FC CLACTON begin their pre-season campaign this weekend.

The Seasiders play their first friendly of the summer at Kem Izzet’s Stanway Rovers on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

They are then on their travels again next Tuesday, when they visit Essex and Suffolk Border League heavyweights Gas Recreation (7pm).

Boss Kieron Shelley is looking forward to getting started but insists fitness, rather than results, is his primary concern.

“Friendlies are all about fitness and not about the results,” he said.

“The players won’t appreciate me saying that but for me, winning these games is nothing more than a bonus.

“It’s great and gives you something to build on.

“But the most important thing is fitness, working on certain shapes and systems and growing as a unit.

“I’m going to use a good mixture of players for these two games.”

Shelley has confirmed a few more summer additions, in terms of his squad.

Having previously confirmed that Billy Wales and Ben Parkin are returning, he now says Jake Plane – another former Seasider – and former Stanway Rovers and Wivenhoe Town man Lewis Blanchett will be part of his Rush Green Bowl squad.

Steve Downes is also stepping up from Border League side Weeley Athletic.

The centre-half was dual registered last season and played for Clacton on occasions, but only when he did not have Weeley commitments.

“I’m still trying to get a few more in but until they’re committed and have given me some kind of assurances, I won’t mention their names,” added Shelley.