Montrose manager Paul Hegarty is relishing the new season even though the early start has proved to be something of a challenge.
The Gable Endies were among the first clubs to return to pre-season training, donning the boots last Saturday.
Hegarty revealed there is something of a feelgood factor running through Links Park thanks to players being keen to sign on for the new League Two campaign.
However, the mid-July return to competitive action in the Betfred Cup – Montrose host Ross County on the 16th – is causing some problems for part-time players.
“We started last Saturday with a double session at Montrose and then trained in Dundee a couple of times,” said Hegarty.
“It’s a short break this summer because of the early League (Betfred) Cup start.
“The problem at our level is some players take holidays in the first or second week in July.
“A couple of our guys are married to school teachers so they can only take a holiday at a certain time.
“That is fine if you are a full-time player but more difficult for our lads.”
Hegarty has been delighted with the response he has had from players looking to be in the plans for the new campaign.
He added: “Last year we had a problem because we just escaped relegation by the skin of our teeth and had to get rid of the majority of players.
“However, that hasn’t been the case this summer because the boys acquitted themselves really well and we kept most of them.
“They know where (assistant manager) John Holt and I are coming from and they wanted to sign again so we must be doing something right.”
