Weymouth reveal partnership with David Lloyd Poole

With many of Weymouth’s players based in Poole or Bournemouth, general manager Scott Mackenzie issued passes for the Terras to train without a large commute.

Passes offered Weymouth’s squad use of the gym, pool and more as the Terras sought to give their players the closest possible environment to full-time training.

With funds limited and the rigours of the National League well documented, Oldfield expressed his gratitude to the David Lloyd team for their efforts.

READ MORE: Weymouth v Barnet - match preview

He told Echosport: “Scott has let us use the full facilities. We have some members of the squad who can make the occasional day session.

“We tried to get some day work done and maintaining the evening work for the boys who can’t get across.

“Scott’s let us use the gym itself and the fabulous pool that’s there and some of the classes that have been really good.

“It’s a fantastic facility with many people there. People are really motivated to work and train, so it’s been great for us to come as a group, as a team, individually as well.

“I’d just like to say thank you to Scott and everybody at David Lloyd. They made us feel very welcome.”

Martell Taylor-Crossdale uses the gym as he continues his return from a knee injury Picture: WEYMOUTH FC

He added: “The boys go in after some sessions and they’ll do some gym sessions put on by Tom Donati (assistant manager) or sport science bits.

“The boys make it work well and then they can have a shower or get in the pool, that sort of stuff. It’s been really useful.”

Mackenzie revealed his pride in developing links with the sporting community in Dorset, and how Weymouth’s status as an elite sporting team married well to the David Lloyd brand.

He told Echosport: “When David (Oldfield) approached me it was very much a morale-booster, can we work together and give the guys a temporary membership just to help with fitness and even just chill time.

“A lot of the guys have been using spa facilities as well.”

He added: “It’s been great to collaborate in the community. Whether that’s with sports teams or businesses, it’s a good thing.

“To be able to do that with elite sportspeople and a high-calibre football team in the area was a cherry on the cake.

“We’re a premium operator and it’s been good to work with other causes of similar calibre.

“It’s really important that local businesses, sports teams, charities, schools know that we’re here.

“We’re a private health club but that doesn’t mean to say we’re not open to collaboration. We’re really keen to break any barriers down in terms of ensuring that people in the community know we’re an accessible club.

“We like to work together with the community as best we can.

“We’ve worked with local boxing clubs, local charities and done some work with a local church in the past. We like to get out there and make a bit of a difference.”

More information on David Lloyd Poole is available on their website.