Smith looking forward to pre-season matches...
THE SADDLERS' schedule of pre-season fixtures is almost complete with eight games announced so far and at least one more close to being confirmed.As it stands we have two home fixtures, with Championship outfit, Nottingham Forest, visiting us on Tuesday, July 23rd and Premier League neighbours, Aston Villa, here for our 125th Anniversary game on Wednesday, July 31st.
Meanwhile we'll face tough opposition from the likes of League Two play-off semi-finalists, Burton Albion, and Blue Square Premier clubs, Kidderminster Harriers and Alfreton Town.
We've also got local encounters with Halesowen Town providing our first opposition of the summer and both Rushall Olympic and Chasetown also playing host to us.
"We're looking forward to what promises to be a good pre-season schedule for us," said manager, Dean Smith. "We've managed to get a good variation in the opposition with a few teams that we've not played before such as Nottingham Forest.
"It's fantastic to get a club as esteemed as Aston Villa to face us in our 125th Anniversary game. They were our first-ever opponents so it is fitting that they should come here on this occasion.
"It will be a good test for us in front of what promises to be a large crowd just a few days before the season gets underway.
"There are some competitive fixtures for us to look forward that will really help in our preparation for the new season. As I say, I'm pleased with the matches that we have arranged and they will all play their part in getting us ready for the challenges that we will face in League One next season."
Here is the 2013 pre-season schedule as it currently stands:
Wednesday,10 July v Halesowen Town (A) Kick-Off 7.30pm
Saturday, 13 July v Kidderminster Harriers (A) Kick-Off 3.00pm
Tuesday, 16 July v Alfreton Town (A) Kick-off 7.45pm
Wednesday, 17 July v Rushall Olympic (A) Kick-Off 7.30pm
Tuesday, 23 July v Nottingham Forest (H) Kick-Off 7.30pm
Wednesday, 24 July v Chasetown (A) Kick-Off 7.30pm
Friday, 26 July v Burton Albion (A) Kick-Off 7.30pm
Wednesday, 31 July v Aston Villa (H) - 125th Anniversary Game