As suggested in yesterday's Blog, it was an early start this morning. Fortunately it was a glorious sunny morning when I stepped out at 6.10 precisely. A slight early morning chill in the air but one that could move you to sing Oh what a beautiful morning from Oklahoma. But we've had more than our fair share of singing over the past two nights so I proceeded silently to the training pitches. I was the first there so I did my own pre-season training alone - a few circuits of the pitch in a nice leisurely stroll.
Come 6.30 and the staff members were arriving carrying any number of items from the gym which would be used to make up a special circuit for the players, slightly more testing than my own. The staff had been emailed by Chris Haslam late the previous evening, advising them of the early call and a map of the circuit. For the ensuing half hour the items were set out around the pitch before Dean and Chris explained in detail the whys and wherefores of the challenge.
Come 7am, the players arrived, as did a crew from Sky TV to record the event, and a draw determined which two players were paired with which member of staff as an onlooker. The map below details the course which each pair had to complete with the first two pairs home having the pleasure of being served lunch and dinner by the last two pairs home.
You can imagine the rivalry between the pairs which was equally matched by the rivalry between the onlookers. Without embarrassing anyone, as the stewards enquiry will no doubt last long into the night, I won't mention the last two pairs home. But the winning pair were Dan Bentley and Lewis MacLeod, followed closely by John Egan and Josh McEachran. After a well earned breakfast it was the regular medical prep, warm up and all that that entails prior to the regular training session, which has to be said, no two days sessions are the same.
After lunch, and while the players were having a well deserved break, the staff decided to have a seven a side match, or two! The Blues (Mark Chapman, Richard O'Kelly, Simon Royce, Dean Smith, Matt King, Bob Oteng and Nicolas Jover) won the first game by 10 goals to 6, whilst the Reds (Sean Ridley, Tom Perryman, Luke Stopforth, Richard Clark, Chris Haslam, Neil Greig, Daryl Martin) secured a last second equaliser to make it 3-3 in the second game. Chris, Nicolas, Matt and Roycie all scored hat tricks with most others contributing along the line.
It was a pulsating and enthralling game of end to action, with thrills and spills galore, with goals to grace any stadium. (this last sentence was generously sponsored by the off field team at Brentford FC). The game was watched by an international attendance of three: Andreas Bjelland, Maxime Colin and myself.
Later in the afternoon there was an analysis session when the players were introduced to Thomas Gronnemark, who is the world record holder for the longest ever football throw in, which he set in 2010 with a distance of 51.33 metres. Over on the Training Pitch, after the regular warm up, Thomas took the session to help aid the players with their long throwing techniques. Some were naturals and indeed with Thomas' expertise were able to improve the distance. Others not so. But on completion of the session, the staff had a go and Bob, with his first throw, eclipsed everybody else with a throw of 31.60 metres. Plans are now in hand to get Bob registered in time for the new season.
All that was left now was dinner and free time for the players and staff to relax after a long day and in preparation for match day tomorrow.
And so to bed.