GRAVESEND & Northfleet’s players return to training next week as they begin preparations for their return to the Conference after an absence of more than 20 years.

Fleet, who won the Ryman League Premier Division last season, will be hoping for a good start to the new campaign when they face an away trip to Yeovil on the opening day.

Assistant manager Phil Handford said: “We are really looking forward to the new season. It will be a new challenge for all of us to compete in the Conference.

“The priority is to consolidate our position in the league but we'd like to do more than just that and I think we're capable of doing well.”

The Fleet players, who begin training next Tuesday (July 9) and play their first pre-season game against Basingstoke on Friday, July 19, have been told to report back in good condition.

Handford warned: “We have got a new fitness coach in Neil Whittington. He will be looking at the diet and fitness of the players because it’s important we take care of ourselves. If we do it properly we can take an extra step forward. It could make all the difference at the end of the season.

“The players have been told to report for training in a decent state of fitness because pre-season is precious. They know the score. We won't hang around for players to get their fitness back. If they're not fit they won't be in the team for the first game of the season.”

With Gravesend playing 11 pre-season friendlies, including two lucrative home clashes with Brighton & Hove Albion and Gillingham, it gives the coaching staff a good opportunity to look at the summer signings - Austin Berkley, Jimmy Strouts, Mark Bentley and Lew Watts.

Handford admitted: "It's important to see the new signings play. We don't know them and they don't know us, so it's a good opportunity to spend some time together.

"We need to play well as a team but, perhaps more than ever, it's important that individuals play well because this is their chance to force their way into the starting line-up."