Fitness is key as Bards embark on pre-season campaign
STRATFORD Town kick-off their pre-season campaign on Saturday when they host Coventry Sphinx (ko 3pm) at the Arden Garages Stadium with boss Gavin Hurren admitting the game will be more about fitness than the result.
The Bards will have had four sessions prior to the game against the newly-promoted Northern Premier Midland Division outfit with Midland Football League side Studley then providing the opposition on Tuesday, 4th July (ko 7.45pm).
“Pre-season has gone well so far, the Town manager explained. “The difference from the last season is that we already have a togetherness having kept a big chunk of the team from last time when we finished really strongly.
“When we have sat down to talk to players it has been really easy selling the club because they all want to be here – they have done their research, saw how we finished and want to be a part of what we are trying to do.
“We have a core 17 or 18 lads along with a few who have come through the system and have been training with us. With a lot of games coming up it is all about minutes and we will monitor the fitness levels as we go through.
“The guys will have had four training sessions before Saturday’s game. Those opening two matches will see players involved for a maximum of 45 minutes as they are more about fitness. Everyone will be involved at some point along with a few guys looking to earn themselves a deal.
“The Woking game the following Saturday will be different as we will have narrowed things down a little by then although we still have a few lads who will be away.”
Hurren also gave an update on the latest players to join the Bards.
He said: “I’m pleased to have been able to sort out a deal to bring Charlie Williams back. He was one of the reasons why our performances changed last season – he was one of the lads we brought in and he showed what an exciting prospect he is.”
“Charlie Dowd has signed from Nuneaton. I’ve known him for a few seasons and he is a fantastic footballer who can play in the ‘10’, the ‘8’ or out wide.
“Riley O’Sullivan is going cause teams problems – he’s a big strong powerful boy who can play down the middle or out wide. He has the right sort of profile for us and has worked with Bash before when he was at Hednesford.
“People like Riley and Callum Ebanks have massive potential but they need to be playing, and playing in the right environment. This football club is only going one way and players can come here knowing they are in a professional set-up. They just have to look around the place to see the potential here.”
And the Stratford boss added: “We have a really good blend of players at the momnet
“Every club needs a few experienced players in there but I remember when I was at Kidderminster Harriers under Mark Yates and me and Russ Penn were just 19 and we played nearly every minute of every game because we were hungry and wanted it.
“If you have that fire in your belly, then it goes a long way.
“There are some lads here who want to move back up the pyramid and to have that sort of player in the squad has to be a good thing for the club.”
