Buxton boss warns players he is 'not messing around' this season

The tough-talker gaffer fired the warning shot following his side’s 0-0 draw with Curzon Ashton at the weekend.

Hayward was delighted with the fighting spirit shown by his players during a feisty contest.

And he has now left his squad in little doubt that he expects the same 100 per cent effort from every player every week.

“It was blood and thunder on Saturday,” he said. “It was like a proper cup tie, played at a frantic pace with tackles flying in and the referee was struggling to get a grip.

"It was just the sort of friendly we were looking for.

“That fight is what I want from my lads so we hit the ground running. That is what I will be demanding.

“The players know what it is like, they have the experience and they know their way around a football pitch - if they start booting us we will hit fire with fire and that is why I have signed these lads.

“I will tell you now if any of them lads, any of them, go under in pre-season they will be out the door faster than they got in - I don’t care who they are this season.

“If I see any lads going under they will be gone. I will not be messing about this year.

“Last year I came into a bombsite with lads and I had to read the riot act when I came in. The team was low in confidence.

“Some of the lads weren’t fit. These lads have been handpicked because they will work hard, if they don’t they will be gone.

“I don’t care who they are, I will get rid of them or send them out on loan or wherever - but they will not be playing for Buxton.

“I will be demanding so much out of these lads. I demand it, I want it and hard work and graft will be the minimum requirement.”

Hayward also signalled his desire to put on a show for the Bucks fans whenever they are allowed back into a stadium.

“We really miss the supporters and appreciate the messages they are sending,” he said,

“The lads are keen to come and watch us and we miss them, they are our 12th man.

“We want to put a show on them every week for them.”