Boro striker Chris Beardsley writes for The Comet

MANY football fans are of the opinion that the modern day footballer spends most of May and June either lounging around or sunning himself on a beach.

Well maybe that was the case a few years ago but times have changed.

Nowadays players might get a free month where they may be able to fit in a holiday and a bit of rest and relaxation time with the family but the days of eight and nine week breaks are well gone.

For a start there’ll be the players that need operations and the relevant rehab work that goes with getting back to fitness.

Certain players will need x-rays, scans and a specialist’s point of view on injury problems that they’ve probably carried for months.

On top of that, players are expected to carry out specific strength, power and correction work to help prevent the occurrence of any injuries during the forthcoming season.

A lot of players don’t actually stop doing some kind of exercise. As a footballer your body is so use to physical exertions that it craves it, so players find it natural to ‘tick over’.

Then there’s what we call pre pre-season. This is where players are expected to get themselves into suitable condition so come the first day of pre-season they’re ready to go.

During the summer players will be building their fitness levels in all different kinds of ways. I know some players who prefer to swim, others bike then there’s the ones who just prefer to run - and I’m one of them.

You’ll find players doing spinning classes, boxing training and I even know the odd one or two who hire a fitness trainer. Players will try anything to make pre-season training that little bit easier.

Even before the fixtures are announced hours have been spent in the gym preparing the body for the season ahead.

Before now nothing was thought of a player coming back a few pounds overweight as they could run it off in pre-season.

In fact that’s what pre-season is for, isn’t it?

It used to be but the game has moved on; now players would be fined, in some cases huge amounts, if they report back overweight.

Football has made the progression from job to profession. This can be seen by the unbelievable fitness levels of players further down the Football League and into the Conference.

Players are weighed, fat tested and urine tested (to check hydration). All this before even a weight is lifted or a ball has been kicked. The sports scientist is now as important a member of the backroom staff as anyone.

All of this is a knock on effect from the Premier League. The players at the top are unbelievable athletes with fitness levels to match. They have to be, playing 12 months a year.

These players actually don’t get a break and to play at that level with the intensity they do just proves how dedicated and determined these modern day superstars are.

The developments at the top of the game are definitely having a positive impact further down the leagues. Managers, coaches and ultimately players are opening up to the way the modern game is evolving.

Gone are the days of players turning their noses up to new ideas and concepts; to keep up with the modern game you need all the help you can get.

I’m about to embark on my eleventh pre-season.

I might be slightly older and wiser than I was when I did my first back in the summer of 2000 but there is one thing that hasn’t changed.

A good pre-season can make your season.

A bad one and you’re forever playing catch up.