HEYBRIDGE Swifts supporters will get the chance to watch their team put through their paces in training, this weekend.

The Ryman League division north side will hold an open training session at the Aspen Waite Arena, on Saturday.

Newly-appointed boss Stuart Nethercott will put his players through their paces, while the club’s newly-refurbished clubhouse will be serving food and drink.

The club will be adhering to the latest government guidelines in relation to Covid-19 when they host the training session, which starts at 1pm.

Swifts vice chairman Steve Spreadbury said: “I’ve been in conversation with our new gaffer and we’d like to put on this open session for the fans.

“We hope to have most of the players who have stayed with us this summer available to take part, along with some new ones on show.

“It is an open invitation to all fans to come along and watch and enjoy a beer or soft drink on the first day back at the clubhouse.

“Hopefully it will feel like the return to some kind of normality but, of course, we will be keeping to Covid-19 guidelines.

“We’d really like to make a nice afternoon of it with a BBQ and the screening of any live football in the clubhouse.

“At this stage it is looking like the weather will be a pleasant 21 degrees, so it is set up for a nice get-together.

“Our chairman Gary White and I will both be there to meet and greet people back to the club and its new facility.

“And again I’d like to thank Maldon Structual’s Lee Cowlin for making the clubhouse project happen.”

Meanwhile, six Swifts volunteers have received their awards to mark their excellent service after making outstanding contributions to the club.

The group received their engraved trophies from Swifts chairman Gary White and vice-chairman Steve Spreadbury at the Aspen Waite Arena last Saturday, while observing social distancing guidelines.

Swifts bar manager Gary Perkins received his Thank You award while former Swifts club secretary Chris Daines was presented with his Long-Term Service Recognition award.

Catering managers and club stalwarts Stewart and Jenny Clark were joint winners of Swifts’ Clubman of the Year award and Lee Cowlin of Maldon Structural & Plant Hire was given a Special Achievement award for overseeing the refurbishment of Swifts’ clubhouse.

Swifts' volunteer photographer Alan Edmonds, who has helped raise Swifts’ profile immensely in recent seasons, was presented with a Special Recognition award.