Chester FC: Blues players run through the pain barrier

Jul 4 2010 by Paul Wheelock, Chester Chronicle

THE most painful part of pre-season training is coming to a close for Chester FC’s players.

Blues boss Neil Young has been putting his men through a series of lung-busting runs across the North West to ensure they are in peak condition when the Evo-Stik League First Division North gets under way next month.

While stamina-enhancing drills will still feature prominently, Chester’s new boys will for the first time get to work with the ball at their next session on Tuesday night.

Young said: “It’s hard work but the lads are doing really well. It’s a lot of running at the moment and it can be a bit laborious, so we’ve been moving around a bit.

“It’s important we get the core stamina right, especially at non-league level because we don’t have the opportunity to have the players in every day.

“The first time they’ll see a ball is Tuesday, but we’ll still be doing a lot of fitness work. We know we’ve got the Colwyn Bay friendly coming up on Saturday, but our aim is to get the lads right for the first game of the season – all our preparations are geared around that.”

Once the season kicks-off, Chester’s part-time players will be asked to juggle their work commitments with at least two training sessions per week when they do not have a midweek match.

Young said: “It’s the commitment of the players that is crucial, again especially at non-league.

“I’ve signed players who I know are committed. They have to be as fit as possible, and with that their skill will shine through.”