Head of Recruitment Guy Branston was excited to see so many new faces at the training ground this week…
The club’s staff have been incredibly busy this close season, working hard talking to players, meeting agents and confirming deals.
Branston and his colleagues have spoke to hundreds of players the past few weeks and they managed to secure 10 trialists into the building for pre-season.
He admitted that it’s not just the average lower league players that are looking to earn a deal with the club, but players from around the world.
He told Magpie Player: “The lads have come back and everyone is bubbly. We’ve got a lot of new faces, a lot of trialists through the door that we can have a good look at and it’s been a positive first week of pre-season.
“We are going to look at least 10 trialists throughout pre-season, some local lads, some from around the world and there’s a real good mixture.
“We have widen our horizons whilst recruiting and not gone down the stereotypical League One way. It’s going to different, but very positive.
“We will have more trialists, they are all being tested this week and it’s important that they all try to impress the staff. The fitness side of thing is massive and it’s important they showcase themselves during such a short period of time.
“We will continue to be aiming higher, we’ve gone through a process and discuss every trialists. We’ve put a group together and push the first team lads, put them under pressure.”
Magpie Player subscribers can watch the full interview by clicking here.