Chelmsford City players report back for pre-season training on Saturday and will immediately face a tough new fitness regime devised by the UK's leading athletic's trainer.

City manager Gary Bellamy has called upon an old friend, John Thrower, who is responsible as the fitness trainer for the UK athletic's squad, to devise a pre-season programme to help build-up the player's overall strength and stamina for the season ahead.

"I'm surprised more football clubs don't adapt this kind of fitness programme for players because like all sportsmen it's crucial towards improving performances on the field," Bellamy said.

"I know from experience that this is an important part of the build-up to ensure the players can cope with the physical demands of a long season."

Bellamy said that the programme was planned on assessing each player, finding out his weaknesses and then working on them over the coming weeks.

"It is all about working on aspects like stamina, speed and strength," he said. "Then the key is to keep monitoring the players over the coming weeks and helping them to improve in areas in which they are not particularly strong."

Bellamy said that the fitness programme provided extra variety of activities for the players to also keep them fresh and alert in their training sessions.

"I'm sure it will also help to make us a better and stronger footballing side," he added.

When City players meet for the first time tomorrow, two additional new faces will be taking part in the pre-season training.

A Welsh university graduate, Ben Fuller, who lives in Chelmsford and has returned to the town after completing his studies, will be joining up. Last season, the midfielder played for a League of Wales side.

The other newcomer is the much travelled midfielder Neil Grice, formerly of Braintree Town and Sudbury Town.

Woodbridge the first hurdle

City have been drawn away to Jewson League Premier Division side Woodbridge Town in the preliminary round of the AXA sponsored FA Cup. The tie will be played at Nocutts Park on Saturday, August 21.

A win for City will see them on their travels again to either Kingsbury Town or Tring Town.

To complete yet another away cup tie for City, they visit Dr Martens League South East Division rivals Sittingbourne in the FA Trophy on October 9.

Bellamy was philosophical about more away cup ties - in the Trophy it is the seventh consecutive away tie - but would have preferred at least one home match.

"I think we must either be in the wrong bag when the draws are made or our name is on a big tennis ball and not a golf ball, like everyone else!" he quipped.

"But we have to get on with it and we shall go away prepared and ready.

''The club, players and supporters would all like to see the side have a cup run because it boosts morale and also provides extra finances for the club, which is important."

City have confirmed two more attractive pre-season friendlies at their 'home' ground of New Lodge, Billericay.

On Saturday, July 24 City will take on a strong Southend United side (kick-off 3pm). On Monday, August 2, City entertain former Heybridge Swifts' boss Gary Hill's new-look Dagenham & Redbridge side, (kick-off 7.45pm).

In next season's Eastern Floodlight Competition, City have been paired in a group with Essex Senior League sides Southend Manor and Bowers United.

City will also play their home matches in the competition at New Lodge.

The Dr Martens League season kicks-off on Saturday, August 14, but as yet, who City will be playing remains unresolved - league officials are not expected to release the fixture list until later next week.

Chelmsford City manager Gary Bellamy, who is preparing a fitness programme for the players.

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