Dale pre-season training imminent

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The Dale first team squad report back for training next Monday, 2 July and Assistant Manager Dave Flitcroft says he is really happy with the build up to the new season and the progress that has been made behind the scenes at Spotland in the last six months.

He said: "A lot of the hard work regarding training facilities, getting players in and out and generally shapeshifting was done before last seaon. The work that we put in during our first six months, the groundwork that we did, really helped. We wanted to get things really nailed on for the pre-season brecause it is a six week programme where everything has to be meticulously planned.

"The wave of optimism has obviously carried into the summer. The Centenary celebrations are great and I love the new strip and it is tremendous that it has sold in such large numbers. All this type of thing helps to fuel the optimism levels."

"The formula at this football club is to treat the players as kings and that will continue through into the season. The Board has backed us in this regarding things like the players diet and bringing in support staff. Behind the scenes over six months this building has been going on and I am really excited by the things that we are doing."

"It's a massive thing that everyone is optimistic and pulling in the same direction. I have been at clubs as a player where existing players aren't re-signing or re-signing late. We assembled our squad knowing that we would have twenty odd players coming back whereas in the past I've looked around dressing rooms where there has only been six or seven players. We wanted our business done and dusted before we went on holiday and it was about assembling a squad that knew where they were going to be from the second that they reported back."

Dale Pre-Season Friendly Fixtures

Wednesday 18 July
Rossendale United (A) 
Kick Off 7.30pm

Saturday 21 July
Southport (A)
Kick Off 3.00pm

Centenary Match amp; Rose Bowl
Tuesday 24 July
Oldham Athletic (H)
Kick Off 7.30pm

Saturday 28 July
Huddersfield Town (H)
Kick Off 3.00pm

Tuesday 31 July
Droylsden (A)
Kick Off 7.30pm

Saturday 4 August
Northwich Victoria (A)
Kick Off 3.00pm