinsman's 1st game for Spurs, he didn't turn up but it sticks in my mind because it was the 1st time I saw Sol Campbell play. Skinny, comparatively, at the time and he had our hero Nogan in his pocket all game and had twice as much pace as our fastest forward.

I visited my parents at the weekend and found the programme for this match - it was a brilliant read! Such players as Barnby, Anderton, Sheringham, Campbell and Ian Walker in the spurs team!

That was one of my first few football matches

 

[Austrian Gull]

Steaua Bucharest

 

[Icy Gull]

Steaua Bucharest

Great game 5-5? after leading quite convincingly at half time?

 

[Billy the Fish]

A thing of the past I'm afraid. The top clubs are too busy on money spinning tours of the USA and far east, or playing in sponsored tournaments against european teams. That one that Arsenal and Ajax always play in is televised on Sky, what a joke, who seroiusly gives a shit

Championship or very crap premier league clubs are the best we can hope for these days.

 

[Mendoza]

I remember us loosing about 7-1 to SHeffield Wednesday at The Goldstone. They had such greats as You'll never beat Des Walker, Regi Blinker and a whole host of stars that graced the Premiership early years

 

[Austrian Gull]

A thing of the past I'm afraid. The top clubs are too busy on money spinning tours of the USA and far east, or playing in sponsored tournaments against european teams. That one that Arsenal and Ajax always play in is televised on Sky, what a joke, who seroiusly gives a shit

Championship or very crap premier league clubs are the best we can hope for these days.

Can't see why we couldn't attract a touring team. I want somebody exotic - not some non-descript Championship side.

Espanyol and Barcelona have both been in the UK for pre-season tours in recent years. The Italian & Spanish leagues start later so the timing would fit.

Brighton v Athletic Bilbao would float my boat.

 

[Publius Ovidius]

Great game 5-5? after leading quite convincingly at half time?

didnt they bring their proper side on in the second half and made us look very silly

It was part of the Stefan Iovan deal I seem to recall.

I spoke to Barry LLoyd about Iovan and it was financial that we didnt play him as much as Barry would have liked.

 

[wigman]

Palace away in the early 80s were always interesting.

 

[Storer68]

In the eighties
we had pre-season friendlies
against

Manchester Utd, Liverpool, Norttingham forest (all European Champions)

Now
we get a host of non league non entities......

 

[champion7]

How come Southampton and Bristol city get Ajax and we end up with non-league rable

 

[wigman]

How come Southampton and Bristol city get Ajax and we end up with non-league rable

St Marys,Ashton Gate or Withdean, no brainer really.

 

[champion7]

St Marys,Ashton Gate or Withdean, no brainer really.

I understand that,but why can't we get a decent game and go to them.

 

[strings]

I understand that,but why can't we get a decent game and go to them.

Teams want to (where possible) break even or make a bit of money on friendly's; a premiership team would not play us at their ground for the same reason we wouln't play Worthing at Withdean.

 

[Icy Gull]

I understand that,but why can't we get a decent game and go to them.

I can't understand that either, not coming to Withdean, fair enough but I'd have thought a Championship club or lower Premiership club at their place, why not?

I reckon over the last 10 years we must have had the shittest pre-season friendlies of just about any league club

 

[wigman]

I understand that,but why can't we get a decent game and go to them.

It will all change when we relocate to Falmer.

 

[Icy Gull]

Have a look at this list and tell me that we are not as decent a game as quite a few of those on the list

I mean Arsenal away at Barnet as an example??

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2007/jul/12/newsstory.sport11

 

[Storer68]

I think you will find that the team that turns up is billed up as an "Arsenal XI" rather than "Arsenal". They have several Xis that play games on the same day!

 

[Icy Gull]

I think you will find that the team that turns up is billed up as an "Arsean;l XI" rather than "Arsenal". They have several Xis that play games on the same day!

Well at least I get the chance to see some of these Arsenal youngsters that we are always just missing out on

 

[Deleted User X18H]

In 1985 Liverpool asked US for a pre season friendly!!!