A NEW fitness regime introduced by trainer Tony Penfold has transformed Blakeney's village footballers. And they are going to need all the stamina they can muster if they are to achieve a league and cup double.

The main aim, says manager Steve Oakey, is to win the North Gloucester League division two title. However, The Geo Sandoe Cup would be a welcome bonus.

Oakey is not counting his chickens just yet. But he is confident enough to say that if injuries can be avoided his squad has the capacity to challenge for the double.

"We have always been a useful side and generally play well for about an hour. But since Tony Penfold has been working on fitness things have improved dramatically and they now play for the full 90 minutes. It has made a huge difference," he said.

The decisive win over Longhope was well deserved and set an important marker for Blakeney.

"In the league they are second and we are third, so it was important for us to win. In fact, our goalkeeper never had to make a single save. We have three games in hand over English Bicknor, the league leaders, and we have yet to play them so there are some interesting matches ahead," said Oakey.

Blakeney could also meet Bicknor in the semi-finals of the Sandoe Cup - Bicknor play Soudley in the quarter final next week.

For now Oakey is concentrating on the league and his strong squad of players aged from 16 to 50.

"We have a couple of outstanding older players in Neil James and Brian Morgan both of whom have been playing for Blakeney for well over 20 years and, in my opinion, are now playing as well if not better than they ever did," he said.

And he wants goal-scoring aces Andy Rowles and John Ellison to become even more competitive.

"We let John Ellison get away with a hat-trick against Longhope. Now I want him to repeat the feat in the league," said Oakey.