Reborn on the fourth of July! Hucknall Town set date for return to pre-season training

That is the date that manager Andy Graves has pencilled in for the club to resume training.

The Yellows last saw action on March 14, when they drew 2-2 at West Bridgford, before their campaign was declared null and void due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Now the East Midlands Counties Premier Division outfit are eager to meet up again as they begin pre-season training for the 2020-21 campaign, eager to improve on the fifth place they occupied when last season was ended.

"I have pencilled in doing something, obviously in a limited capacity, as that's what the FA rules are," Graves told The Dispatch. "To be honest, a lot of stuff's common sense but I'm looking to probably Saturday, July 4 to get them back.

"We think we'll be able to do it in small groups, because obviously it'll be mainly fitness-based to start with."

Government guidelines currently allow sports teams to train in groups of up to six, as long as members of different households observe social distancing rules. Graves believes this will allow his squad to get back into the swing of things.

He added: "With regards balls, within that group of five, we can do little bits. They say groups of six but that involves a coach so we're looking at groups of five.

"They can do fitness together a few metres apart round in a big circle. That's easy to do, me barking out orders. We can do ball work, limited passing."

Graves has been doing fitness work with what he describes as a 'core' group of players via Zoom meetings throughout lockdown, and believes that his players are itching to get back together.

Football may have been on hold but life doesn't stand still. Town have also been busy working on organising pre-season fixtures while Graves has been contacted by players keen to join the Yellows.

"I spoke with a couple of clubs regarding pre-season games and things are pencilled in, but we can't give firm dates," he said. "We just have to see where we are.

"I've had plenty of enquiries from players. It's a good thing and people want to get involved. But the other thing is we don’t want to bring in loads of new faces. We've always said that."