Sittingbourne manager Reece Prestedge on team’s return to training ahead of 2026/27 season

Sittingbourne manager Reece Prestedge has been encouraged by the way his players have returned for pre-season as the team build towards another promotion push.

The Brickies were back on the training pitch last week ahead of their first friendly at home to AFC Greenwich Borough at the Staxson Stadium on July 11.

Prestedge has been impressed with the fitness levels and attitude shown by his squad after the summer break, returning to training last Thursday for the first time.

“It’s been good,” he said. “The first session is always a little tune-up session, a little bit of fun and getting the rust off, but there was also a good attitude and good intensity to it.

“Everyone goes back really fit now. No one turns up to pre-season needing pre-season anymore. It was a good level of fitness. We did tests on Saturday and everyone came through really well, which was good to hear.”

Fitness remains the priority before attention turns to tactical work ahead of the new campaign.

“We trained again Tuesday and then Thursday with a lot of short and sharp, high-intensity work,” Prestedge explained.

“Saturday will be another test run and then from next week it will probably be shape, patterns and identity.”

The Brickies boss has also enjoyed seeing his squad reconnect after the close season, with team spirit once again high on the agenda.

He said: “The bonding side of things is always good to see as well because everyone needs to get on.

“We’ll have a day where we knock training on the head and go for something to eat, or do a pool session or go in the gym. You need to see people outside of their comfort zone.”

While Prestedge is pleased with the make-up of his squad, he admits there is still room for a couple of additions before the league