I think most clubs play local non league teams in pre season (and use a mix squad not always their 1st team), its to help out the smaller local clubs, but then they organise games again bigger and better opposition also.
I think thats the norm everywhere now, plus most of the 'big' teams feck off to the other side of the world to play games (whilst moaning about there being too much football which has removed the scope for the one 'big' friendly we seemed to have each year.
Or were the lack of home games something to do with the stewarding costs and the lack of safety certificate too?
Who knows, albeit I suspect that giving the new pitch a few more weeks as was suggested will hopefully be a positive come the winter.
