Gloucester City co-chairman Alex Petheram expects “high change” in players due to training model shift next season

Gloucester City co-chairman Alex Petheram has admitted there will be a huge turnaround of players in the summer as the club shifts to a hybrid training model for next season.

It was reported back in January that The Tigers will be abandoning the full-time status that they have been operating under for the last two seasons.

This comes amidst what has been a disappointing season for Lee Mansell’s side, as the club have been battling relegation for most of the year. As a result of the changes off the pitch, Petheram says he is prepared for some of the team’s key players to depart.

“I expect there to be a high change in players for next season,” Petheram said.

“Next year we’re going to a hybrid model where we’ll be training three mornings a week. Our training days will be Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings, so it’s not too dissimilar to a full-time model, just basically takes away one day.

“At the moment the guys will stay in the afternoon and do a double session, go to the gym. “

However Petheram, who joined the club alongside Eamonn McGurk in 2018, was keen to clear up that City haven’t fully committed to a part-time model.

“A full part-time model for the club just doesn’t work because we need the pitch in the evenings for our academy,” he added.

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Reflecting on how the season has gone up until this point, he admitted: “It’s been difficult. I don’t think anyone can hide from the fact we’re not where we wanted to be this year and our expectations were higher than our league position, but that’s football.

“Part of football and sport is you aren’t going to win every game and you are going to have difficult seasons and periods. We’ve had a difficult 12 months, but I believe we’re coming out of it now. Since null and void, it’s hit us harder than most across all aspects of the football club.

“I’d like to think now we have got a few good results under our belt we can have if nothing else an enjoyable end to the season.

“I think that’s our only goal now, just enjoy the run until the end of the season and look forward to next year.”

Gloucester City take on top of the table Gateshead in the National League North on Saturday (3pm kick off) at New Meadow Park.