Harrogate Railway boss Billy Miller will miss most of pre-season and the team will be in the capable hands of his assistant Lee Ashforth (right)
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Harrogate Railway players showed their commitment to the cause by donning overalls and grabbing paint brushes last week.
Billy Miller’s side, who return to pre-season training next week, willingly helped spruce their Station View ground up ahead of the new Evo Stik Division One North season.
Miller said: “The key for me was ‘why did we do it’?
“We did it because it was a job that needed doing, but we also did it to show that everyone at the club is united.
“It shouldn’t be down to two people to make sure the ground is ready. We took a night off and went in.
“I think we painted two changing rooms in 35 minutes and one complete side of the ground because we had so many bodies.”
Miller will actually miss most of pre-season as he is working in the United States for the Manchester United Soccer Schools.
While he is away, the team will be in the capable hands of his very experienced and respected assistant Lee Ashforth.
Talking about his views of pre-season, Miller said: “The concept of pre-season is great, but I just think that expectations go through the roof.
“It is about managing those expectations. For us, the games themselves are about game-time and making sure they have had enough game-time for the season.
“I would give up pre-season for three points on the first day of the season. I think most managers would do that.
“When we go into the games, we will be playing teams at different stages in their pre-season. The NCEL clubs will be ahead of us because they start the season earlier than us.
“Pre-season for me is just a case of getting the lads back in and getting them firing on all cylinders again.”
Railway are going to need to be firing on all cylinders as the Division One North line-up is arguably the most exciting since the North/South split in 2007.
Harrogate defied the odds last season to finish 13th and Miller admits he is excited about the 2014-15 campaign.
“We’ve retained most of the squad from last season, the only obvious departure is Colin Hunter who has retired,” he added.
“In terms of Simon (Weaver), our relationship continues and we have had weekly chats about next season so there’ll be opportunities to dual-register.
“The biggest plus for us this year is Steve Grimes coming on board with the International Academy of Football and Education (to run the club’s reserve team). That will give us a pool of players that will hopefully enhance the players we have already got.
“I can’t wait for the season. Look at the teams in the league, Scarborough, Spennymoor, Droylsden, Darlington, Warrington, Lancaster and Farsley again.
“It is going to be an interesting challenge and I can’t wait.”