CHARD Town have now had four weeks of pre-season training and all the players have worked hard.

Numbers have been excellent, with 30 on average, and last Tuesday there were 40 in attendance.

There has been a mixture of senior players and Under-18s, which has been pleasing for boss Ashley Fussell.

Now all the players are looking to prove themselves in the four friendlies which have been arranged and are to take place in line with current government/FA guidelines.

New players Luke Finn, Alex Manley and Harry Hilton will be making their debut on Saturday, with Craig Every due to play the following week.

This Saturday the first friendly is at home to Gillingham, with Chard displaying all the recent refurbishments and improvements around the ground and in the clubhouse.

The Robins will also be welcoming back former manager Paul Down, who did a great job in difficult times, before leaving in 2018.

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ILMINSTER Town, meanwhile, lost their opening pre-season friendly 3-1 against Westlands on Saturday.

The Blues went ahead through new signing Ben Evett, but then went down to 10 men and Westlands scored three times through Mike Crousell, Luca Martin and Steve Ormrod.

Ilminster face Pilton United this coming Saturday, and Ilminster Town Ladies take on Weston Mendip on Sunday.

Ilminster Ladies have been boosted by this week’s news of a new coaching team under manager Craig Stuckey.

Former Chelsea, Bristol City and Yeovil Town player Helen Bleazard has come in as assistant manager, having previously served as head of youth football at Yeovil.

Matt Bennett has also joined, as a player development coach for the Ladies squad, as well as Brooke White as first team coach and Sam Armitage as head of goalkeeping.