Gloucester set to abandon full-time model

GLOUCESTER City will return to a ‘hybrid’ training model next season after two years of full-time football, writes Jon Palmer.

The Tigers have endured a season of struggle in the National League North and the budget for the 2022/23 season will be significantly reduced.

The players will revert to training two evenings a week, along with one daytime session, rather than the current four training mornings per week along with match days.

It is understood the club will consider a return to full-time playing staff in the future, should the team’s on-field fortunes improve. But the view is that there is not enough evidence to support the benefit of being full-time, which involves a greater financial commitment. An overhaul of the squad is now likely.

City, who play Kidderminster away this afternoon, are 20th in the table and four points above bottom club AFC Telford, who have two games in hand. On the plus side for Lee Mansell, right, and his side, only one team will be relegated from National League North this season.

Yeovil have signed Stockport defender Ben Barclay on loan ahead of today’s National League away trip to Woking.

The 25-year-old told the official club website: “I was open to coming out on loan and playing some football, and I’m ready to go.”

Meanwhile, both Bath City and Chippenham Town will be hopeful of taking three points today as the Romans host second-from-bottom Braintree, while the play-off chasing Bluebirds go to lowly Chelmsford.

Hereford FC are away to Chorley in the National League North.