The National League Magpies hold voluntary training sessions through the off-season to help players keep ticking over.
And the experienced boss feels it helps them get a head start as they look to push for promotion again after falling to agonising defeat in the National League play-off semi-final to Brackley Town last season.
"They're all optional - it's there for the lads if they want it - but it's worked for us the last couple of seasons," Preece, whose side opened their pre-season account with a trip to Ashton Town yesterday, told The NLP. "The lads keep ticking over but it's hard doing it on your own and the lads like to be together.
"You can do ball work, twisting and turning, and get the body into the swing of things. I think you can advance things a little bit quicker. Especially with the new lads you've signed, it's great because they're not just coming in on the first day and getting used to everybody.
"It's a big commitment for the players, it's a commitment for myself and the coaches, but ultimately it's worth it long term.
"Our lads keep themselves pretty fit so it's not just about that. We do manage to get a lot of tactical work in as well. We really use this to be as organised as we can be. We have to find a way against those full-time teams.
"You've got to do those extras. It's relentless this league and it's not going to get any easier with the teams who have come down and the teams who have come up. It’s going to be really hard.”
And it doesn’t get any easier in the summer when it comes to getting player signings over the line.
Bu hikaye The Non-League Football Paper dergisinin June 30, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Non-League Football Paper dergisinin June 30, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
WRAGGY WILL BE SORELY MISSED
MACCLESFIELD FC have led the tributes to “colossal” former manager Peter Wragg, who has passed away.
BURY & RAMMY HIT BIG STAGE!
BRYANLY’S late penalty kept Bury top of the tree in front of another record-breaking crowd at Gigg Lane on Boxing Day.
BRAVE BERKO ARE ON TRACK
Ducks demolition maintains title tilt
OWLS THAT! CLEE GLEE ON TOP OF THE TREE
CLEETHORPES Town maintained their four-point lead at the top of NPL East with a hard-fought 2-1 derby win over North Ferriby at the Myenergi Stadium.
HAWKS SWOOP IN FOR DERBY GLORY
REUBEN AUSTIN hailed Havant & Waterlooville teammate Leon Maloney’s wonder goal as ‘a hell of a strike’ as the Hawks continued their promotion push with a 3-1 local derby success over Gosport Borough.
JULIUS DICTATES - BUT FANS MIST IT
JULUS Ndene handed Leek Town a famous victory in the mist – not that any of the fans got to see it!
GOLDEN BROWN BACK AT THE TOP
PHIL Brown gave his Kidderminster Harriers players Christmas off – and was rewarded with a climb to the top of the tree.
BRENNAN'S BOYS SALVAGED IN 'KAMIKAZE' YEAR END
STRAIGHT talking Dean Brennan lamented ‘kamikaze’ defending despite seeing his Barnet nick a dramatic late point to end 2024 at the National League summit.
FIVE-STAR PIRATES PUMMEL ROVERS
IN the final game of the year at the Ledger Stadium, second-placed Real Bedford faced off against fourth-placed Barton Rovers, who arrived as the league’s in-form side.
MOORE'S LATE GOAL SEALS BIG REDS WIN
GEORGE Moore was the hero grabbing a stoppage-time winner to sink Kingstonian and take Uxbridge to third in the table in what is becoming a fascinating promotion race in the Pitching-In Isthmian South Central.