TWELVE months ago, Matthew Bates and Co were being flogged at Catterick Garrison. Pre-season training for Hartlepool United this time around is a bit different.

Pools have their first friendly of the summer this afternoon at Billingham Town. Tomorrow they head to Tenerife for a seven-day training camp.

Ronnie Moore took them to the army camp last season, where they were tested mentally as much as they were physically. It bonded the welter of new signings, and was a memory they look back on with good memories.

This time, under Craig Hignett, Pools are adopting a more measured approach.

Bates, with a new two-year deal in the bag as a reward for a fine campaign last time out, said: "It is different this year, each to their own, each manager does things differently. I'm not saying there is a right and wrong way.

"The gaffer has a certain way of doing things and you will have managers up and down the country doing different things.

"I much prefer Tenerife for a week's training than an army camp!’’

He added: "But it was good for team spirit the army camp and you could see how well we started in the league. It wasn't just down to that but we were glad we had done it afterwards.

"At the time it was horrendous but we can look back at it now with fond memories. We can tick that one off the list anyway.

"Tenerife will be different and it looks a great facility. Although we are going there it won't be a holiday and there will be no sunbathing.

"The aim is to get us all together, make sure the weather is alright and work hard using the facilities.

"It is a good chance to get to know the new players, we know what the weather will be and we can get a good week's work in without any distractions."

Pools won’t play any friendlies while abroad, and their game at Salford on July 26 has been cancelled.

Hignett will pick two sides at Bedford Terrace today, with 22 players given 45 minutes each. He plans to field a couple of trialists, with former Boro right-back Andre Bennett a possible.

Bates spent a week in France watching the European Championships, he was at the England v Russia game, but admits being back on the Maiden Castle training ground was a welcome return.

He said: "It was nice to be off but after five or six weeks you just want to get back into it and we have had a good start and now we are all looking to kick on.

"The gaffer and Flem have a more modern idea of getting the balls out early and I call it disguised running or disguised hard work because it is a little bit more fun with the balls!

"We will get through it, there will be some niggles here and there but that is part and parcel of pre-season. It is all about getting back into things.

"I am 29 now and have enough pre-seasons under my belt. I know how it goes. You just have to get your head down and grind through it.

"It isn't a race to be the fittest straight away. It is about getting back into the swing of things and being ready for the start of the season.

"You struggle together and help try get others through.

"We will all find our level and fitness levels will pick up. It is not a race, it is not a competition who is fittest at the minute, it is about easing yourself in and being ready.

"The manager has his own ideas how he wants the team to play, to press, and be a high-intensity team.

"His pre-season will be based around getting the lads ready for that."

Admission today is £5 adults and £3 concessions, with ample parking adjacent to the ground and the bar is open all day.