Bond's boys go back to work (From Bournemouth Echo)

Bond's boys go back to work

6:05pm Thursday 3rd July 2008 in

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PRECISELY two months since suffering relegation from League One, Cherries begin pre-season training at Dean Court this morning.

With the pain of last season's final-day drama still fresh in the minds of players and supporters alike, manager Kevin Bond will put his men through their paces.

Following yesterday's takeover revelations and the ongoing off-field saga at the troubled Dorset club, all involved are likely to be keen to focus on footballing matters once again.

Cherries begin their pre-season friendlies in less than two weeks at Hamworthy Recreation.

The curtain-raiser is followed by five further warm-up fixtures, which include games against FA Cup winners Portsmouth and beaten Coca-Cola Championship play-off finalists Bristol City.

Cherries' pre-season fixtures: Away v Hamworthy Recreation (July 15, 6.30pm), away v Poole Town (July 18, 7.45pm), home v Portsmouth (July 22, 7.45pm), home v Bristol City (July 26, 3pm), away v Dorchester Town (July 29, 7.45pm), away v Eastleigh (August 2, 3pm).

• Cherries' youth team will face strong opposition, including counterparts from Portsmouth and Cardiff City, in a six-fixture pre-season schedule.

"I'm looking forward to it," said the club's head of youth Joe Roach.

"You always want to see a competitive element, as well as gauge fitness levels.

"You also get an idea of how the players will gel together.

"We've always competed well in pre-season with the likes of Aston Villa and Reading. It gives us good preparation for the start of the season."

The youth side begin pre-season training today at Brockenhurst College.

Cherries youth pre-season fixtures: Home v Charlton (July 19, noon), home v Portsmouth (July 24, 2pm), away v Coventry (July 26, 1pm), home v Cardiff (August 2, 1pm), away v Christchurch (August 4, 7.45pm), away v Southampton (August 9, 11am).