Rob Page’s players went through what every professional footballer dreads this afternoon – the first session of pre-season training.

New boys Sam Kelly, Remie Streete, Sam Foley, Burn Purkiss and Anthony Grant joined in with the likes of Carl Dickinson, Chris Neal and Michael O’Connor at Northwood Stadium.

Temparatures of over 30 degrees didn’t make the three-kilometer run any easier for the lads but new coaches Paul Bodin, John Harbin, and Dave Timmins were on hand to lend their encouragement.

The players followed the run with a short gym session before eating lunch together and returning to Vale Park.

Manager Rob Page said: “We’ve had a great day. It was just more of a case of testing them today to see what sort of fitness levels they’ve got.

“They’ve obviously looked after themselves in the close-season, which is pleasing. It makes our job easier.

“It’s still going to be hard and we’re still going to demand big standards from them but they’ve had a good day today and we’re looking forward to getting them together again tomorrow.”

Goalkeeper Chris Neal added: “It was always going to be tough coming in after the summer, no matter what you’ve done over the off season.

“It’s always going to be difficult the first session but it’s nice to get back after seven weeks off, see the lads and get going again. It’s been a tough morning but that’s to be expected.”