Gillingham return to training next week but some of their rivals have already started.
We look at the early starters, the clubs heading for overseas warm-weather training, double headers and 60-minute matches.
ACCRINGTON – Accy have lined up pre-season friendlies against Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic in the first two weekends of July. They will play two 60-minute games in each, with halves lasting 30 minutes.
AFC WIMBLEDON – Johnnie Jackson’s taking his Dons team to Spain in the early days of July, heading off to Alicante between July 8-14 for five days of intensive training, rounded off with a first friendly while on tour, on July 13. The club are planning a fan meet and greet in Benidorm. They’ve also got games against Brentford and Charlton to play later in the month.
BARROW – Stephen Clemence will have a whole summer to prepare for a new season in League 2, following his sacking at the Gills. His summer friendlies include a trip to Scotland to play SPL side Kilmarnock and a home game against Spanish third-division side Real Union Club. They kick off pe-season on July 6 with an annual game against Holker Old Boys.
BRADFORD – Graham Alexander’s side returned to training on Monday, a week before most sides got back at it. They kick off pre-season with an away game at Chorley before heading off on a seven-day tour of Austria, training in the Alps and playing a game against SV Ried II. They’ve got a home game against Sunderland lined up ahead of the season starting and appear to have sorted out their problematic pitch at Valley Parade over the close season.
BROMLEY – Andy Woodman’s side will start their pre-season campaign at Isthmian Premier Division champions Hornchurch on July 13. They’ve got a tour to Portugal to look forward to between July 20-26 which comes inbetween behind-closed-doors games against Crystal Palace (July 16) and Brighton (July 27). The club are having to rip out their artificial pitch in preparation for life in the EFL and so haven’t got any home games planned.
CARLISLE – Paul Simpson’s side were back in training at Brunton Park on Monday with four new signings in the squad as they look to make an impression in League 2 after relegation last term. Their pre-season starts on Friday, July 5 away to Penrith and like Cumbrian neighbours Barrow, they’ve also lined up Scottish opponents with a trip to St Mirren. Their only home game is against last season’s League 2 champions Stockport a week before the new campaign gets under way and a trip to Priestfield.
CHELTENHAM – The Robins start preparations back in League 2 with a game at non-league neighbours Bishop’s Cleeve next Friday (July 5). Michael Flynn’s side take on Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle on July 20 and also host Championship side Bristol City and League 1 Northampton Town.
CHESTERFIELD – Last season’s National League champions are favourites to win League 2 and they will play Premier League Nottingham Forest in pre-season, on July 13. A tough summer schedule also sees them host Sheffield United and Derby County. Their players returned on Saturday (June 22) and will spend a week at a training camp in Spain.
COLCHESTER – Danny Cowley’s side just escaped the drop last term and start pre-season with a short trip to Maldon & Tiptree on Saturday, July 13 following two weeks of training at their Florence Park facility. United will host games against League 1 sides Peterborough United and Cambridge United.
CREWE ALEX – Last season’s losing play-off finalists will be back training on July 1 and are heading to Portugal between July 6-11 in the eastern Algarve. The club said that no friendlies are planned, with the team focusing on making use of the training pitches, fully-equipped gym and spa, and meeting rooms for analysis. Local opposition is planned for their return and games against Stoke City and Blackpool.
DONCASTER – The club re-signed veteran striker Billy Sharp this week and his first game back could be against non-league Stamford on July 16, for two 60-minute games. Rovers host Championship side Hull City – manager Grant McCann’s old club – and Middlesbrough and wrap up their pre-season with a visit to Steve Evans’ Rotherham United. Before all of that, Rovers are also taking a trip to Portugal for a warm-weather training camp but no matches are planned.
FLEETWOOD – The Cods are another team who chose to get back to work early this summer. Their players were back in the gym this week, starting pre-season on Monday at their Poolfoot Farm Sports & Leisure Complex, hitting the grass for the first time for some fitness and ball work. They are another team heading to St Mirren over the summer and will also be welcoming Hearts to Highbury Stadium on July 27 as part of their summer schedule.
GRIMSBY TOWN – The Mariners kick off their pre-season schedule against Northern Premier League Division 1 East neighbours Grimsby Borough on Tuesday, July 9. Town have also lined up games against the likes of Cleethorpes Town, South Shields, Alfreton, Boston United and York City along with a home game against League 1 Rotherham United.
HARROGATE TOWN – The Yorkshire side have scheduled several fixtures against higher-level sides in what looks like the toughest pre-season line-up in the division. They’ll face home games against Huddersfield Town, Leeds United, Sheffield United, Lincoln City and Middlesbrough this summer before a final warm-up game away at Darlington on August 3.
MK DONS – Mike Williamson’s side will start pre-season against a trio of non-league sides when they take on Barnet, Chelmsford and Wealdstone before stepping things up with games against Portsmouth and Plymouth Argyle at Stadium MK.
MORECAMBE – Non-league Workington will ease the Shrimps back into action during pre-season while there’s a home game against Blackpool scheduled to give the players more of a run-around. They are also playing non-league sides Warrington Town, Southport and Burscough.
NEWPORT COUNTY – It’s been a rocky summer at the South Wales club following the departure of manager Graham Coughlan and assistant Joe Dunne last week with the chairman looking to “take the club in a different direction.” The Exiles kick off pre-season with a trip to non-league Undy AFC before lining up tougher challenges including a behind-closed-doors match with Bristol City.
NOTTS COUNTY – The ‘Pies have a double-header at Peterborough United lined up as part of their summer schedule, playing last season’s League 1 play-off semi-finalists in two 90-minute matches in one day, a week before the League 2 season kicks off. Before that they face non-league sides Alfreton Town, Wealdstone, York City and Boston United, hoping to settle in several new recruits.
PORT VALE – Darren Moore’s side kick off their pre-season with a trio of local matches at Newcastle Town, Kidsgrove Athletic and Leek Town. A Luton Town XI will take on Vale before they complete preparations at home to League 1 Bolton Wanderers a week before the season kicks off.
SALFORD CITY – The Ammies are heading across the Irish Sea to Belfast for an early pre-season game on Sunday, July 7 against Crusaders. Karl Robinson’s men remain on their travels for the rest of the summer back in England to take on the likes of Bamber Bridge, FC United of Manchester, Altrincham, Warrington Town and Rochdale which hopefully means they’re working on a pitch that was in a bad state when Gillingham last visited.
SWINDON TOWN – Mark Kennedy’s side have a busy summer schedule with eight games including a couple behind closed doors. They start off against neighbours Swindon Supermarine on July 6 and also play Hungerford Town, Melksham Town and Highworth Town. Games against a Championship team and a Premier League XI won’t be open to the public. They also head to Eastleigh before finishing the hectic pre-season at home to Wycombe Wanderers.
TRANMERE ROVERS – Rovers say they will be taking part in “a number of behind-closed-doors matches” this summer with just four chances for fans to watch their team, including home games, against Blackpool and Wigan Athletic. Manager Nigel Adkins’ men will complete their schedule against non-league opponents, away at Vauxhall Motors.
WALSALL – There are two big games for Walsall fans to look forward to at home this summer with Premier League Aston Villa and League 1 Birmingham City both visiting the Poundland Bescot Stadium. Mat Sadler’s team will also head to Ireland for a training camp in late July where they will play Drogheda United. Both clubs are owned by the same Trivela Group portfolio and the game will be another step towards a working relationship.
