But there's a catch - the games are in Holland.

Dutch hosts of the Owls' pre-season campaign are charging just five Euros at the turnstiles.

Manager Brian Laws hopes it will be a value-for-money trip - and it won't mirror last season's misfortunes there.

Last year's tour in the Netherlands was the start of the playing woes as Deon Burton and Chris Brunt were sent off in friendlies.

Then came some unconvincing form in pre-season games, followed by defeats in the first six Championship matches.

Now the Owls are going back to where it began - to Holland, where they will face Haarlem on July 15 and Stormvogels Telstar on July 17.

Last year they played three games there: a 2-1 win against Go Ahead Eagles and 2-2 and 1-1 draws with Heerenveen and Groningen.

Burton was controversially sent off in the Heerenveen game after a brush with the referee and received a two-match ban that applied only to reserve matches.

Brunt was dismissed against Groningen for a tackle and was given a three-game ban, which took effect after the first match of the season - a 4-1 defeat at Ipswich - and hit the start to his West Brom career.

The Owls will fly to the Netherlands on July 13. The rest of their pre-season has yet to be announced.

But Laws is sure that this time the club can enjoy a trouble-free build-up to the new season and improved results once the Championship campaign gets under way.

"I certainly think that there's no way we'll have a start like last year's," he told The Star.

He feels that the turbulent 2007-08 season has made the players mentally tougher.

Both friendlies will be hosted by the HSV club at their ground in Heiloo, Northern Holland.

Club secretary Fred Brenner, said: "We invite the Owls fans to come over to enjoy their time here."

Haarlem were the club with whom Ruud Gullit started his career while Telstar saw the emergence of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Meanwhile, Wednesday's community staff are running events for youngsters during the half-term holiday, at Middle-wood, from May 27 to 30. One is for boys and girls aged five to 14, 10am-4pm, price £40. The other is for goalkeepers only, ages eight to 14, 9am-4pm, £45. Phone 01142 212 215.

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