FORMER Swindon Town defender Jerel Ifil has been putting Fairford's players through their paces as he bids to build squad fitness ahead of the start of the Hellenic League season.

Ifil, who made more than 200 appearances for the County Ground club and now plays for Staines in Conference South, is a qualified personal trainer.

He became involved in helping out at Cinder Lane through his friendship with former Swindon Town media manager Chris Tanner, the son of Fairford chairman Mike Tanner.

The 31-year-old is currently running 90-minute fitness sessions twice a week over a period of five weeks with the aim of getting Paul Braithwaite's men up to speed for the Division One West campaign.

“I'm trying to get the players as fit as possible and they seem to enjoy it, even though it's tough,” said Ifil, a strong advocate of ball work.

“I performed to my best as a professional when we did things in training that I believed were relevant, so I use all the things I've picked up over the years and found beneficial.

“I was never one to run around for pointless reasons. The only way you can better at football is to play football.

“I've done two pre-seasons as I've worked with Beversbrook as well and they are two clubs whose results I will keep an eye on.”

Braithwaite has been delighted with the sessions that Ifil has laid on for his players and hopes the Gloucestershire side will see the benefits in the season to come.

“Jerel’s sessions have been fun but also productive,” said Braithwaite.

“He’s proved that you can have pre-season fitness sessions with footballs. He doesn’t like the old school way of making players run round a field all day.

“He’s very much into the modern ways of coaching and it has been enjoyable for the players even though they have been tight afterwards - we’ve had a good response from them.

“It’s brought them together to realise that you can do teamwork and fitness at the same time. At one session the winning team did the punishment with the losing team, which is a good sign for us.”