Athletic hit by Brugge blow

ATHLETIC have hit out at Belgian club Cercle Brugge after being forced to scrap their planned friendly at less than 24 hours’ notice.

The sides were due to meet for a private game at two o’clock this afternoon as Athletic’s pre-season build-up began in earnest, but Brugge suddenly requested a new kick-off time.

They wanted to reschedule for later in the day, but the move would have brought serious disruption to manager John Sheridan’s plans.

It leaves Athletic with one less friendly in which to improve their fitness, although the delay in match action will be short-lived as Sheridan takes his men to Rhyl tomorrow night.

Chief executive Alan Hardy admitted he was surprised by Brugge’s demands, particularly as they set the kick-off time themselves two months ago.

Brugge are holding a training camp at Blackburn Rovers, but they said a practice match at 2pm was no longer suitable.

Mr Hardy explained: “The fixture had been in place for a long time and this was the first we had heard about any problems.

“Putting the game back was no good for us. The manager already had things arranged and Brugge’s proposal was totally unacceptable for us.

“We are very disappointed this has happened, especially at such short notice, and it isn’t an ideal situation.

“We have 20-odd players waiting to get a game, but luckily the fixture at Rhyl is coming up tomorrow night.”

Athletic’s friendly in North Wales (7.30pm) will involve all of their new signings apart from Kieran Lee, who is out for around three weeks with a hamstring injury.

Their other warm-up games are against Grimsby (away) on Saturday, Derby (home) on July 23, Hull (home) on July 29, Barrow (away) on July 30 and Bradford (away) on August 2.

TRANSPORT has been arranged for any supporters wishing to attend Ernie Cooksey’s funeral in Bermondsey, London, next Monday.

A coach will leave Boundary Park at 3am and places (£22) can be booked by calling the club shop on 0871 226 2235.