HEREFORD United's new defender Luke Graham is also training to be a sports journalist.

Every Friday, he will take us behind the scenes at Edgar Street to give us his take on the season.

"THERE'S nothing like being back in the school playground… that’s exactly how it is at any professional club in the country in pre-season. Everyone turns up for the first day, half an hour early (not me who turned up just on time due to the beautiful A4103 road into Hereford!) waiting in the changing room patiently for the headmaster to walk in.

Existing players (in their usual places), new signings and trialists sit there. Some in silence, some weighing up others, some chatting and there’s me (taking it all in)! We are all there for various reasons but we all share the same purpose. Those there want to play for Hereford United.

Kit man Roger is organised and the training kit is there already laid out for us. It’s a great thing for us players, albeit such a simple thing, having your kit washed and cleaned every day. Especially for the travellers like myself who will be staying up in Hereford and for the younger players who still don’t know how to work a washing machine at home!

The management team walk in, every single players slate is wiped clean. It’s a fresh start for everyone. We take in what they want from us and what is expected. One thing is clear, last season has gone and there’s going to be changes. It’s positive.

Then reality hits you as you leave for training (seeking directions and car schools), “You won’t need your boots!!!”

Mark my words, we didn’t need boots for the first 3 days of training and it was as hard as they come. The race course was one highlight, as we ran round like gallivanting horses using the furlongs for markers! Then came the dreaded, talked-about “forest of doom”, where we were running up the hills. It was like the travelators from gladiators, some were running backwards (I won’t name names) but I passed them on the way down!!

Fitness is important and this is seriously one of the fittest groups I’ve worked with in my career. Along with discipline and team spirit, will be the makings of any successful team, the quality will determine how successful.

With Towner, Clisty and I forming a three-man players’ committee, the fine system is already in full swing. It’s fair to say that I think Stefan Stam will be paying for our whole Christmas party at this rate. At time of writing, he left his swimming trunks behind yesterday and was duly fined today! Discipline is another thing that will bring us closer together and the banter is already starting to flow.

Having been lucky enough to have finished in the top five six times already in my career, I know how massive team spirit is. We are all different as people and as footballers. Not everyone will like my ways (not that I care too much!). But bringing the best out of each other on the field is the crucial bit. I’m a big team player and will pass on any knowledge or experiences to help us as a group win.

Even if it means explaining to Harry Pell, on the Queen’s visit to Hereford, “She doesn’t watch The Only Way Is Essex, so she won’t know who you are!”