Eight-and-a-half weeks after lifting a record-breaking third Conference title at The Hive, Barnet begin their pre-season preparations with a rather more low-key affair on Saturday.

Southern League Premier Division outfit Hungerford Town provide the Bees’ first pre-season opponents (kick-off 3pm) as Martin Allen’s men get ready to make their mark on League Two after two years away.

The players returned to training at The Hive on Wednesday and will go into the game against their Berkshire opponents with only a few days’ preparation under their belts, meaning in all likelihood, no-one will play more than 45 minutes.

And the game will provide Bees supporters with their first opportunity to see Allen’s five new summer signings – Gavin Hoyte, Bira Dembele, Tom Champion, Ben Tomlinson and Kevin Lisbie – in action with the big kick-off little over a month away.

Speaking to the club website, player-coach Graham Stack underlined the importance of pre-season run-outs.

He said: “These games are vitally important, it is about performance and fitness levels. It will be nice to have a run out, get back out there and get the ball moving to try and improve technically and physically as the weeks go by.”

The 33-year-old gloveman was speaking after the first day back at training and shed some light on the mantra around The Hive.

Stack explained: “Last season that positivity was something that we tried to carry in every session that we had. It is very much about the team and not about individuals and as you saw again today is going to be the case again.

“It is very important to have a group that is supportive and helping one another throughout.

“We have got a lively group with a few big characters in there and some experienced players and some younger ones as well. Judging by what I have seen out there we have got a great blend and I think that they will complement each other well,” he enthused.

Hungerford finished fourth in the Southern Premier Division last season, step three of non-league football and on a par with the Isthmian and Northern Premier Divisions.

Managed by former Reading pro Bobby Wilkinson, the Crusaders missed out on promotion to the re-branded National League South after losing out to eventual play-off winners Truro City at the semi-final stage.