Boss Bircham puts brakes on Tudors' preparations

Hemel Hempstead Town's new season is now set to begin on October 3
Lee BirchamLee Bircham
Lee Bircham

Lee Bircham has been forced to put the brakes on Hemel Hempstead Town’s preparations for the new National League South season.

The new Tudors boss had already brought his team back for pre-season training in anticipation of a start date for the new campaign in September.

However, the season is now not set to begin until October 3 with the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup while the league matches are expected to commence the following week.

Keen to have an intensive six-week build-up, boss Bircham has made the decision to haul things in slightly but the enthusiasm of his players ultimately stopped him from halting pre-season training altogether.

“We had it all mapped out,” the Tudors manager said.

“We have Scott Daly there doing the fitness work and he had that all mapped out and the boys came in and were excited.

“But then we found out that the season has been moved back to October.

“Ideally, we would have pulled the handbrake up and stopped the whole lot but the boys are in a place now where they want to be doing something.

“So we have taken it down to once a week until August 22 and that will be six weeks before the start of the season and will be the point at which we step it up again.

“It’s messed things up slightly and we have had to cancel a few friendlies we had arranged.

“But it’s the same for every team at our level and we just have to turn it into a positive.

“I have been really pleased with the attitude of the players and I am delighted with the lads we have brought in. The group is gelling already so I am happy.”

Bircham has also been boosted by a helping hand from brother Marc, who has been taking sessions during training.

The former Queens Park Rangers captain and coach is currently waiting to return to the Bahamas to resume his role of technical director for the Bahamas Football Association.

“Marc is getting involved a bit and he loves it, of course,” Hemel boss Lee added.

“I split the group up into the lads we had signed and the lads we hadn’t and the boys who have signed went with Marc and they were all smiling and laughing about it. But he absolutely pummelled them!

“He has done a bit more with us this week. The Bahamas are in lockdown so he can’t get out there and he just said to me that he wanted to do something so he is helping out until he goes back. It’s good for the boys. It’s a different voice.”

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