CHESTER FC have failed in an audacious bid to set up a pre-season friendly against New York Cosmos.
Blues bosses wanted to host Eric Cantona’s team in the lead up to their clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Friday, August 5 for Paul Scholes’ testimonial.
Former Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry is now on the board of the reformed American outfit made famous by Pele. Because Parry lives in the Chester area, Pat Cluskey hoped the local link would seal the deal.
Blues general manager Cluskey said: “We wanted to play them on the Tuesday or the Wednesday as we thought they may like to warm-up for the match with a game against us.
“But they were unable to do so as the squad for the United match is being flown in from America and from elsewhere in Europe and will only link up on the morning of the game.
“I did manage to speak to their vice-chairman Terry Byrne, who used to manage David Beckham. Nothing came of it but who knows what may come of it in the future.”
The Cosmos, whose director of football is United legend Cantona, reformed last year after the original club folded in 1985.
Chester’s friendly at home to Stockport County on Saturday, July 30 has been cancelled at the request of the Blue Square Premier outfit’s new manager Dietmar Hamann.
Blues season ticket sales are now up to 925.
