FOOTBALL: Town may host Premiership side

10:27pm Monday 12th May 2008

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CIRENCESTER TOWN could be entertaining a Premiership club when their pre-season campaign begins in July.

Manager Adi Viveash is putting together an interesting set of trial games, not least the visit to the Corinium Stadium of Bristol City on July 26.

Cheltenham Town (August 5) and Haverfordwest (August 2) are the other confirmed home bookings, with the club still working hard behind the scenes to organise a Swindon Town visit.

"We also have to be mindful about the pitch because Gloucester City will be playing three pre-season friendlies here, too," said Viveash.

Only one of the three anticipated away friendlies has been confirmed - Hellenic League Division One West side Wootton Bassett Town on July 30.

After Bristol City's stoppage-time winner in the first leg of the Championship Play-off semi-final against Crystal Palace, the golden chalice of football's top tier is tantalisingly close for Gary Johnson's side.

"Obviously, it will be a Bristol City XI which comes to our place, but it is still a good friendly, whatever division they are in," said Viveash.

"When Cheltenham Town are the visitors, I would expect them to field plenty of first-teamers as it is only four days before their first League One game of the season and they will be wanting to practice their set-pieces ahead of the big kick-off.

"Cheltenham used our training facilities when they were effected by the floods and we hope this game forges more links, with the possibility of taking some of their younger players on loan in the future."

Welsh Premier side Havorfordwest make the long journey to Gloucestershire, having played hosts to the Centurions last season.

One of Viveash's biggest problems this summer may be finding a replacement for Players' Player of the Year Matt Bulman.

Speculation persists that the Ciren Town keeper will be plying his trade for Supermarine next season.