City today promised to make their centenary one to remember despite postponing next Saturday's launch match.

Chairman Gordon Gibb pulled the plug on the Valley Parade clash between the 1996 and 1999 promotion sides because of the number of former stars who could not make it.

Injuries, holidays and the play-off finals have wrecked City's plans to field the strongest sides from those two campaigns.

The final straw was Sheffield United's play-off win on Thursday which ruled out Dean Windass and fans' hero Stuart McCall.

But Gibb stressed the game had been postponed not cancelled and would be re-scheduled for pre-season to tie in with the centenary tournament. It is understood that chart-topping Gareth Gates could also play a part in the curtain-raiser to that weekend.

Gibb said: "It's regrettable to call this off because it would have been nice to do it on the exact day which marked our entry as a Football League club. But we wanted to make the event something special and this wouldn't be the case if we didn't have the full product to sell to the fans. Re-scheduling it for pre-season would mean a much better chance of players being available and we're hoping clubs would agree to release them for such a big occasion."

City may also alter their Scotland tour after Partick revealed they were double-booked for July 23.

Gibb was at Firhill Stadium this afternoon to see their game with Dundee United and planned to suggest a four-team Anglo-Scottish tournament also involving Coventry, who are north of the border at the same time.

Gibb also intended to cast an eye over Andy Tod and City

target Alan Combe playing for the visitors. He added: "Let's just say there are a number of interesting issues to look at and discuss."