CLUB NEWS: Welcome Billy

It was certainly a standard Cumbrian welcome as new manager Billy Barr took charge of his first training session at a damp, cold Newton Rigg complex last night.

Working alone with the outfield players before Lee Andrews returns from a pre planned break in time for Thursday's session, Billy wasted no time in getting himself introduced or in quite a few cases re-introduced to the players.

A quick 'measure up' from Andrea for benchwear and kit followed and it was straight out onto the pitch.

A near 2 hour session followed with the managers immediate aim being "to put smiles on faces" but admittedly that did come after a fair bit of running for the lads first!

Plenty of ball work followed as you'd expect in what was a very good session.

It was clear to see Billy had done his homework before being appointed. He was aware of the players carrying knocks and spent time with them, had clearly watched the VEO recording of last weekends victory at Stocksbridge and that on top of his incognito appearance at Borough Park for the Gainsborough game which was actually ahead of his first interview with the Chairman and Vice Chairman.

It had been a busy afternoon for the new gaffer as he'd already done radio interviews for Radio Cumbria and CRFM within minutes of his arrival being announced.