Day Three, Sunday, and after breakfast it was a chance for the medical team of Neil Greig and Daryl Martin to assess the players after yesterday`s match versus Meuselwitz. Few problems to speak of apart from a couple of slight knocks which a bit of treatment and a large dose of care and attention will soon put right.
Then it was a short walk to the excellent training facilities provided by this first class sports training facility known as Landessportschule Bad Blankenberg. I should hasten to add that the word Bad in German translates to Spa in English. I wouldn`t want you thinking that this facility has a bad awful reputation.
It was quite a testing session which had been put together with precision by the coaching and fitness staff the previous day.
Then after lunch there was an opportunity for the players to relax for a while before they visited the swimming pool and the gym for more exercise.
7.30pm saw the players meet up again where they were addressed by both Uwe and Alan Kernighan as they looked back on the previous day`s performance prior to dinner.
It was then that the real entertainment started…it was partial karaoke time again.
Now before I go any further, and to try and avert the possibility of any legal action, I should point out that the number that Tony Craig "sung" yesterday was not (as reported by me in my previous blog) "I Wish I Could Fly" but "I Believe I Can Fly". Now one was record by R Kelly the American singer/song writer and record producer whilst the other was recorded by Keith Harris and Orville the Duck. As it happens Tony did a brilliant impersonation of both recording artistes whilst giving us his own unique version of the latter which covered for my initial error.
So to today`s offerings. There were six in total which were kicked off by Harlee Dean and his rendition of last year`s hit "We Are Young" originally performed by Fun featuring Janelle Monae. An interesting version which received rapturous albeit sympathetic applause. Then it was Stuart Dallas`s opportunity to fly the Irish flag as he pitched in with Kenny Rogers 1978 hit "The Gambler". Against the odds his offering was also well received. Adam Forshaw was next up to stand on the chair and he gave us a version of Van Morrison`s "Brown Eyed Girl". It was indeed a version and he almost apologetically stepped down mid song.
Our new signing, Moroccan Farid El Alagui then stepped up onto the "performing"chair (I don`t mean by that, that the chair did anything special other than offer a platform for each of the karoakers) and he "sung" what was presumably a Moroccan favourite which whilst unknown to the captive audience was accompanied by a special dance routine which received rapturous applause.
Farid was followed by newly appointed Assistant Manager Alan Kernighan who gave us his version of Barry Manilow performing "Copacabana". Fortunately everyone knew the chorus to help Alan through his (and our) ordeal.
The new First Team Physio Daryl Martin was then surprised to be asked to celebrate his first Brentford pre season training camp by singing a number of his choice. In fact he was so surprised to be asked that he almost dropped the bit of paper he had written the words of the song he was going to sing! He chose Oasis`s 1994 hit "Live Forever". Oasis are no longer performing their songs and it is deemed highly unlikely that Daryl will either.
Finally it was Mark Fuller, the Club`s official photographer who was the last person chosen to perform. Whether or not that had been predetermined I don`t know but it seemed a very good idea to me. Mark brought the show to a close with "The Girl From Ipanema" and I think it`s fair to say Mark`s rendition could close any show…permanently.
The evening was still not over as the management, coaching, fitness and medical team sat down at 10pm and went through with detailed precision the condition of each of the players and then set out the training programme for tomorrow, Monday.
And so another long, interesting and testing day drew to a close as Brentford Football Club prepare for the forthcoming 2012/13 season.
Peter Gilham