if you want to be a footballer, then you have to accept that one of life's necessary evils is pre- season training.
if you want to be a footballer, then you have to accept that one of life's necessary evils is pre- season training.
The blood, sweat and tears are part and parcel of Junior clubs' preparations the length and breadth of the country.
One man determined to ensure Beith's playing squad is in the best possible shape for the pre-season kick off is one-time Junior Scotland star Ian Ashcroft, recently installed as a coach - aka tormentor - at the ambitious Ayrshire outfit.
"Few if any of our lads are looking forward to the next two weeks of solid fitness work but there's no getting away from the fact it is a necessity," he said.
"Only when they are in something approaching a decent physical condition can we attempt to bring match fitness levels up to scratch.
"Otherwise, players run the real risk of picking up niggling muscle strains and pulls which could result in missing out on the start of the season proper.
"And even worse, they can then find themselves lagging behind their team-mates fitness-wise for the first few months. So it's best if we all roll our sleeves up and get stuck in together."
Beith, fifth top of the Super Premier last time out, face a stiff start to their pre-season friendly programme as they are one of the four teams, along with Irvine Meadow, St Mirren and hosts Neilston, taking part in the Kelburn Cup competition.
Their opener against Ayrshire rivals Medda will provide gaffer Johnny Miller with an early indication of whether his summer signings can improve his overall playing squad strength.
Gone are midfield battler John Jack to Clydebank and possibly Stevie Jack, reckoned to be on the verge of joining Renfrew, while full back Kevin Fraser and goalkeeper John Wright remain on the open to transfer list.
Replacing this quartet are Brian McKeown (Pollok), Andy Arbuckle (Kilwinning), Lee McShane (Rutherglen) and John Sheridan (Neilston), ironically set to make his Beith debut on the Brig O'Lea pastures he has only just departed.
Another prestigious double-header tournament taking place over the 19th July weekend is at East Kilbride, where the home side are up against Glenafton, Kilmarnock and last season's winners Stirling Albion, while newly promoted Thorniewood test their mettle at Robertson Park against Civil Service Strollers, Kirkcaldy YM and Blackburn United.
Other pre-season ties are: Rutherglen v Clyde, Kilsyth v Kelty Hearts, Arthurlie v Clydebank, Petershill v Lugar Boswell, St Anthonys v Auchinleck, Rob Roy v Harestanes Amateurs and Largs Thistle v Camelon.
Two clubs seeking friendlies, home or away, are Newmains (contact George Reid on 07855 294287) and Largs (contact Sandy McLean on 07946 598895).
The pick of the West of Scotland Cup first round ties is the Newlandsfield meeting of Pollok and Arthurlie, their third head to head over the opening six weeks of the new season.
Cup holders Kilbirnie Ladeside get their defence underway with a tester against Super First rivals Shotts Bon Accord while three near-neighbour clashes set to whet appetites are Maryhill v St Rochs, Shettleston v Benburb and Cambuslang Rangers v Vale of Clyde.
Dalry Thistle have appointed former Kilwinning Under 21 boss John Darroch as manager.
