Simon Grand ready to work hard at Telford

But the former Southport stopper is adamant that a bit of short term hardship over the next six-and-a-half weeks will be crucial.

His statement comes as the team plot to realise their Conference North promotion ambitions at the end of the campaign.

Grand, who was handed the skipper's armband last week, is already well accustomed to the gruelling fitness regime that Telford manager Liam Watson and assistant boss Dominic Morley will put the squad through.

Telford's players have been warned that the emphasis particularly early on in pre-season will be on developing a strong base of fitness rather than working with the ball.

And Grand, who was Watson's team captain when both were at Southport last season, admits that there will be some tough days ahead for the team as a result.

But he is convinced that the squad will have reaped the benefits come the end of the campaign.

He said: " It is not nice but it pays off at the end of the season. Last year we hardly touched a ball until our first pre-season game at Southport.

"But, even though we were a part-time team, we were one of the fittest in the league.

"It was just down to hard work and I think this season we will probably be one of the fittest teams again."

Grand will be one of at least 12 new signings at pre-season training this week following a busy overhaul of the playing squad at the New Bucks Head in the close season.

Telford's first pre-season friendly will take place a week tomorrow when the Bucks meet Shawbury United in the Shropshire Senior Cup quarter-final.