Chelsea will now be Tooting & Mitcham's first opponents at Bishopsford Road.

The club were due to open their new ground against Millwall on July 16. But after advice from the developers, the game has been cancelled, and fans will have to wait until the Blues visit on July 30.

They have arranged fixtures with Sutton United at Old Cranleighians on July 27, and Brentford youth at the club's Tolworth training ground on August 2.

"I'm looking to arrange another one or two fixtures," said boss Ian Hazel. "It's disappointing not to be able play at home before July 30."

Tooting started pre-season training last night at their Links Road training ground. Most of last season's squad barring Conrad Kane, Simon Bassey, and Luke Ferguson return this year.

Hazel wants to add at least another two players in time for the big kick off, adding: "Hopefully something will be sorted out by the start of next week."

The ex-Wimbledon star steered Tooting to a tenth-place in Ryman Division One last year, and led the club to the Surrey Senior and Ryman League Cup semi-finals.

He said: "I'm still relatively inexperienced but in this job you have to believe in what you're doing."

July 9, 2002 13:00