Alan Little's troops have been preparing for their imminent Third Division campaign in a five-day training camp at RAF Honington.

Echosport's BERNIE FRIEND limbered up to find out more

Southend United boss Alan Little is hoping that his team's flying visit to RAF Honington will transform them into Third Division top guns this season.

The Shrimpers chief enrolled his troops in a five-day training camp at the Suffolk airbase this week, with the aim of drilling his men into tip-top shape for the new campaign.

"Coming to Honington has been a very worthwhile exercise and all the lads are working hard to increase their fitness levels," said Little.

"But staying here for the week isn't just about the physical side of the game, it's also about building team morale.

"It has helped the new lads settle in and has also been an eye-opener for the younger players, as it has allowed them to get to know the senior pros at the club a lot better."

However, scouts on spying missions would find it hard to track down the Seasiders at their secret training camp.

RAF Honington is well off the beaten track, hidden away behind the seclusion of a typical sleepy English rural village, complete with the solitary country pub.

And Little, who has managed to bed and feed his 33-strong regiment for a week for just £1,000, said the peaceful surroundings have been ideal for his squad's summer preparations - although he was quick to stress it had been anything but a holiday for his men!

"We've come here to get fit and it certainly hasn't been an easy break for the players," added Little, whose team travelled to Cambridge United for a practice match today (Thursday).

"They've been up at the crack of dawn to get ready for a loosening session at 7am before breakfast, which has been followed by plenty of training.

"The lads have been doing between three or four gruelling sessions a day and have still been working hard until 9pm at night when we haven't had a game.

"Then it's been lights out and straight to bed for a good night's sleep in preparation for another early start because there's nothing to do here in the evenings."

RAF Honington's physical training instructor Mick Evans has been putting the Shrimpers through their paces.

"Southend's players are naturally very fit, but we've been pushing them harder to help get them into shape for the new season," said the Welshman.

"I've been warming the players up before taking them on four-mile runs and we've also been doing a lot of shuttle and circuit training work.

"But we've also been trying to keep their programme varied and break up the monotony for them.

"The players have also had use of our grass and all-weather pitches for ball work with their coaches and the swimming pool.

"I'm sure the players' week with us will be of benefit to them and as long as they keep their fitness levels topped up they will stay in trim for the whole football season."

Blues have also been joined on their summer slog by a couple of aspiring footballers from the airbase's regiment team.

And one of Honington's resident soccer stars, 21-year-old centre-half Paul Nelson, has enjoyed every minute of it.

"It's been a brilliant experience training alongside real professional footballers," said the Scouser.

"They've put a lot of effort into their work here and it's been a tough schedule - certainly a lot harder than the regiment teams' pre-season preparations."

Blues striker Neil Tolson, who has used the week to catch up on his own fitness programme after falling behind with a niggling groin strain, believed the trip had been a valuable exercise.

"It's been a good week and all the lads are looking really good," he said.

"On a personal note, I've made steady progress here and I think I'll be able to play some part in our friendly at Billericay Town on Saturday.

"The accommodation has been a bit basic, but we've had our own rooms and haven't had to share bunks.

"But the food's been really nice, consisting mainly of pasta, salad and fruit - there hasn't been a chip in sight!"

(Right) Crunch time - Southend United's first team squad feel the pain of stomach crunches during their training at RAF Honington

(Left) Feeling the pain - Blues defender Martyn Booty

Pictures: DAVE MONTIER

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.