dfw17

Hi, I'm beginning to plan a 2 week trip to from US to UK this summer for our family with 2 teenage boys (ages 14, 19). They are huge soccer fans (esp Manchester United), and I'd like to explore seeing an EFL game....but our dates (July 22 - Aug 5) are before the season likely starts (from what I can find out). Can anyone advise on ways to find a preseason scrimmage game, or would you have any other suggestions?

Thanks,
DJ

bilboburgler

"scrimmage" is part of Rugby Union not football ;-)

are you looking for a preseason game?

Rubicon may know?

bilboburgler

http://www.manutd.com/en/Visit-Old-Trafford.aspx this might help

DJ where in the UK are you visiting? It is just that Manchester (while a fine city) is not always on every tourist's card.

http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/whats-on/sport

hetismij2

That is scrummage in Rugby Bilbo. OP means a practice game usually between to teams of the same club, or yes, a preseason game.

Have you looked at the ManU website? That is presumably where you would find details of such games.
Since the Euro 2016 matches go on until July 10th and the Premiership kicks off again on August 6th there won't be much time for preseason friendlies.

bilboburgler

hetismij, no, we used to carry out scrimmage and take part in a scrum when I played (the later being the more formal, while the former often referred to in the "mawl" which sounds just as painful as it was)

There might be some inter-european friendlies but that would mean the millionaires would have to come back from their yachts early ;-)

hetismij2

OK Bilbo, I just looked up scrimmage and it does indeed mean messy play. Though given it is a maul, not a mawl you can perhaps forgive me for doubting you .

Some of those millionaires might actually earn a small proportion of their outrageous salaries this year with such a full calender of games.

dfw17

Thanks for interpreting my American terminology! Yes, I meant a "practice" EFL game before the official season starts.

As for our family trip itinerary, I'm in the early stages of planning. I'm thinking we will spend 5 - 6 days in London, and then we will rent a car and spend 6 or so days out away from London. We will be looking for a more small town, rural, country experience during that time....so Manchester (the city) doesn't necessarily have to be a stop. I am very open to suggestions at this stage.

I looked at the ManU website, and all I could find was last year's schedule. The preseason looked like tours outside of UK. I realize this is early to be expecting a preseason/friendly schedule, but I wondering how realistic it will be (even at the last minute) to find a preseason EFL game that we can see. I know London has a number of teams, so maybe our best bet is to just wait and hope to find a preseason game during our time in London.

Or....should I be "managing expectations" with my sons that it probably won't work out? Am I trying to make something work that just isn't likely to happen, given our travel dates?

More thanks,
DJ

bilboburgler

DJ I think you need to know that getting tickets requires a bit of effort, they are unlikely to fall into your lap. Can I suggest

1) see if any other fodorites come up with anything over the weekend
2) drop an email to a few clubs asking them what is possible for pre-season matches, there is always a chance ParisSG is playing Spurs for an early match.
3) expect to part with some serious money
4) manage expectations and talk more about Harry Potter world for a bit
5) last minute, no, ain't going to happen.

hetismij2

Preseason friendlies are often abroad, rather than against other premiership teams. Perhaps you should suggest just a tour of Old Trafford instead, or consider another team in the area, from a lower division, if they really want to see a match. Meanwhile keep an eye on the site and see if they add fixtures in a month or so.
I suspect a lot will depend on how well various countries do in Euro2016.

annhig

dwf - I suspect that they haven't even started to think about pre-season next year and it's unlikely that you'll be able to find any details of those matches.

your best bet IMO is to book a tour of Old Trafford stadium and the museum if that interests you.

http://www.manutd.com/en/Visit-Old-T...on-Prices.aspx

as an alternative, would you consider a cricket match?

England play Pakistan at Old Trafford between 22-26 July or it you want something a bit quicker [40 overs as opposed to 5 days!] you could think about the Lancashire lightenings v Warwickshire Bears on 29th July - a great way to spend a Friday evening.

annhig

BTW I'm only half joking about the match on 29th July - 20/20 is a very exciting cricket format and there's no real need to understand the finer points of the game [I'm assuming you are not cricket fans, which of course may not be the case]. Lots of hard hitting, lots of fun, and all over in about 3-4 hours.

sofarsogood

Of course the Old Trafford to which annhig refers isn't the Old Trafford your son will be familiar with - I trust that's clear!

Btw you've more chance of seeing Man Utd in the US in July and early August than in England.

annhig

Of course the Old Trafford to which annhig refers isn't the Old Trafford your son will be familiar with - I trust that's clear!>>

well, it's not that far away!

[you're right of course, sofasogood, but they could always see the "real" one first then go to the cricket match round the corner.

janisj

I think your timing just doesn't fit for seeing a friendly.

Instead of traveling to Manchester, you could do a tour of Wembley while staying in London

http://www.wembleystadium.com/Wembley-Tours.aspx

Rubicund

Most of the above is correct and this year's pre season activity is affected by the 2016 European Championships in France. No fixtures for the 2016/17 season will be released until end of June, beginning of July with the first game likely to be somewhere around the middle Saturday in August. AFAIK details of the close season tour haven't been released yet for United, but it's likely to be in China or the US.

I can definitely recommend the United museum and Stadium tour,

http://www.manutd.com/en/Visit-Old-Trafford.aspx

which takes in all of the ground at Old Trafford, including the dressing rooms and if you look on the website to book, you may be able to get a tour escorted by one of the United ex players. Don't forget that if you are in Manchester, the National Football Museum is in the City Centre and well worth a visit.

http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/

However, having said all that, there is the likelihood of a testimonial game for Wayne Rooney in early August 2016, mooted currently to be on the 3rd. which would fit into your schedule. Details are not yet available, but if you keep an eye on the Manchester United website, it will come up probably two or three months before.

Oh, well, off the the United v Arsenal game, hoping for the best!

dfw17

Thanks, everyone, for your input on this. (And my family caught part of the Man U vs. Arsenal game today, too!) Seems like we can definitely plan to tour Wembly and/or United stadium (if we do indeed go to Manchester)....and we can pay attention in June-ish timeframe to see if any of the teams have a friendly announced during our visit that we can do. I've let my boys know that it is not a "definite" that we will get to see an EFL game (just to manage expectations). Couldn't get them much interested in a cricket game, but thanks for the suggestion.

Also, Rubicund, thanks for the alert of a possible testimonial game for Rooney. That would be awesome

dfw17

Hi...OP back here. Just bought airfare and we're flying into London from the US, and then out of Manchester on Friday, Aug 5. (It was cheaper than RT in/out London.)

What's the situation with the testimonial game on Aug 3? I've looked at the Man U website, but don't see any recent info (although the Aug 3 game is listed).

If it turns out there really is a Rooney testimonial on Aug 3, how might I stand a chance of getting tickets? I see certain "official memberships" offered on the website. If I buy one of those, does that give me (better) access to buying 4 tickets?

Appreciate any info on this. BTW, definitely going to do tour of Old Trafford (and looks like official membership gives me a discount).

--DJ

P.S. - If there is an Aug 3 game and I DON'T get tickets, is there a good place (with 2 teenage boys) to be part of the excitement and watch the game, or should we avoid Manchester until Aug 4th?

Rubicund

I've just phoned the ticket office at Old Trafford for you and they say that there is still no date confirmed for the match. I would think it will have to be sorted out soon if it is going to happen, to allow players to be available, sort out the logistics of holding a game etc.

Sometimes, these sorts of games appear on the UK main satellite channel, SKY, although it could be on its rival, BT sport. Of course it could be on neither but will be on United's own TV channel, MUTV. It's unlikely that it would be shown in a pub or bar if it's on MUTV, but SKY or BT would probably show it.

I'd also doubt that the game would be a sell out and if the date does suit your visit, I'm sure that you'd get tickets.(Don't think membership will matter). Keep an eye on the website and I'll do the same. The only potential problem would be if they close one of the stands or a part of one, depending on the demand.

A visit to United will always please, as you can do the Museum Tour, but don't forget the National Football Museum in city centre Manchester--it's in the URBIS building:

http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/

Heimdall

The day after you leave the UK is the annual Community Shield match at Wembley Stadium. The match will be between the 2016 Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners. If there is any way you could extend your stay by a couple of days you could see that August 6th match.

Rubicund

Just found this from a few days ago, not so good news?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/...-be-postponed/

The longer the date is unresolved the more difficult it will be to arrange. Heimdall's reference to the Community Shield game could well feature United if they win the FA Cup, although Everton may have a say in that!