Matt Richards has been speaking to ctfc.com ahead of the first friendly match of the summer.
Robins midfielder Matt Richards can't wait to get back onto the Whaddon Road pitch this Friday with our first pre-season opponents Wolves coming to town (7.45pm kick-off).Matt has been working hard on the training ground alongside some familiar and some fresh faces over the past two weeks but Friday's friendly against Wolverhampton Wanderers will prove to be the first test of many that the Robins will face throughout 2014-15.
Kenny Jackett's side were crowned League One champions last season and will be once again be playing in the second tier of English football in the forthcoming campaign. The game should prove to be a fine spectacle for fans craving live football action and Matt admitted he and his team-mates were itching for competitive football already.
"We're all really excited now," he said.
"For the first few weeks of the off season you're glad for the rest but after that you're raring to go and you just want to get back on the field to play football. The Wolves games is going to be a very good test and one that we're all looking forward too as well as Evesham because that was a good game last year too.
"It's just good to get out there on the pitch and to play a proper game. That's what everyone wants to do and it's what I enjoy most."
It's not just changes on the pitch that fans will hopefully have noticed this summer because the club has responded to criticism about the lack of a 'strong relationship' between supporters and the players last season.
The upcoming Open Day on Saturday 19 July at the training ground is just one step to help bring both fans and players together but Matt also spent time in the Regent Arcade on Saturday alongside Harry Williams and Troy Brown.
All three players, alongside Whaddney the Robin, were promoting the Open Day as well as the football club itself and Matt admitted he felt that the relationship between players and supporters will be key to their on-pitch success this season.
"This is everyone's club and we are all in it together," he said.
"The more that we interact and get together, the better, because we all want the same goal. It's nice to be around the supporters and things like the Open Day are brilliant because it's a good chance to meet people. I haven't met too many supporters despite having a season here so events like this will help us mix and I'm sure the fans will enjoy it as well."
Click here to learn more about the Open Day. Watch Matt's full interview on Robins Player here.
Don't forget that Matt and his team-mates will be in action this Friday (7.45pm kick-off) here at Whaddon Road in pre-season action versus Wolverhampton Wanderers. Ticket news can be found here.