GRAVESEND & Northfleet's players will be rewarded for their efforts if they put in lots of hard work during pre-season training.

That's the message from club boss Andy Ford, who believes the only way the team will cope with life in the Conference, following promotion last season, is if they dedicate themselves to the cause from day one.

He said: "I've told the players to treat pre-season training like a bank account. If they put it in now they can gain the rewards at a later date. I've left the fitness side of things to our new fitness coach Neil Whittington and he says the players are in reasonable condition."

The Fleet are building up to their first campaign back in the Conference for over 20 years. Ford is under no illusions about the task facing his players in the coming season, particularly after being drawn to face Yeovil Town, Dagenham & Redbridge, Hereford United and Stevenage Borough in their opening four fixtures.

The Fleet boss said: "They are four massive games, real David versus Goliath clashes. It's a very tough start, which we need to get through.

"The standard in the Conference is two steps up from what we are used to, so we need to find our feet but I think we can cope in the division."