Roy Keane's Tractor Boys will not be rolling into Roots Hall Friday
At Monday's press conference new manager Paul Sturrock made it clear he was looking to cancel this Friday's pre-season schedule with Ipswich Town when he discovered: "we're slightly light of players."
After making contact with the Suffolk based club they have agreed to call the game off and manager Roy Keane will be taking his squad to Histon instead!
Club secretary Sally Webb told www.itfc.co.uk: "Paul spoke to Roy (Keane) and told him that unfortunately he wasn't in a position to put out a competitive team."
Sturrock himself contined with: "On their first day back (Monday) the players have been put through some tests and will continue to work on their aerobic fitness. But playing a game is different and might not be the right thing to do because I don't really see the point in packing the team out with trialists either."
As for the 178-odd Shrimpers who have bought tickets for the match, you can obtain a full refund from the club's ticket office or swap the ticket for the friendly against Derby County on Monday, July 19th, kick-off 19.45.
Another coup for the holiday bound chairman Ron Martin as well, this buggers up the point of any demonstrations planned for the day, and by the Derby game we could have a whole new team!
This leaves the updated pre-season schedule as follows, and with the first game now at Canvey next Monday expect some quick signings:
Monday, July 12th - Canvey Island (away); kick-off 19.00.
Friday, July 16th - Dartford (away); kick-off 19.45.
Monday, July 19th - DERBY COUNTY (home); kick-off 19.45.
Saturday, July 24th - Thurrock (away); kick-off 15.00.
Wednesday, July 28th - Rushden & Diamonds (away); kick-off 19.30.