NEW Eccleshill United boss Mark Greaves has paid tribute to the effort and ability of the players who turned up for pre-season training.

The first job for Greaves, assistant Sean Regan and head coach Hayden Lobley was to get a squad of players together.

They used their contacts in the game and the reputation of the club to bring players in for trials but they have to trim it down to a workable squad this week.

"I have to say that I was surprised at the turn-out at the first couple of sessions and very pleased with the standard," said Greaves.

"I'd like to thank all of the players for their effort, commitment and attitude to training in what were some very hard sessions. They were all really keen and gave everything and that has made it difficult for us.

"We've still got 30 players training with us but only nine signed on. Our first game was last night at Brighouse Town and we needed our best players for that one, so a lot of them haven't played yet.

"We'll get more training in this week and then when we play Golcar on Friday we can have a look at some of the others. Players can look good in training and look lost in a match situation. You have to have a proper look."

Greaves wants to start the trimming process after that so that he and his coaching staff can work with the squad the club will be starting the season with. That will mean telling a lot of the trialists they have not made the cut.

Greaves said: "I'm pleased with the way pre-season has gone so far and the players are looking fitter and sharper already. The games will give them that bit of match fitness that they need.

"But it's all about preparing for the real business and the coming season. With that in mind, I want to get the squad down to the best 16 or 18 players – that's about what we can manage as a club at this level.

"To do that we have to make a decision on the futures of the players that have been with us.

"We need to do that after the Golcar game and then concentrate our efforts on the lads who we want to take us into our first league game about four weeks later."