The countdown for the start of the 2022-23 season can officially begin as today the first-team squad returned for pre-season training ahead of the new campaign.
It was a bright and early start for the boys as they arrived at Spytty Park for 9:30 and made use of the new-and-improved gym equipment at the training ground and calculating their body fat levels before a spot of lunch consisting of plenty of pasta and chicken to get the lads in the best-possible condition ahead of going out on the grass.
While the food got digested though, it was time for a meeting with the gaffer to welcome the returning lads back, the six new signings to the club, and go through what they did well last season while also focusing on what can be improved upon going into the new season.
On-pitch work got underway at 12:45 over at Dragon Park with the club utilising the top-of-the-range facilities as the squad got accustomed playing football again as they implemented the boss' training regime.
There was no easy introduction for the squad though as, once ready, they were split into two groups with Group One going straight into a bleep test while Group Two were on shuttle run duty, with a swap-over once the drills were completed.
Cam Norman and new boy Will Evans were the final two who went toe-to-toe in the bleep test from Group One with ever-present last season Norman being the last man standing while James Waite was triumphant from Group 2 with Lewis Collins just behind him.
The goalkeepers were kept busy with their drills after they'd finished their running and, after a cool down, the rest of the squad were back on the grass doing ball work to really crank into gear.
Throughout the next couple of days, we'll bring you plenty more from pre-season preparations to keep an eye on the club website!