A TOTAL of ten pre-season friendlies will hopefully prepare Solihull Moors well for life in the highest tier of non-league football as Marcus Bignot’s side get ready for life in the Vanarama National League.
The first visitors to the Automated Technology Group Stadium will be newly promoted Oxford United on July 9 who now ply their trade in League One of the Football League. It is only six years since United climbed out of the league in which Moors will now play and the they will be a stern test for Bignot’s men.
The following Tuesday, things get even tougher as Birmingham City come to Solihull to continue a close relationship between the two clubs but their defeat to Moors in the Birmingham Senior Cup a few weeks back will no doubt still be very much in mind.
This will be the Championship side’s first friendly in England following a pre-season trip to Marbella and a big crowd is expected at the Automated Technology Group Stadium.
Walsall, so close to promotion to the Championship last season, is next on the agenda on the July 16, followed by Shrewsbury Town on July 23, who will be managed by Micky Mellon who guided Fleetwood Town all the way from the non-league to the Football League four years ago.
Finally Kidderminster Harriers make the short trip to the club that has replaced them in the National League. There will be mixed emotions for Moors’ newly appointed assistant manager Gary Whild, who spent several years at Aggborough.
In between the home games are an equal numbers of away trips at Telford (July 19), Hednesford (July 20), Barwell (July 22), Stratford (July 26) and Highgate (July 29).
With big crowd expected for the Blues match, Moors fans are encouraged to purchase tickets early. Tickets for all home friendlies are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions and will be available to buy from June 6 by ringing 0121 705 6770.
