Brentford’s first-team group are in the USA this month for the Premier League Summer Series.
Club ambassador Peter Gilham is part of the travelling party and will be sharing his observations over the course of the two-week tour.
Day 10: Matchday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The morning following the quiz and talk was rife of the fallibilities of those who may have done better and helped their respective teams to a more favourable position.
Concentration is essential when being quizzed, so for one team when the question was asked “In which US State that we have visited during this trip was president Joe Biden born?”, the answer proffered of California was of no assistance whatsoever. The answer is in fact Pennsylvania (with California some 2,715 miles to the west).
I was however impressed that in the music intro’s round, one of the only, if not the only, player to have recognised Edith Piaf’s Non, je ne regrette rien, was Bryan Mbeumo. I suppose the fact that he is French speaking was of some assistance.
Being matchday and a squad of 30 players, the day was split between training for those who would not be playing a major part in the evening’s game, and the normal pre-match approach to a regular matchday.
Come mid-afternoon, it was time for all to head off to the impressive Mercedes-Benz Stadium which is the home to the NFL team Atlanta Falcons. It has a capacity of 73,000, of which close to 70,000 tickets had been sold for the double header that evening.
What an amazing stadium and a first for the club, as the match was played with the roof closed and at a controlled stadium temperature of 71°F. This was opposed to the temperature outside of over 90°F.
Again, you will have read elsewhere a full report so I won’t include a match summary within this offering.
Post-match it was a journey straight to the airport and a flight back to our first location, Washington DC.
Day 11: Downtime in DC
Following the previous day’s exertions, it was a much-needed free morning for everybody followed by the opportunity to participate in one of a number of options: a fishing trip on the world-famous Chesapeake Bay; a visit to the Smithsonian’s highly rated Air and Space Museum; a guided bicycle tour of Washington; a tour of the Arlington National Cemetery; or golf at the Army Navy Country Club.
Needless to say I couldn’t partake in all so I am not best placed to report on all these options. However, I understand those who played golf were as competitive as you would expect whilst had my knees accepted the challenge I know I would have enjoyed the tour of Washington as it was led by head coach Thomas who is au fait with the capital.
I opted for the fishing trip to the beautiful Chesapeake Bay along with six others including young Ji-soo Kim, our recent signing from South Korea.
Ji-soo was one of those who successfully landed one of the two red snappers and two sea bass caught during the four-hour trip. I’ve decided, to save any embarrassment, not to name those who were successful and those who weren’t. Suffice to say I had a brilliant time!
Day 12: Reflections
Our last weekday on tour was to become one of the hottest days thus far with temperatures in the mid-90s. But it was training as per usual with the sessions viewed by a small delegation from NBC (National Broadcasting Company) including Rebecca Lowe who is the lead anchor for NBC and NBC Sports. You may be interested to know that she is also the wife of former Bee Paul Buckle. Also in the party was Robbie Earle.
Having returned from training for lunch there was a chance to relax for a few hours before the players had their debrief on the Brighton match. To be indoors this particular afternoon was a relief as outside the temperature, whilst in the mid-90s, had a real feel of 105°F.
The evening had been set aside for two separate events. Whilst the staff were off to a local winery, the players were off to see a fellow hotel guest, Aubrey Drake Graham, perform. I believe those not as old as me will know how he is better known.
Looking back on what has been the longest pre-season training camp/tour for the club, I can honestly say it has been by far the most rewarding in so many ways.
It’s been my privilege to report via a blog for these past 10 years, and this year has been the most complex by far particularly for those who meticulously planned the logistics of it.
Previously there has only ever been one location to operate from, not three as was the case this year.
Training, from my perspective watching from the sidelines, has been exemplary as indeed has the behaviour and work ethic of everyone present. Plaudits in this respect have been received from all the broadcasters, the Premier League, stadium officials, training ground and hotel staff.
Brentford Football Club, thanks to the opportunity given to them to partake in this Summer Series of matches, has seized the opportunity to promote our brand to a worldwide audience with unqualified success.
These past two weeks have been put to good effect, and in two days’ time we’ll return to the UK with a very good mindset in readiness for the Premier League challenge ahead.