Indoor Yeltz (From Halesowen News)

Indoor Yeltz

2:00pm Thursday 7th January 2010

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HALESOWEN Town will take a trip indoors to stay match fit during the big freeze – with a little help from West Bromwich Albion.

Matt Clarke’s men are poised to play a full scale friendly match at the Premier League club’s indoor training facility against as yet unknown opposition this Saturday.

The Yeltz are scheduled to take on Oxford City at the Grove but it is already likely the game will fall victim to the weather.

Clarke revealed the indoor game was part of building a relationship with the Albion, which could also see a member of the Albion’s youth team arriving at the Grove on loan in the near future.

He said: “We are looking for closer ties with them and they have offered us the indoor facility, which has a full size pitch.

“We were looking to play Telford but they have pulled out, though I’m sure there will be no shortage of managers who will jump at the chance to play.

“It’s been so frustrating with the weather, the pitches are too frozen to train on and it’s difficult for the players to make it.

“We have people coming over from Coventry and Leicester and when it snows like it did on Tuesday, you have to consider their safety when the roads are dangerous.”

Clarke is looking to boost what has become a relatively thin squad but has been boosted by the news full back Jamie Smith is set to stay at the club.

The former Wolves man had been offered the assistant manager role at Welsh Premier League outfit Airbus UK.

Clarke added: “It looks like Jamie will be staying with us.

“He was very keen on the Airbus job but lives in Bromsgrove and I think ultimately the travelling was going to be too much for him.”

n Regular supporters will have noticed the Yeltz sporting a new strip in recent weeks.

The kits, which were first worn at Didcot Town on December 12, have been provided by Halesowen businessman and former Causeway United chairman Steve Hulston.

Hulston will also sponsor the Yeltz for the rest of the season.

He said: “I was already in discussion with Brendan Phillips over the sponsorship and the kits were available.

“I have lived in Halesowen almost my entire life and have a great affinity for the club.”

Matt Clarke revealed the new strip was already proving a hit with the players.

He said: “The kits are really nice and have proved a big hit with the players.

“We have got a few in the dressing room and they wanted their pictures taken after they first tried them on!”

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