PREECE: WE'RE RARING TO GO!

ANDY PREECE doesn't have to worry about Chorley blowing off the cobwebs in pre-season - they've been in all summer anyway!

- Matt Badcock

The National League Magpies hold voluntary training sessions through the off-season to help players keep ticking over.

And the experienced boss feels it helps them get a head start as they look to push for promotion again after falling to agonising defeat in the National League play-off semi-final to Brackley Town last season.

"They're all optional - it's there for the lads if they want it - but it's worked for us the last couple of seasons," Preece, whose side opened their pre-season account with a trip to Ashton Town yesterday, told The NLP. "The lads keep ticking over but it's hard doing it on your own and the lads like to be together.

"You can do ball work, twisting and turning, and get the body into the swing of things. I think you can advance things a little bit quicker. Especially with the new lads you've signed, it's great because they're not just coming in on the first day and getting used to everybody.

"It's a big commitment for the players, it's a commitment for myself and the coaches, but ultimately it's worth it long term.

"Our lads keep themselves pretty fit so it's not just about that. We do manage to get a lot of tactical work in as well. We really use this to be as organised as we can be. We have to find a way against those full-time teams.

"You've got to do those extras. It's relentless this league and it's not going to get any easier with the teams who have come down and the teams who have come up. It’s going to be really hard.”

And it doesn’t get any easier in the summer when it comes to getting player signings over the line.