Liversedge's players have been put through their paces this week after being eased back into pre-season training the previous week.

Following a gentle start, new manager Steve Newton brought fitness guru Brian Crowther in to condition the players.

Newton is relying heavily on his extensive contacts in the game and Sedge are already feeling the benefit.

His new assistant Andy Barber, the setting up of friendly fixtures, the fitness co-ordinator and even some new players are only at Clayborn because of Newton.

He says: "James Coubrough signed on when he knew I was taking over and he helped us tempt Craig Sugden from Thackley.

"Coubs was at Avenue when I was second-team boss and we have signed youngsters Luke Sherman, David Beckram and Luke Caulfield from the under-19s up at Horsfall.

"We started off with 40 lads at the first training session and 17 were from the youth squad but the others were all trying for the first team. There were also five or six still on holiday at the time.

"It is mainly all fitness work at the moment; the lads won't see a ball for the first couple of weeks. We assessed their fitness and then got them into solid work-outs."