PRE-SEASON training in football can be the hardest thing about playing the beautiful game.

Throw in some unpredictable Borders weather and things can swiftly escalate into a nightmare for the players.

But the hardy souls at Peebles Rovers braved the lashing rain as normal service resumed at Whitestone Park last Saturday.

The Rovers' new gaffer, Ger Rossi and assistant, Allan McDonald, were able to work with the new-look squad as they oversaw a tough session.

With only two players retained from last season; Lee Zavaroni and Donovan Ndiweni, a clutch of new recruits arrived for the first day of training including former Tynecastle youngster, Saul Schulz-Keith, Tweeddale Rovers B Division winner, Jamie Mackay and the experienced figure of Colin Smith.

There were only a small number of players absent, notably David Lindsay, who was busy winning a golf championship!

And perhaps he was lucky to miss it, as the team kicked-off with a gruelling jog, before working on dribbling and passing.

Rovers plan to start their pre-season fixtures with a test against Chris Anderson's Vale of Leithen at Whitestone on July 11.

Speaking after the first session, Rossi spoke to the Peeblesshire News: “Today was great, it was a good turnout and I was really pleased with the efforts of those who were able to make it.

"It was difficult today, but the boys really pushed through and I was delighted to see everyone on the first day.Getting through pre-season is the hardest part, I don't know anybody that enjoys the running, it is a difficult four or five weeks, but the benefits of pre-season are massive; we all know how difficult it's going to be this season but today will really help in the build up.”

Rossi also commented on the targets that the club have set themselves for the coming season whilst praising the attitude of his new-look Rovers squad.

He said: "Honestly, it's stepping stones at the moment, but looking at the calibre of player we've got in the squad this year I think we have to be ambitious.

"There's a good mix of experience and young, hungry lads in the dressing room, so we're going to push them as far as they can go.

"We've got a lot of technically skilled players now as well so we're really excited about it, we can't put too many targets in place but we definitely want to be competitive for the new season and I'm sure the guys will deliver."

The new youth-orientated set-up the club have adopted is the product of a feeling down at Whitestone Park that the club should be taking a more active role in the community by opening up a pathway for kids to the senior team.

Steps have been made in this direction via the recruitment of local talent such as David Lindsay, Saul Schulz-Keith and Jamie Mackay.

Rovers also announced the recruitment of former Whitehill Welfare 'keeper, Ben McGinley and Peebles lad, Michael Cockburn

Pre-season will also see Peebles Rovers compete in the Football Nation Qualifying Cup against Civil Service Strollers at Whitestone Park, where victory will see them progress to a second-round tie against Edinburgh University.