Key points

• An update on squad planning and preparations for the new season
• Long term player retention remains a key focus
• Young professionals commit their futures to the club
• Kyle Taylor joins from Liverpool FC as Head of Physical Performance
• Thomas Cadman appointed Head of Medical
• Steve Foster moves into a new full time football operations role
• A thank you to outgoing Club Secretary Mark Lockyear
• Focus turns towards pre season and the National League opener on 8th August

Since our final game of the season at Gateshead, it has been an extremely busy period behind the scenes. Neil Gibson, Lee Jones and I have been working around the clock on recruitment, retention and preparations for the new season.

We are pleased with the progress being made across a number of areas and with how our plans are coming together. Much of the work undertaken at this stage of the summer happens away from the spotlight, but it is an important part of ensuring the club is in the strongest possible position heading into the new campaign.

As always, we will only announce signings once everything is fully completed. That means agreements reached, paperwork signed, medicals passed and, importantly, the players have been in front of the Alty cameras.

In my previous update, I spoke about our desire to build a squad capable of playing with the intensity that Neil and Lee demand. We want a team that is aggressive, energetic and entertaining to watch. We want a style of football that supporters can enjoy and one that puts bums on seats.

Very early in the process we identified the type of players we wanted at the club, both in terms of ability and character. Alongside recruitment, continuity has also been a major focus. Several of the players who have agreed new deals, some of whom have already been announced, are entering what we believe will be the peak years of their careers. As a result, we have made a conscious decision to secure a number of those players on longer term contracts.

That continuity is important. It allows us to build year on year rather than continually starting again each summer.

Earlier today, we announced that a number of our young professionals had committed their futures to the club, while Max Beddow signed his first professional contract. They may be the youngest members of the senior squad, but they are every bit as important to our plans as the more experienced players around them. We have worked hard to strengthen the pathway from the Academy into the first team environment and believe it is important that talented young players can see a genuine route into senior football. Developing our own players will always be an important part of the club's strategy and it is pleasing to see that pathway continuing to produce players capable of progressing into the senior squad.

We have a clear picture of what we want the squad to look like and remain focused on adding further quality in the weeks ahead.

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Off the pitch, we have also made some important additions to our football operations team.

As announced earlier this month, we were delighted to persuade Kyle Taylor to join us from Liverpool FC as Head of Physical Performance. Although Kyle's official start date was 1 June, he had already prepared individual off season programmes for every member of the squad before joining. He has hit the ground running and his enthusiasm, positivity and attention to detail have already made a real impression. Spending time in Kyle's company cannot help but leave you feeling enthused. He is incredibly positive, driven and passionate about what he does, and I have no doubt the players will respond well to his approach and the standards he sets.

Joining Kyle in a new role is Thomas Cadman, who becomes our Head of Medical. Thomas has spent the last four years within the club's physiotherapy department and has worked alongside a number of lead physios during that time. He knows many of the players well and has built up a strong understanding of the demands of National League football.

The objective of the department is simple: maximise player availability and ensure every player is physically prepared for the demands that Neil and Lee place upon them. With Thomas leading the medical department, Kyle heading up physical performance and additional specialist support available to the club, we believe we have a structure in place that will give our players every opportunity to perform at their highest level throughout the season.

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We are also welcoming a familiar face into a new full time position within our football operations team.

At the end of this month, Mark Lockyear will leave his role as Club Secretary. I would like to thank Mark for his contribution during his time with the club and wish him every success for the future.

Replacing Mark will be Steve Foster, a name that will be well known to supporters and many of the players. Steve joins the club on a full time basis in a hybrid role as Head of Football Administration and Full Time Kitman.

As part of our ongoing drive to professionalise as many areas of our football operation as possible, this appointment makes a great deal of sense. Steve brings exceptional attention to detail, significant professional experience and a deep understanding of the club. In addition to taking responsibility for football administration, he will oversee our relationship with Puma and continue leading the kit and equipment operation. Supporters will know Steve as the person who quietly gets things done behind the scenes, and I am delighted that we have been able to bring him into the club on a full time basis.

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Finally, attention is now turning towards pre season and the key dates ahead.

Preparations are well underway and everyone at the club is working hard to ensure we are fully ready for that important opening National League fixture on 8th August. Before then, supporters can look forward to fixture release day on 10th July, which is always one of the most anticipated dates of the summer.