Antwan Russell, Dante Leverock and Lejuan Simmons will be excited if they are to return to England as ambitious Ilkeston FC were today celebrating the news that Chelsea are to send a team to the New Manor Ground for a pre-season friendly.
It will take place on Tuesday July 30th, with a 7.30pm kick off, and manager Kevin Wilson was understandably delighted when he received official confirmation that the game will go ahead.
Wilson who was a Chelsea player from 1987 until 1992 said, “It will be a massive night for me personally to see Chelsea running out at the New Manor Ground but more important still, it’s a real step forward for this football club.
“The coaching staff at Chelsea are aware of how we are running the club and the work we are doing within our Academy and although it was a bit of a ‘long-shot’ when we approached them about coming to play us, they responded very positively.
“I’m extremely grateful to them. It will be a brilliant way to generate interest within the Erewash area and set us up for the new season.
“We cannot say for sure at this stage what team they will be sending. But any side that Chelsea put out will be strong - and it will be a real privilege to play them in a pre-season game.”
The game is likely to generate so much interest that Ilkeston FC officials have already taken the decision to make it an all-ticket event. Prices will be confirmed shortly.
Ilkeston FC Chairman Dave Mantle said, “We’re absolutely delighted to hear that Chelsea are coming and we feel that by making it all-ticket, we will be able to make sure our regular supporters don’t miss out. It will also make it easier to deal with any crowd control issues.”
The Chelsea visit is just one of several attractive pre-season games that Ilkeston FC are planning and Wilson is hoping to receive confirmation in the next few days from the clubs involved.
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