Note that this page is from our Gresley Rovers archive. It may not be related to the new Gresley Rovers (formerly Gresley FC until 2020).
Players Back In Training
There where twenty-seven players at the National FA Centre in Rangemore when the First Team squad returned to training on Tuesday night.
A mixture of current players, trialists and potential new signings of the club made up the number as manager Gary Norton, his Assistant Steve Hinks and Coach Tony Hemmings put the squad through their paces in preparation for the forthcoming campaign. Goalkeeping coach Gary Belcher was also in attendance working with the supporters' player of the year Dave Clarke.Gary Norton commented: "It was great to get back into it last night. We usually start back the first weekend in July but decided to start a little earlier this year as we want to try and shape the squad as early as possible this preseason.
"The first couple of sessions will enable us to ease the lads back into things because a few of them no doubt wont have been doing too much fitness work over the last few weeks.
"There are still a few lads away on holidays but we trust most of those guys to be ticking things over whilst away so they wont be too far away when they return."
Whilst the manager was clearly pleased on how the first session went he remained tight lipped about the identity of any new faces. He added: "There were a few new faces in attendance and without doubt there will be a few more in future sessions.
"A few of these guys are trialists and we need to assess their ability before deciding what we do with them whilst there are a few who are potential signing targets we are talking to at the moment.
"Some lads who fall into this category will be training with other clubs as well as ourselves whilst they weigh up their options but that's quite normal for the early part of pre-season.
"We are in a decent position compared to the same time last season as we have a good number of players already committed. However, we are still looking to improve in some areas of the squad and there are plenty of places up for grabs."
The squad will continue its preparations for the new season on Thursday night followed by double training session this coming Saturday. The following week will see the squad follow the same timetable of events before the first friendly game against Tamworth at the Moat Ground on Tuesday 8th July. Kick off 7.30pm
