19/05/2008 - Holland eyeing free trip to Bulgaria
Steve Holland plans to meet officials from FC Maritsa later this week to finalise Crewe's pre-season trip to Bulgaria.
Maritsa's chairman, apparently an Alex fan, has offered to cover the cost of the week-long trip, which would include a game against the Second Division outfit.
Based in Bulgaria's second largest city, Plovdiv, Maritsa are famous for developing legendary Bulgarian international Hristo Stoichkov, who started off as a youth-team player with his hometown club.
Crewe have pencilled in the second week of July for the trip (July 6-11), but Holland needs to be satisfied his players will have access to suitable gym and training ground facilities.
"There's still a lot to be done and I'm flying out there to see the facilities. We will need a gym and somewhere to run, but I need to see them with my own eyes.
"This would be a good cultural experience for the players and it is something I am quite excited about," said the coach.
"All the resources are going into the player budget this summer, so there hadn't been a plan for a European trip. But we took a phone call from someone representing FC Maritsa, who told us the owner is a Crewe fan. There is apparently a niche of Crewe supporters in that part of the world.
"He has invited the squad over for pre-season and is covering the cost."
Holland has also spoken to Nantwich boss Steve Davis about sending a second string for a warm-up game against the UniBond Premier side at the Weaver Stadium as Crewe's summer schedule takes shape. Games against Biddulph Vics, Quorn, Wrexham and, provisionally, Hull have already been arranged.
And Holland revealed: "If we got the chance to play a game against a big Premier League side, then others could be moved. Dario (Gradi) is using his contacts to try to sort something out there."
Alex pre-season schedule so far: July 6-11 Bulgarian tour; July 15 Quorn/Biddulph Vics; July 22 Wrexham (a); July 26 Hull (h).