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THE LIONS ARE BACK AT HEYWOOD ROAD!

01 March 2021

After exactly one year and one week, the Lions finally returned to the Heywood Road turf at the weekend!

Against the back-drop of a full-scale training exercise, the Lions fielded their full 2021 squad in an internal Blues versus Whites game consisting of three periods of 25 minutes.

Head Coach Stuart Littler was delighted to see his team back on the field. He said “It was great to be back doing what we all love to do. The sun was shining and today’s session proved there is light at the end of the tunnel. We can now have huge optimism about the future in front of us.

“Everything ran smoothly and it was great to see the boys back out in some in-house competitive action, even it was just a training exercise. We now move into a game week scenario with footage to review and stats to compile, but most of all with opposition to prepare for!

“We will assess the learning points from the exercise and move forward together. Massive credit must go to our medical team and Board who are ensuring that we meet all of the extensive Covid protocol, so that we create an environment that is as safe as possible for all of our playing squad and staff.”

Operations Director Steve Wild added, “It’s been a long and complicated road to get to the stage where we could hold the training exercise yesterday, but it couldn’t have happened without the enthusiasm and professionalism of all our staff and volunteers. We have also had tremendous support from our friends at Sale FC, who already possess the invaluable experience of playing Behind Closed Doors games at Heywood Road.

“The exercise at the weekend was not just a significant step-forward for Stuart and his players and staff in preparing for a full return to action, it was also a key off-field exercise as we prepare for our first Behind Closed Doors action against Newcastle Thunder on 21 March. The Covid rules and regulations are understandably lengthy and complex, so therefore to have a dry-run was extremely useful. Happily the day went well both on and off the pitch, with no major glitches.

“It was fantastic to see the lads out on the pitch after such a long and enforced break, and hopefully it won’t be too long before we can open the gates and welcome back all of our friends and partners.”

Swinton Lions versus Newcastle Thunder on 21st March, kick-off 5.15pm, is available to purchase now for the Early Bird price of just £4.95 (£10 on the day).

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