NEW ESSEX & Suffolk Border League Premier Division club Harwich & Parkeston`s first pre-season training session was hailed a success.

Nineteen players, including the entire squad that finished last season, were put through their paces at the club’s Royal Oak headquarters last Tuesday.

And in addition to the existing players, they also welcomed a new signing in the shape of defender or midfielder Michael Murray.

Club stalwart Tony Armstrong, a committee member and trustee of the club, said: “We were very pleased with the turn-out.

“In some ways we were stepping into the unknown because we didn’t know how many would be there, especially given the warm weather and football on television.

“But all the players that we hoped would turn up did so, apart from four who had already told us they couldn’t make it.

“All the players who finished last season have re-signed and pledged their support, including Nicky Palmer. He was the outstanding first-team player last season, so that’s a real boost, and we’re also very excited about Michael.

“It’s a major signing for us because he’s a quality defender or midfielder.

“He’s still fairly young but has a wealth of experience, having played more than 200 Ridgeons League games during his first spell with Harwich.”

New joint-boss Mark Sharpe took the midweek session and Armstrong added: “The players responded well and showed the right attitude.

“Now it’s down to us to impress on them that we mean business.

“There’s still a long way to go, in terms of getting the club back to where we want to be after dropping out of the Ridgeons League last season.

“But getting a decent turn-out for our first training session was the first piece of the jigsaw.”

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