Cheltenham Town Ladies player Jo Lenton discusses an extremely tiring pre-season.
The last few weeks have been tough, really tough…
As if by magic our pre-season preparations have coincided with the hottest few weeks of the year so far.  I’m sure there aren’t that many footballers out there that like running (myself included!) but surely no one enjoys running in 30 degree heat!  In all seriousness though Ian has been working us hard and whilst the dreaded horseshoe sprint sessions are particularly evil, team spirit is high and everyone is really enjoying it.  First team left back Natalie Berry gives a flavour of how she feels pre-season is going.
"The new players that have arrived have fitted in really well," she said.
"The increased numbers mean tougher competition for places in both squads which can only be good moving forward. The off season gym sessions concentrating on strength work has meant pre season has been much easier."
On the 13th July members of both the First and Development team attended a Fitness Assessment Day at Hartpury College. Â The facilities there were top notch and we were put through our paces throughout the day taking part in the Bleep Test, sprint tests as well as a couple of other activities. Â We plan to do something similar later in the year to check out our own progress and this will provide a great challenge to everyone both physically and mentally during the new campaign.
At the end of the month we have a “Welcome to the Team” meal which is going to be a great way for all of our new players to integrate themselves into the club.  We are really trying to make Cheltenham Town Ladies the overall package – we want to be a professional and successful outfit and balance this with a great club atmosphere.  Maybe this is the time to reveal our new club initiation ceremony as inspired by a number of Premier League teams including Chelsea and West Brom…
Following this we have our first taste of football action on the 28th July at Newlands in an Intra-squad friendly.  This is going to be a great chance for both existing and new players to stake a claim for a starting position with a number of games to follow.  A couple of highlights include a trip to Premier League outfit Stoke City on the 18th August for the First Team and a game against newly promoted Bitton for the Development side.  A list of our friendly fixtures is noted below – it would be great to see as many people supporting us as possible if you fancy a bit of football action on a sunny Sunday afternoon!
Finally we must also say a big “thank you” to a special guest who has made an appearance at our training sessions this week.  A certain Mr. Marlon Pack dropped by and it's great to have such high profile supporters. Â
1st Team Friendlies
28th July – Intra-squad friendly (h)
4th August – Larkhall (h)
11th August – Yeovil Town reserves (a)
18th August – Stoke City (a)
Development Team Friendliest
28th July – Intra-squad friendly (h)
11th August – Forest Green Rovers Reserves (a)
18th August – Bitton (a)
1st September – Oldland Abbotonians (a)
We play our home games at Newlands Park, Southam Lane, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, GL52 3PE so please come along and support us.