PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES

We've been playing regular pre-season friendlies since 1964, when we played Brentford on August 15th, one week before the season started. (We had a warm-up friendly for a couple of seasons either side of the war). Since then the fixture list has always started with a run of games to get us ready for the start of a new year.

We played a whopping 14 friendlies before the 1986-87 season(!); since then 6 or 7 has been the norm.

They're not usually very good indicators of the how the season is going to go, and hopefully that's true this season. We played 7 games and, for the first time since 2004, didn't win any. We also only scored one goal, which has only happend once before, in 1939-40.

Here's the summary of the pre-season friendly games each year, since 1938:
Season P W D L F A Tier Final Pos
1938-3911--41220
1939-401-1-110
1945-4621-1460
1964-6511--3015
1965-661--134118
1966-6731-27412
1967-68321-82111
1968-6922--41118
1969-703--349115
1970-7144--92116
1971-7232-154121
1972-73211-43214
1973-7476-121427
1974-75311155216
1975-76742119428
1976-77531115623
1977-7866--22611
1978-796-336812
1979-8054-110815
1980-81823381417
1981-82421183112
1982-8375-2151015
1983-8482-6101313
1984-8510352151219
1985-865311151218
1986-8714923551418
1987-8854-120613
1988-89851215813
1989-90523-12919
1990-91954-25618
1991-92651-31318
1992-936222127122
1993-94631213822
1994-95742118713
1995-9610811281019
1996-977313187120
1997-98532-13621
1998-997412157120
1999-0082241013214
2000-01511389211
2001-02651-162216
2002-03651-16326
2003-04523-167214
2004-056-5136223
2005-0661415537
2006-0762129534
2007-08832312832
2008-097412149219
2009-10742111623
2010-1172-571426
2011-1264-2109219
2012-1341126728
2013-14743-116211
2014-1574-3106214
2015-1671421212216
2016-1743-183221
2017-18431-92217
2018-19641113329
2019-2073218627
2020-2131-224217
2021-22631-8324
2022-23723288116
2023-247214310117
2024-25632110617
2025-267-52141


Full list of pre-season games:

Season Date Opponent H/A Score
1938-39Sat Aug 20, 1938Notts CountyH4-1
1939-40Sat Aug 19, 1939Notts CountyA1-1
1945-46Wed Aug 15, 1945Notts CountyH3-2
Thu Aug 16, 1945Derby CountyH1-4
1964-65Sat Aug 15, 1964BrentfordA3-0
1965-66Sat Aug 14, 1965Coventry CityA3-4
1966-67Sat Aug 06, 1966HibernianA2-3
Sun Aug 07, 1966DundalkA5-0
Sat Aug 13, 1966VarnaH0-1
1967-68Sat Aug 05, 1967Raith RoversA5-1
Mon Aug 07, 1967Partick ThistleA0-0
Sat Aug 12, 1967Derby CountyA3-1
1968-69Thu Aug 01, 1968Werder BremenA1-0
Sun Aug 04, 1968SV AlsenbornA3-1
1969-70Mon Jul 28, 1969Scunthorpe UnitedA4-6
Wed Jul 30, 1969MaastrichtA0-1
Fri Aug 01, 1969Rot-Weiss EssenA0-2
1970-71Fri Jul 24, 1970HalmiaA3-0
Sun Jul 26, 1970Landskrona BoISA4-2
Tue Jul 28, 1970Jonkoeping SoedraA1-0
Fri Aug 07, 1970Hamburg SVH1-0
1971-72Tue Aug 03, 1971KaiserslauternA0-1
Thu Aug 05, 1971Hannover 96A2-1
Sat Aug 07, 1971Hannover 96H3-2
1972-73Mon Jul 31, 1972WatfordA2-1
Mon Aug 07, 1972KaiserslauternH2-2
1973-74Sat Aug 04, 1973RhylA9-1
Sat Aug 11, 1973Port ValeA2-0
Tue Aug 14, 1973LimerickA3-0
Wed Aug 15, 1973Cork HiberniansA3-0
Fri Aug 17, 1973WaterfordA2-1
Sat Aug 18, 1973WalsallA2-0
Mon Aug 20, 1973Lincoln CityA0-2
1974-75Sat Aug 03, 1974Port ValeA3-1
Tue Aug 06, 1974WalsallA1-1
Sat Aug 10, 1974Leicester CityH1-3
1975-76Tue Jul 29, 1975TSG GiengenA2-0
Thu Jul 31, 1975SV KaufbeurenA1-1
Fri Aug 01, 1975BC AichachA1-0
Sun Aug 03, 1975IngolstadtA9-0
Tue Aug 05, 1975Stuttgart KickersA0-1
Sat Aug 09, 1975BallymenaA3-0
Mon Aug 11, 1975ColeraineA3-2
1976-77Tue Jul 27, 1976SV FurthA2-3
Wed Jul 28, 1976Jahn RegensburgA5-0
Fri Jul 30, 1976AugsburgA1-0
Sun Aug 01, 1976SC FurstenfeldbruckA4-2
Tue Aug 03, 1976HSB HeidenheimA3-1
1977-78Mon Aug 01, 1977St GallenA3-2
Wed Aug 03, 1977Wacker InnsbruckA2-1
Fri Aug 05, 1977SV PlattlingA5-1
Sat Aug 06, 1977NeuburgA5-1
Tue Aug 09, 1977SW BregenzA3-1
Sat Aug 13, 1977Skegness TownA4-0
1978-79Tue Jul 25, 1978Red Star BelgradeA2-3
Thu Jul 27, 1978Dynamo ZagrebA1-1
Sun Jul 30, 1978NK OsijekA1-1
Wed Aug 02, 1978AEK AthensA1-1
Mon Aug 14, 1978Celta VigoA1-1
Wed Aug 16, 1978FC PortoA0-1
1979-80Mon Jul 30, 1979Holsterbro BKA5-1
Wed Aug 01, 1979Bayern MunichA0-5
Thu Aug 09, 1979BotafogoN2-1
Fri Aug 10, 1979Dynamo BucharestN2-1
Tue Aug 14, 1979MontpelierA1-0
1980-81Wed Jul 23, 1980Vancouver WhitecapsA1-1
Fri Jul 25, 1980Tampa Bay RowdiesA0-0
Sun Jul 27, 1980Colombia XIA0-5
Thu Jul 31, 1980Toronto BlizzardA3-1
Tue Aug 05, 1980Paddy Mulligan XIA3-2
Fri Aug 08, 1980Alkmaar AZ67N1-2
Sun Aug 10, 1980Bayern MunichN0-3
Mon Aug 11, 1980Grasshoppers ZurichA0-0
1981-82Tue Aug 11, 1981Linfield AthleticA5-1
Thu Aug 20, 1981OsasunaA2-1
Fri Aug 21, 1981Real ZaragozaA1-1
Tue Aug 25, 1981NapoliA0-0
1982-83Sat Jul 31, 1982Malaysia XIA3-1
Sat Aug 07, 1982Athletico BilbaoA1-3
Sun Aug 08, 1982Vojvodina Novi SadA1-2
Fri Aug 13, 1982Dukla PragueA2-1
Sat Aug 14, 1982NuremburgA4-2
Sat Aug 21, 1982Athletico BilbaoA3-1
Sun Aug 22, 1982Recreativo de HuelvaA1-0
1983-84Fri Aug 05, 1983UtrechtA0-1
Sun Aug 07, 1983Romania XIA2-0
Wed Aug 10, 1983GroningenA1-2
Fri Aug 12, 1983BruggeA1-1
Sun Aug 14, 1983Real ZaragozaA1-2
Sat Aug 20, 1983Swansea CityA3-1
Tue Aug 23, 1983BarcelonaA0-2
Wed Aug 24, 1983AnderlechtA2-4
1984-85Sun Jul 29, 1984KeyworthA2-1
Fri Aug 03, 1984FK MossA1-1
Sun Aug 05, 1984FredrikstadA3-1
Tue Aug 07, 1984CelticA0-0
Wed Aug 08, 1984Dundee UnitedA0-2
Wed Aug 15, 1984LierseA1-1
Fri Aug 17, 1984Den BoschA1-1
Sat Aug 18, 1984VolendamA5-1
Mon Aug 20, 1984Derby CountyA0-2
Wed Aug 22, 1984PanathinaikosA2-2
1985-86Sat Aug 03, 1985BournemouthA3-3
Mon Aug 05, 1985WeymouthA5-2
Wed Aug 07, 1985PortsmouthA3-1
Fri Aug 09, 1985Brighton and Hove AlbionA2-5
Mon Aug 12, 1985BarnsleyA2-1
1986-87Sun Jul 20, 1986BromollaA3-0
Tue Jul 22, 1986KB CobenhagenA0-2
Fri Jul 25, 1986Myresjoe IFA6-1
Sun Jul 27, 1986Aarhus IFA7-0
Tue Jul 29, 1986AelmhultsA8-0
Sat Aug 02, 1986ValleivogelsA6-1
Sun Aug 03, 1986StevoA4-2
Tue Aug 05, 1986Meppeler Sport ClubA12-0
Wed Aug 06, 1986Den HaagA2-1
Sat Aug 09, 1986UtrechtA1-1
Sun Aug 10, 1986TopA4-1
Tue Aug 12, 1986Willem IIA1-2
Wed Aug 13, 1986DordrechtA1-1
Wed Aug 20, 1986Torpedo MoscowH0-2
1987-88Mon Jul 27, 1987HalmstadA3-2
Wed Jul 29, 1987CopenhagenA4-1
Fri Jul 31, 1987Waggeryds IKA7-1
Sun Aug 02, 1987Hoeganas BKA6-0
Tue Aug 04, 1987Malmo FFA0-2
1988-89Thu Jul 28, 1988IK BrageA0-1
Sat Jul 30, 1988Helsingfors VastraA2-1
Sun Jul 31, 1988Sandvikens IFA2-1
Tue Aug 02, 1988Västerås SKA0-0
Wed Aug 03, 1988BrommapojkarnaA4-1
Thu Aug 11, 1988PescaraA3-2
Sat Aug 13, 1988CologneA0-1
Wed Aug 17, 1988Lincoln CityA4-1
1989-90Sun Jul 30, 1989Bordeaux XIA4-3
Thu Aug 03, 1989Jeunesse VillenavaiseA3-1
Sat Aug 05, 1989AngoulemeA1-1
Tue Aug 08, 1989La RocheA2-2
Tue Aug 15, 1989Leicester CityA2-2
1990-91Sun Jul 29, 1990BengtsforsA5-1
Mon Jul 30, 1990NorrstrandsA4-0
Wed Aug 01, 1990MariestadsA2-0
Sun Aug 05, 1990KongahallaA3-0
Tue Aug 07, 1990KarlsundsA7-1
Thu Aug 09, 1990Wycombe WanderersA1-1
Mon Aug 13, 1990SalernitanaA0-0
Wed Aug 15, 1990AvelinoA1-1
Fri Aug 17, 1990FoggiaA2-2
1991-92Sat Jul 27, 1991Cobh RamblersA5-0
Sun Jul 28, 1991ShelbourneA2-0
Sat Aug 03, 1991Alta IFA6-0
Mon Aug 05, 1991EnebybergA13-0
Wed Aug 07, 1991TosiA3-1
Thu Aug 08, 1991VasalundsA2-2
1992-93Mon Jul 27, 1992DundalkA4-1
Wed Jul 29, 1992Shamrock RoversA0-0
Sat Aug 01, 1992SampdoriaN0-2
Sun Aug 02, 1992VfB StuttgartN0-1
Fri Aug 07, 1992ArdsA6-1
Sun Aug 09, 1992Derry CityA2-2
1993-94Fri Jul 23, 1993NapoliA2-1
Mon Jul 26, 1993AtalantaA0-1
Thu Jul 29, 1993BulzanoA3-1
Sun Aug 01, 1993Slovan BratislavaA1-1
Wed Aug 04, 1993Lincoln CityA5-1
Sat Aug 07, 1993Cambridge UnitedA2-3
1994-95Tue Jul 26, 1994IF SilviaA0-1
Thu Jul 28, 1994Västerås SKA2-1
Sat Jul 30, 1994Krylbo IF/AvestaA4-1
Sun Jul 31, 1994Ludvika FKA0-0
Wed Aug 03, 1994Taby ISA8-1
Mon Aug 08, 1994Leyton OrientA2-1
Thu Aug 11, 1994OlympiakosA2-2
1995-96Tue Jul 25, 1995Vang FKA7-1
Thu Jul 27, 1995Tistedalen TurnA3-1
Sat Jul 29, 1995Foerde ILA3-1
Mon Jul 31, 1995SkjettenA4-2
Tue Aug 01, 1995Stabekk IFA3-1
Sat Aug 05, 1995Lincoln CityA3-1
Sat Aug 12, 1995RiccioniA3-1
Sun Aug 13, 1995RiminiA0-0
Mon Aug 14, 1995TorinoA2-1
Tue Aug 15, 1995GenoaA0-1
1996-97Wed Jul 24, 1996ChesterfieldA1-2
Sat Jul 27, 1996GillinghamA3-1
Tue Jul 30, 1996Hastings TownA0-0
Thu Aug 01, 1996Hull CityA4-1
Sat Aug 03, 1996ChelseaH0-0
Sun Aug 04, 1996Manchester UnitedH1-3
Sat Aug 10, 1996ShelbourneA9-0
1997-98Sat Jul 19, 1997Lincoln CityA1-1
Thu Jul 24, 1997Pallo-IirotA5-0
Sat Jul 26, 1997FC HakaA2-1
Mon Jul 28, 1997FinnpaA4-4
Sat Aug 02, 1997Leeds UnitedH1-0
1998-99Sat Jul 18, 1998Scunthorpe UnitedA3-0
Wed Jul 22, 1998ChesterfieldA3-4
Tue Jul 28, 1998FC Kemi KingsA4-0
Thu Jul 30, 1998FC HakaA2-0
Sat Aug 01, 1998FC Santa ClausA0-0
Mon Aug 03, 1998Lincoln CityA1-0
Mon Aug 10, 1998FeyenoordA2-3
1999-00Tue Jul 13, 1999Peterborough UnitedA3-1
Fri Jul 16, 1999Bray WanderersA1-1
Sat Jul 17, 1999St Patrick's AthleticA0-1
Wed Jul 21, 1999BournemouthA1-3
Sat Jul 24, 1999Brighton and Hove AlbionA2-2
Tue Jul 27, 1999Bradford CityA2-1
Wed Jul 28, 1999Wycombe WanderersA0-2
Sat Jul 31, 1999MillwallA1-2
2000-01Wed Jul 12, 2000Miami FusionA2-3
Sat Jul 15, 2000Harbor ViewA3-1
Wed Jul 26, 2000Bristol CityA2-3
Sat Jul 29, 2000Leeds UnitedH1-2
Sat Aug 05, 2000Port ValeA0-0
2001-02Thu Jul 12, 2001DVS 33A6-0
Sun Jul 15, 2001Heracles AlmeloA2-0
Tue Jul 24, 2001BarnetA3-0
Sat Jul 28, 2001India XIH2-0
Wed Aug 01, 2001SouthamptonH2-1
Sat Aug 04, 2001Peterborough UnitedA1-1
2002-03Wed Jul 17, 2002Saint MedardA4-0
Fri Jul 19, 2002LibourneA1-0
Sat Jul 27, 2002Mansfield TownA3-0
Wed Jul 31, 2002Newcastle UnitedH3-1
Sat Aug 03, 2002Plymouth ArgyleA2-2
Tue Aug 06, 2002Boston UnitedA3-0
2003-04Mon Jul 14, 2003Saint MedardA4-0
Wed Jul 16, 2003LibourneA1-1
Thu Jul 24, 2003AjaxH2-2
Sat Jul 26, 2003Scunthorpe UnitedA3-3
Sat Aug 02, 2003Rushden and DiamondsA6-1
2004-05Wed Jul 14, 2004DC UnitedA1-1
Fri Jul 16, 2004Richmond KickersA1-1
Tue Jul 20, 2004Virginia Beach MarinersA0-0
Sat Jul 24, 2004Lincoln CityA0-0
Tue Jul 27, 2004MiddlesbroughH1-4
Sat Jul 31, 2004Tottenham HotspurH0-0
2005-06Thu Jul 14, 2005Silkeborg IFA0-0
Sat Jul 16, 2005Odense BKA0-0
Wed Jul 20, 2005SlagelseA1-2
Sat Jul 23, 2005Boston UnitedA0-0
Wed Jul 27, 2005Exeter CityA2-1
Sat Jul 30, 2005Torquay UnitedA2-2
2006-07Fri Jul 14, 2006Ilkeston TownA5-0
Mon Jul 17, 2006Rushden and DiamondsA2-0
Wed Jul 19, 2006Milton Keynes DonsA0-0
Sat Jul 22, 2006Mansfield TownA0-1
Wed Jul 26, 2006Lincoln CityA0-1
Sat Jul 29, 2006Leeds UnitedH2-3
2007-08Tue Jul 17, 2007Ilkeston TownA5-0
Wed Jul 18, 2007Rushden and DiamondsA1-1
Tue Jul 24, 2007KilmarnockA3-1
Thu Jul 26, 2007Dunfermline AthleticA1-2
Sat Jul 28, 2007MotherwellA0-0
Mon Jul 30, 2007Notts CountyA2-1
Tue Jul 31, 2007Derby CountyA0-2
Sat Aug 04, 2007Sheffield UnitedA0-1
2008-09Fri Jul 18, 2008Offenbach KickersA2-1
Tue Jul 22, 2008Burton AlbionA3-1
Wed Jul 23, 2008Telford UnitedA4-1
Fri Jul 25, 2008EvertonH1-1
Mon Jul 28, 2008Curzon AshtonA1-2
Wed Jul 30, 2008SunderlandH0-1
Sat Aug 02, 2008Notts CountyA3-2
2009-10Sat Jul 11, 2009Sporting LisbonA1-0
Sat Jul 18, 2009Burton AlbionA4-1
Wed Jul 22, 2009Rotherham UnitedA1-0
Wed Jul 22, 2009Rushden and DiamondsA1-1
Sat Jul 25, 2009Notts CountyA1-2
Wed Jul 29, 2009Stoke CityH1-1
Sun Aug 02, 2009Birmingham CityH2-1
2010-11Sun Jul 18, 2010SC OlhanenseA2-1
Wed Jul 21, 2010Mansfield TownA2-1
Wed Jul 21, 2010Tranmere RoversA0-2
Sat Jul 24, 2010Peterborough UnitedA0-1
Sun Jul 25, 2010Kidderminster HarriersA0-3
Wed Jul 28, 2010Olympique LyonnaisH1-3
Sat Jul 31, 2010Swindon TownA2-3
2011-12Fri Jul 15, 2011Tottenham HotspurN2-3
Wed Jul 20, 2011Northampton TownA2-1
Sun Jul 24, 2011VfB StuttgartA2-1
Tue Jul 26, 2011Ilkeston TownA2-1
Thu Jul 28, 2011PSV EindhovenH1-3
Sun Jul 31, 2011Lincoln CityA1-0
2012-13Sun Jul 29, 2012Mansfield TownA1-2
Sun Aug 05, 2012Aston VillaH3-1
Tue Aug 07, 2012Notts CountyA2-2
Sat Aug 11, 2012West Bromwich AlbionH0-2
2013-14Sat Jul 06, 2013HibernianA2-1
Sat Jul 13, 2013Ilkeston TownA2-0
Sat Jul 13, 2013Mansfield TownA1-0
Tue Jul 16, 2013ChesterfieldA1-1
Sat Jul 20, 2013Royal AntwerpH2-2
Tue Jul 23, 2013WalsallA2-1
Fri Jul 26, 2013MotherwellA1-1
2014-15Sat Jul 12, 2014Ilkeston TownA4-0
Wed Jul 16, 2014Porto BA3-2
Sat Jul 19, 2014Rio AveA0-1
Wed Jul 23, 2014Rotherham UnitedA0-1
Sun Jul 27, 2014Milton Keynes DonsA0-1
Wed Jul 30, 2014York CityA2-1
Sat Aug 02, 2014West Bromwich AlbionH1-0
2015-16Wed Jul 08, 2015Odense BKA2-4
Sun Jul 12, 2015Mjallby AIFA1-1
Tue Jul 14, 2015FC HelsingorA1-2
Fri Jul 17, 2015StevenageA3-0
Tue Jul 21, 2015Doncaster RoversA1-1
Sat Jul 25, 2015Swansea CityH1-1
Sat Aug 01, 2015Aston VillaH3-3
2016-17Tue Jul 12, 2016MillwallA2-1
Fri Jul 15, 2016FC BragaA3-0
Tue Jul 19, 2016Port ValeA2-0
Sat Jul 30, 2016Hull CityH1-2
2017-18Wed Jul 19, 2017Notts CountyA2-0
Sat Jul 22, 2017Mansfield TownA4-0
Tue Jul 25, 2017GironaH2-1
Sat Jul 29, 2017BurnleyH1-1
2018-19Wed Jul 11, 2018Lincoln ImpsA5-0
Sat Jul 14, 2018Real BetisA0-1
Mon Jul 16, 2018MalagaA3-0
Sat Jul 21, 2018Oldham AthleticA2-2
Wed Jul 25, 2018Scunthorpe UnitedA1-0
Sat Jul 28, 2018BournemouthH2-0
2019-20Sat Jun 29, 2019Alfreton TownA2-1
Tue Jul 02, 2019DundeeA0-0
Sat Jul 06, 2019Peterborough UnitedA-
Sat Jul 13, 2019AtromitosA3-0
Tue Jul 16, 2019OlympiakosA0-3
Fri Jul 19, 2019Crystal PalaceH1-0
Fri Jul 26, 2019Real SociedadH2-2
2020-21Sun Aug 23, 2020Oldham AthleticH0-2
Wed Aug 26, 2020Port ValeN1-2
Sat Aug 29, 2020West Bromwich AlbionN1-0
2021-22Sat Jul 10, 2021Alfreton TownA2-1
Sat Jul 17, 2021Port ValeA2-0
Tue Jul 20, 2021Northampton TownA2-0
Sat Jul 24, 2021Crewe AlexandraA2-2
Wed Jul 28, 2021Aston VillaA-
Sat Jul 31, 2021BurnleyH-
2022-23Fri Jul 08, 2022Coventry CityA1-3
Tue Jul 12, 2022Burton AlbionA1-0
Sat Jul 16, 2022BarnsleyA0-0
Wed Jul 20, 2022Hertha BerlinA3-1
Sat Jul 23, 2022Union BerlinA0-1
Tue Jul 26, 2022Notts CountyA2-2
Sat Jul 30, 2022ValenciaA1-1
2023-24Sat Jul 15, 2023Notts CountyA1-0
Tue Jul 18, 2023ValenciaA0-1
Sat Jul 22, 2023LevanteA2-1
Thu Jul 27, 2023Leeds UnitedN0-2
Sun Jul 30, 2023PSV EindhovenA0-1
Wed Aug 02, 2023Stade RennaisN0-5
Sat Aug 05, 2023Eintracht FrankfurtA0-0
2024-25Sat Jul 13, 2024ChesterfieldA3-0
Fri Jul 19, 2024SunderlandN1-1
Tue Jul 23, 2024MillwallN2-1
Fri Jul 26, 2024ElcheN0-1
Fri Aug 02, 2024VillarrealH0-0
Thu Aug 08, 2024OlympiakosA4-3
2025-26Sat Jul 12, 2025ChesterfieldA0-0
Sat Jul 19, 2025AS MonacoN0-0
Sat Jul 26, 2025FulhamN1-3
Wed Jul 30, 2025EstorilN0-0
Sat Aug 02, 2025Birmingham CityA0-1
Tue Aug 05, 2025FiorentinaH0-0
Sat Aug 09, 2025Al QadsiahH0-0