TWTD has spoken to one of the Finnish clubs reported to be part of Town's pre-season tour. Despite Town's denial that any tour has been arranged VPS (Vaasan Palloseura) are convinced that the tour has been set and that they are involved.

We spoke to VSP's Managing Director Petri Kuivamäki who said that it had been arranged through a Swedish travel agency: "We arranged it through Johan Bjork in Sweden as we have done in the past."

However, there has been no contact between the two clubs with all arrangements going through the travel agent. Town have sorted their Scandinavian tours via this agent for some years now and this may be where the advertised tour that the Blues are unaware of stems from.

The tour dates being advertised in Finland are as follows: Tampere United on July 18th, VPS on July 20th, before moving on to Tallinn, Estonia to play FC Flora on July 22nd. Town played VPS and FC Flora last year beating both sides 2-0.

Meanwhile we also hear that Town are going to take up the offer of a game with US club the Charleston Battery during their break in fixtures in May. Town have been invited by the A-League side to play a friendly between the Manchester City and Derby games.

Stateside there have also been suggestions that Town might play a game with DC United whilst over there. The timing of the visit might cause disappointment for the ITFC Supporters' Club as it is likely to conflict with their end of season bash which usually has a player present.

TWTD has learnt that Town were thwarted in plans to play the home leg of the FA Youth Cup semi-final this coming Saturday. The Blues wanted to ensure as big a crowd as possible for the youngsters' game but Arsenal were less keen.

Town were willing to surrender second leg home advantage to allow a Saturday afternoon kick-off on a weekend when the first team had no game. Arsenal said no to this as this would have meant them playing without Jermaine Pennant. Those who watched the reserve game between Arsenal and Town earlier this season may remember Pennant as the one who took Amir Karic apart down the Arsenal right flank.

The game has now been set for Wednesday 9th May, kick-off 7pm.

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