Keane and co set for Chelmsford trip

ROY Keane's Coca-Cola Championship side, Ipswich Town, will provide one of the highlights of Chelmsford City's pre-season friendly schedule after provisionally agreeing to send a side to Melbourne to face Glenn Pennyfather's Clarets in preparation for the 2009/10 campaign.

Newly-installed Blues boss Keane, who left Premier League club Sunderland towards the end of last season, will be keeping a close eye on what he has inherited during his first months in charge, and that includes a fixture in the County Town on Wednesday 29th July which is likely to go ahead following verbal confirmation between the clubs.

Elsewhere in the list, a further welcome visit from Steve Tilson's League One neighbours Southend United is due for a Saturday mid-July following hot on the heels of a match-up against Blue Square Premier outfit Stevenage Borough, with a further friendly against currently unknown opposition to be played on the evening of Wednesday 22nd July.

On their travels, City will drop by with the intention of lying a few demons to rest at Bury Town after last year's FA Cup upset, and another journey north into Suffolk sees Chelmsford play A.F.C. Sudbury. Canvey Island are the hosts on Saturday 25th July before City wrap-up their games with a traditional test at Witham Town. Blue Square South action then resumes on Saturday 8th August.

Saturday 11th July, Bury Town (Away), Kick-Off 3:00pm

Wednesday 15th July, Stevenage Borough (Home), 7:45pm

Saturday 18th July, Southend United (Home), 3:00pm

Wednesday 22nd July, Opponents to be Arranged (Home), 7:45pm

Saturday 25th July, Canvey Island (Away), 3:00pm

Wednesday 29th July, Ipswich Town (Home), 7:45pm (provisional)

Saturday 1st August, A.F.C. Sudbury (Away), 3:00pm

Monday 3rd August, Witham Town (Away), 7:45pm

Saturday 8th August, Blue Square South Season Begins, 3:00pm