WEYMOUTH boss Jason Matthews feels pre-season got off to a great start on Tuesday as his side stepped up their preparations last night as the whole squad returned for the first time.

Some of the squad took part in Mark Molesley’s first session as a player-coach on Tuesday and Matthews, who also took part, felt the coach has added something extra to the Terras.

Along with Molesley, others at the club are bringing a professional air to the club as Weymouth look for every advantage.

Matthews told Echosport: “We’re doing a screening tomorrow to monitor a few things. We also have a few state-of-the-art things that our physiotherapist has brought to the table which are all good things.

“We are trying to become as professional as we can as a part-time club.

“I need the players to buy into that and I feel they are, it is nice. There’s a great vibe around the camp and the new players are fitting in really well.

“Pre-season is all about building that team spirit and getting your match fitness and building for a successful season.”

Matthews has spent a lot of time in non-League and feels the professionalism of the league has never been higher.

He explained: “Non-League has come on leaps and bounds in the last seven years.

“It has moved on and everyone is trying to be that more professional and that is the way the game has gone.

“People do look after themselves nowadays and it means you don’t have to beast the lads as soon as they come back for pre-season.”

Along with his squad, Matthews has some trialists joining up with the squad before their first pre-season friendly against Exeter City next week.