Fitness is key for Ruthin

This is the key message that has been drummed into the players of Ruthin Town ahead of next month's big kick-off in the Huws Gray Alliance.

Chris Williams' side were regularly praised as being one of the fittest in the league last season - and the Ruthin boss wants the coming campaign to be no different.

"I spoke to them (the players) in mid-June to confirm when we will start pre-season," said Williams

"I told them they have all got to turn up in good condition... and they have turned up looking good.

"It's a funny time of the year. We started training late because we didn't finish last season until late.

"What we are going to do in October, we will train twice a week, or twice every other week, because the lads don't get any money for football."

Ruthin have scored four goals in each of their pre-season friendlies so far and both have ended in victories.

Ryan Jones bagged a hat-trick when Town opened their programme of friendlies with a 4-0 win over Llanuwchllyn in Rhewl.

Then, last Friday, two further goals from Jones and one apiece from James Watkins and Steff Dolben secured a 4-3 triumph for Ruthin at Llandudno Albion.

"We have had mixed teams for both games, with a few young lads and reserve players," added Williams.

"We've got some good young lads and 16-year-old Steff Dolben came on the other night and scored.

"I think it's important the young lads in the U-16s see that Steff Dolben has come on and scored.

"It's important they know they will always be looked at."

On the quality of clubs in this season's Huws Gray Alliance, Williams quipped: "I've tried not to look, to be honest!

"Obviously, we are all looking forward to Bangor and the first set of fixtures are difficult.

"We have got Rhyl, Denbigh, Bangor and Airbus early on.

"We have always struggled at the beginning of the season, but this year we have got one or two home games in August."

While Ruthin have made a number of additions to the squad over the summer, Williams is thrilled that the bulk of last season's players have agreed to remain at Memorial Park Fields.

"The new signings are good, but the most important thing is we have kept 95 per cent of the lads from last year," he added.

"New signings are great, but keeping the lads from last year is just as important."