Basford United confirm friendly against Mickleover

Basford United have confirmed their first pre-season friendly fixture as preparations for next season begin to take shape.
Basford hope fans will be able to attend their first friendly.Basford hope fans will be able to attend their first friendly.
Basford hope fans will be able to attend their first friendly.

Mickleover will be the visitors to Greenwich Avenue on May 22 in the newly formed “Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Non-Elite Cup”.

The tie was scheduled as the last league game before the season was halted back in December and fully cancelled two months later due to the ongoing pandemic.

In line with the Government’s timetable, and subject to updated guidelines and advice to be issued in the coming weeks, United hope that fans will be in attendance and officials have spoken of their delight and see it as a perfect game to welcome supporters back, with Coronavirus lockdown laws gradually easing around the UK.

Manager Steve Chettle said: “It’s great news that we have an opportunity to take part in a competitive game against Mickleover next month at Greenwich Avenue.

“It’s been an awfully long time since we’ve any fans in the ground to see a game and share that matchday experience with us and the players and it will be a huge relief to us all to have that back again.

“For two seasons, we have been in a strong position, only for them both to be curtailed,” Chettle added.

“However, it will be great for everyone to have this game before another break and the return of pre-season where we already have a great schedule planned as we prepare for another tough Northern Premier League season.”

Nottingham-based sports equipment provider Liberal Sports have been announced as the sponsors for the game and a donation to an agreed charity will be made by both clubs.

It is also hoped that annual non-elite regional games, or a friendly knock-out competition, can be introduced and sustained following the 2021/22 campaign, with the agreement of relevant authorities and best placed participating clubs.

At the time of the curtailment, Basford sat second in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League, three points behind table-toppers Mickleover with a game in hand.