Chelmsford City Ladies FC have embarked on a pre-season fitness schedule with a difference - joining forces with local gyms Spring Health and Virgin Active to get their players in peak condition ready for the new campaign in military style!

Spring Health provided a contingent of First and Reserve Team players with a free Body Combat class while staff at Virgin Active took them through circuits followed by free use of their gym equipment, pool and other facilities. This week the players look forward to a ‘boot camp’ followed by their first friendly against Cambridge on the 24th July.

After an injury-hit season, the First Team aim to put last season’s relegation from the Eastern Region Women’s League Premier Division firmly behind them, while the Reserves look to build on the success they enjoyed by winning Division One of the Essex County Women’s League as well as clinching the League Cup.

Since last term the club’s adult section has gone through a massive restructure, enabling both teams to compete from a better grounding in their respective leagues. In further efforts to bring both squads together, the players will head up to Thorpe Woodlands Outdoor Activity Centre in Norfolk to take part in a team-building weekend.

The Firsts then prepare to face Leverstock Green in their opening fixture and Coach Sharon Brownlie said: “We went through a lot last season due to players suffering long-term injuries. The lack of movement between the squads meant that, at times, we were playing with nine and ten players, which was heartbreaking for those involved.”

“It was a real credit to the players that we completed the season and we go into this campaign with renewed optimism. With both teams under the same umbrella, we can look forward to an exciting season ahead. Our aim will be to get back to winning ways but, most importantly, we want the players to start enjoying themselves again.”

The club would like to thank both Spring Health and Virgin Active for their hospitality and for making pre season that bit more enjoyable for the squads. Further details on the centres where the Clarets have been training can be found at www.springhealth.net and www.virginactive.co.uk/ClubInfo/Default.aspx?ClubID=469.

Youth Cup Draw Lands Clarets With the Manor: City have been handed two consecutive home draws as they attempt to pave their road to the FA Youth Cup final, starting with a First Qualifying Round encounter against Southend Manor during the week commencing Monday 19th September.

The Clarets face fellow Essex opposition as they begin their involvement in the E.ON-sponsored competition and know that, if they’re successful, another home game will follow in the next stage on or around Monday 3rd October against either Oxhey Jets, Hemel Hempstead Town, Romford or Cheshunt.

49 Club - Latest Winners: Clarets fans Dave Littleson and Dave Morris were ‘in the money’ at the weekend when they scooped the 49 Club winnings on Saturday, bonus ball number 30 proving lucky for them in the National Lottery. And you could be next if you sign-up now - here are the details!

Simply select a number from 1 to 49. Complete a standing order form or write a cheque out for your annual subscription. Return the completed form or cheque to the club along with your contact details and chosen bonus ball number. Each time your number comes up as the bonus ball on the Saturday lottery, you win half your annual subscription!

You can choose to pay whatever you want as your winnings will be based on what you pay. For example, if you pay £60 up-front or £5 per month by standing order (£5 x 12 months = £60), you will win £30 every time your number comes up. For more details on how to sign-up, call (01245) 290959 or E-Mail rachel.kirby@chelmsfordcityfc.com.

Conference South Features on the Pools! Football supporters will be able to put their non-league acumen to the test on Monday 29th August when the full line-up of Blue Square Bet South fixtures are featured on the official Football Pools list, with Eastbourne Borough vs City at Number 26.

The full schedule is: 24 - Basingstoke Town vs Hampton & Richmond Borough; 25 - Dartford vs Bromley; 26 - Eastbourne Borough vs Chelmsford City; 27 - Eastleigh vs Weston-super-Mare; 28 - Farnborough vs Maidenhead United; 29 - Salisbury City vs Havant & Waterlooville; 30 - Staines Town vs Boreham Wood; 31 - Sutton United vs Dover Athletic; 32 - Thurrock vs Welling United; 33 - Tonbridge Angels vs Woking; 34 - Truro City vs Dorchester Town. To find out more, visit www.footballpools.com.

Under 11s Call for Players: Chelmsford City’s Under 11s, part of an FA Charter Standard Club, need three additional outfield players and a goalkeeper to play nine-a-side football in the Chelmsford Youth League. Training is at Chelmer Park on Wednesdays from 5:00-6:30pm and matches are on Sunday mornings. Contact Steve Harding on (01245) 260925 or (07765) 132245 or E-Mail harding-s1@sky.com.