Whitstable Town boss Mark Lane gets his troops fit and raring to go

Monday 12th July 2010

WHITSTABLE TOWN boss Mark Lane says his players will be in peak physical condition ahead of his first full season in charge at The Belmont, writes Stephen McCartney.

Lane stepped up from his goalkeeping coaching duties to manage the side last March, taking charge of the last ten league games, following the departure of Mark Munday, and he maintained the club’s Ryman League Division One South status with a record of six wins and a draw.

Whitstable reported back to pre-season training earlier than normal on 26 June and Lane, Clint Gooding, Andy Morris and recently appointed reserve team manager Dave Fairclough have put the side through their paces.

They take to the field on Saturday with their opening pre-season friendly away to Safety Net Associates Kent League side Corinthian.

“We have been working very closely and I am pleased with the contribution and organisation of the team in respect off the sessions that we have put on for the club players,” Lane told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

“We have now completed five sessions with the club at which we have had approximately 40 players in attendance at each session.

“I started pre-season at week or two earlier than most teams in an effort to ensure that the players were in the right physical condition. Both myself and Clint have felt that during the last couple of years the players were not as physically fit as maybe they should have been.

“A couple of the sessions have been split between fitness work and ball work and we have had the services of a conditioning coach at one of these sessions.

“It was pleasing to see that the majority of the players from last year have managed to keep themselves pretty fit during the summer.

“We will now spend the next few sessions working again on fitness and more importantly on ball work in readiness for the first pre-season friendly away to Corinthian on Saturday.”

Lane revealed that he currently has 13 players signed on Ryman League forms, including Dave Cory, Dave Soutan and goalkeeper Kevin Fewell, with further signings being made prior to the start off the season.

“All three are important signings as they form the main spine of the team,” said Lane.

“A number of players have been approached by other teams in the Ryman (League), but I’m pleased to say that they have all committed themselves to Whitstable Town and this says a lot about the club environment and the team spirit within the club as a whole. Not to mention an excellent playing surface.”

When asked about the experience within the camp, Lane replied: “The majority of the players, although not old in age, now have three years experience of playing at Ryman level and we are hopeful that this experience will help the younger, inexperienced players once the season starts.

“It is vitally important that we get a good start to the campaign this year and we have three very hard pre-season games at Ryman Premier opposition at the back end of the schedule to test us.”

Lane, who is currently without Scott Heard, du to a ligament/cartlidge injury, urges the Belmont faithful to get behind his side.

“I’m sure as normal the supporters expectations will be high, but I would urge them not to put too much pressure on the squad prior to the season commencing,” said Lane.

“The supporters are vitally important to the motivation of the team as a whole and there is nothing that the players like more than playing in front of vociferous, positive fans at the Belmont.

“They have proved loyal, especially throughout last season, and I hope to see the numbers in attendance improving on last year.”

Quotes courtesy of www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

Corinthian v Whitstable Town

Pre-Season Friendly

Saturday 17th July 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Gay Dawn Farm, Valley Road, Longfield, Kent DA3 8LY