Hume pleased with Stones' level of fitness

DONE DEAL:  Maidstone United's new boy Ian Cox (left) signs the relevant paperwork under the watchful eye of club secretary Darren Lovell
Photograph courtesy of www.maidstoneunited.co.uk 

Both the first team and the reserves set out on a couple of gentle runs around the lake before trainer Tim Warden put the first team through a tough circuit session.

Hume had a group of 20 or so players, whilst reserve team manager Peter Nott and his assistant Tony Cornwell had their young reserve squad plus a whole host of trialists and hopefuls. In all there were in excess of 50 players at the session.

Hume, speaking to www.maidstoneunited.co.uk, said: "I’m reasonably pleased with the condition that the players have returned in. Nobody appears to have over indulged during the break and it’s good to see that the players have the self-discipline and professionalism to maintain their own personal fitness regimes.

"We have a couple of players still away on holiday, notably Ben Lewis and two of our new signings Roland Edge and James Pinnock. The only injury problem we currently have is Sam Tydeman and even he turned up tonight to show his face and to meet the new guys.

"I’m keen to let the players get on with ball work as soon as possible in pre-season and that is possible for this squad as they have all come back with a good level of fitness.

"Tonight we finished with a 20 minute 14 vs. 7 session focusing on touch, control and movement and I think that the players enjoyed that."

The number of players that have contacted the club for trials has been staggering this summer and Nott has been given the task of assessing the various standards of those who are wishing to chance their arm.

Nott explained: "Myself and Tony (Cornwell) will have to split our current squad and the trialists over the next few sessions.

"If we see anybody who is obviously worthy of being viewed by Lloyd and Alan then we will send them straight over to join the first team.

"Some of the CVs sent through to us are quite strong but the proof of the pudding will be in actually seeing these guys perform.

"We’ll have to be quite ruthless and some of these hopeful players might have to go home disappointed sooner rather than later."

Article courtesy of www.maidstoneunited.co.uk