Pre-season can be one of the most dreaded times of the year for any footballer, with a sudden snap back into gruelling training and a series of fitness tests awaiting them when they return to the training field.

For non-league players, getting back to full fitness can be much more of a struggle than it would be for a professional footballer, with them having to juggle exhausting training, a job that is helping support their career and their own personal life too.

Belper Town returned to the training pitch earlier this week as they look to improve on their mid table finish of last season. The Nailers boss, Charlie Palmer, believes that his pre-season plans can improve The Nailers and take them to new heights.

“I understand that the players didn’t get much of a pre-season last time out, so I’m hoping that having a proper pre-season will help us improve this season”.

“I will be preaching hard work to the players, not only in training, but also out on the pitch. There were a number of games last season that we could have won but didn’t due to a number of players not buying into what we were trying to do”.

Pre-season is also a time where a manager can see what his new players offer to him and what he still needs to add in order to complete his team. This is no different for The Nailers boss.

“I am assembling a team of players who will work well together and will all work hard out on the pitch. These players all know that it’s not about individuals but is more about the team and making sure that we play well and get results”.

With Charlie Palmer as manager, The Nailers have a fountain footballing knowledge and experience from his playing days, the Belper Town boss most famously played for Derby County, Hull City and Notts County.

However pre-season in non-league football is very different to the pre-season that the professionals receive, Palmer himself is very aware of this and is looking to find ways to help motivate his players.

“Some players will not be aware of what is required of them in the build up to pre-season, professionals can focus solely on this and will have more motivation to stay fit out of the season. It will be tough for the players but I will be looking to make it fun for them to keep them motivated and looking forward to it.”

Belper Town have their first game of their pre-season when they travel to Ashby Ivanhoe on the 16th of July as they look to prepare for what could be a big season for The Nailers.