Rebels In No Rush As They Prepare For Their Big Season

His players were enjoying an extended break too. They’re not quite ready for football yet, except the World Cup of course.

But don’t believe for a minute that the Rebels think their first steps into the National League South will be a walk in the park.

They may not be ready to return to do some running quite yet, but don’t think they don’t know what’s around the corner.

Baker told us: “We’re actually not back in until July 3 this year.

“Football is different these days. When I was playing I used to come back to pre-season a mess! Weeks of partying and with weight to lose.

“It’s all changed now. All of the players go to the gym and all of them look after themselves like you wouldn’t believe. There’s just no need to beast them anymore. They are fit and we trust them.

“We did the same last year. Four weeks of pre-season is plenty. Any more is just overkill from our point of view. It’s important players get a good amount of time off because football is a big commitment.

“Wealdstone have a friendly a few days before the end of June. We won’t even be back in training by then!

“It’s each to their own at this time of year. You do what works for your club.”

Baker is excited by his new addition, former Barnet and Chesterfield midfielder Sam Togwell.

“I didn’t think he was in our price range but the main thing to him was playing locally and with a good set of players,” said the joint boss.

“His brother is at the club which of course helps and he celebrated promotion with us back in May so he saw for himself how great the lads are.”