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Training gets tougher at Annan Athletic

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Chris Jardine | 15:12 UK time, Wednesday, 1 July 2009

Well, the boys down at Annan are well into pre-season now and the friendly fixtures begin this weekend.

That's seven sessions down with one more to go before the games away to both Vale of Leithen and Gala Fairydean.

It should be a good weekend with the team staying overnight for a bit of bonding, but unfortunately I'm missing the trip due to a wedding.

townsley_poster.jpgMy partner, Laura, is bridesmaid, so I don't think I would ever have been forgiven if I missed this one.

I'm delighted to say that the most dreaded session of pre-season has been and gone and we don't have to worry about it again for another year.

The manager, Harry Cairney, usually throws the '18-lapper' in on the second Saturday back, but he surprised us with his clipboard and stopwatch last Thursday.

It's one of those runs that every player at the club despises, but we all pull each other through and it's always high-fives all round when it's out the way.

We are now on the way down in terms of distance of runs and, after training on Monday, Harry tried to kid us that all the hard work was "almost" out the way.

That's funny that, gaffer, because I remember every Tuesday night last season being hard work. Never mind, I think we all knew what he meant.

We should be getting our new club tracksuits and training gear soon.

It's likely to be similar to last year, with the players wearing blue and the coaching staff in red.

I've been telling big Derek Townsley that I'm going to buy my own red outfit this season as the big man has been getting it easy these past few weeks.

During the running, he'll do two laps to our three and, when the footballs come out, he's not even in either team - he becomes 'the floater' so he never has to chase after the ball.

You've got to let him off I suppose - he's getting on a bit, although he does remind me that it'll only be a couple of years and I'll be in the same boat.

On a more serious note, its great news for the club that Degsy has signed a new one year contract with the club.

It's been well documented that the chairman made an ambitious attempt to get Andy Aitken back to the club and I think that might have been with the intention of giving Degsy a rest now and again.

, and no other defenders brought in to date, it would appear the big man will be busy again this season.

Not that that's a bad thing - he was fantastic for us last year.

Even when he's not having the best of days, his experience, organisation and communication helps everyone else in the side.

In my opinion, he played a big part in the success of both Kevin Neilson and Peter Watson last year too.

There have been no further additions to the signings of , but there are new faces trying to impress the manager at every training session.

I'm sure it won't be long before there are some more announcements made in terms of players joining the club.

There are a few rumours going around as well, but we'll wait and see if there is any substance to them before I let you know - and there are some interesting ones in there (for Annan supporters at least!).

While the entrance hasn't been too busy, there have been a few heading for the exit door in the past couple of days.

and has had the last year of his contract terminated.

and goalkeeper Dougie Calder has joined Bellshill Juniors.

In Darren and Dougie's case, they are leaving in search of regular football and hopefully they will get that at their new clubs.

My best wishes go to the three of them.

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