The dread of pre-season training looms large
Hi, hope you are all well.
It might be June, but having reflected on the season that has just passed, the thoughts of professional footballers are now - grudgingly - switching to getting themselves prepared for pre-season training. For most players, those words "pre-season training" are tantamount to an obscenity.
The window of opportunity for abusing your body (in moderation of course!) in terms of the food you eat and in some cases what you drink is becoming smaller each year. The need to maintain your fitness over the close-season is now a necessity as opposed to an option, which some could argue was the case in years gone by.
When I first entered the world of full-time football as a 16-year-old YTS player at Coventry, attitudes in relation to how players look after themselves in the close-season were starting to change.
Disciplined close-season fitness programmes, which are now accepted as the norm at every Football League club, were starting to be introduced primarily at the top level. Such fitness programmes, including those concerning diet, usually follow a similar path. Rest completely for two weeks after the end of the season and then gradually build the workload up so that you are close to peak condition when you return to training.
For present-day professional footballers there is now the added worry of the body-fat testing procedure waiting for you when you report back for pre-season training. The programme that the Notts County players were given had a body-fat percentage target specifically tailored for each player and coming back with a higher one was not to be recommended. If they did exceed this percentage, they were placed in what is known as the "Fat Club", which basically meant that they were subjected to extra training to get back down to their target percentage.
It is the same at a lot of clubs. Indeed, the whole concept of the body-fat testing that is organised at clubs is something that has become more prevalent as I have grown older. Most clubs will carry out the test on a monthly basis and pin up the results on the dressing-room wall, as a kind of a public humiliation!
I personally feel that it has been a great help to me in how I look after my own body. It was after one such body-fat testing session (which had not been administered at my previous club) shortly after I moved to Peterborough that I was shamed into becoming somewhat of a fitness fanatic. I won't say exactly what my body-fat percentage was but suffice to say it was enough to warrant a lifestyle change!.
Personally, my fitness programme for next season is already well under way.
There is no greater motivation for getting up and going on those runs than the need to find a new club and hit the ground running when you eventually get one. Coupled with this is the fact that I have hit my thirties and am intent on proving to the younger players that I am fitter than them. Maybe it could be argued that I am going a bit over the top in that respect, but if it helps me get a club then it will be well worth it.
From a purely selfish point of view, going on these runs also gives me an excuse to get out of the house for a bit. I usually try and coincide the times of my runs with the kids getting ready for school - always a stressful time in our house and good to avoid!.
The main reason clubs now expect their players to come back with an extremely high level of fitness is that it gives them more scope to devote their pre-season training time to honing a team system for the season ahead and working on the technical side of things. This is illustrated by the fact that a lot of clubs now go straight into a degree of ballwork on the first day of pre-season training, or if not on the first day then certainly in the first week. In days gone by the unwritten rule was that you would not even set eyes on a football until the second or third week of your pre-season work..
There is also a greater emphasis on sports science now. For most clubs, the pre-season schedule is now overseen by specialist fitness coaches. When I first started, such figures were few and far between in the industry. Whereas heart-rate monitors are used now to chart every individual's performance levels in running sessions, the main yardstick before was which players were the first to throw up!
Regardless of how many pre-season schedules you have endured one thing never changes - the horrible nervous feeling in the pit of your stomach before the first run. I am sure 99% of players will relate to this. I have not come up with one definitive reason why this is but I think it is a combination of not knowing how fit you are in relation to the other players and also the thought of what awaits you in the coming weeks of pre-season.
My hardest ever pre-season came during my time at Coventry - under my old man - when we went on a tour to St Andrews in Scotland. When we initially found out the location we were quite pleased as we thought a couple of games of golf might be on the agenda. Needless to say we were hopelessly mistaken. Although this took place nearly 10 years ago I can still vividly remember the aching in my thighs as I tried to scramble up yet another sand dune only to see Roland Nillson, who was around 30, storm off into the distance putting us young pups to shame!
Each day, we were split into teams and the team with the worst combined score for the running had to do a forfeit. One forfeit was a run at 7.00 in the morning and then take a dip in the North Sea! When I say dip, the physiotherapist, Stuart Collie was used as a marker, approximately 50 metres out to sea and every member of the losing team had to go round him and back to shore.
Needless to say Mr Collie was not too impressed with the stragglers at the back! Fair play to you Stu!
Some of my previous blogs have encouraged debate on youth football and its positives and negatives. One comment from a reader of the blog has always stuck in my mind. It was along the lines of: "We can all talk about it but nothing will ever get done".
The situation I have found myself in following my release from Notts County and the difficulty in trying to secure a new club has given me the motivation to do something about that by trying to set up my own soccer school.
The idea behind it will be simple - to provide a platform for kids to fall in love with the game and keep them loving it. The disappointment some of these kids have to face at an early age through experiences such as being released from academies at the age of nine and playing under intense pressure from parents is more than enough to make kids become disillusioned with the sport.
My priority, though, is to find a new club and play for as long as I can.
Finally I would like to send my condolences to the family of Dumbarton captain Gordon Lennon who died at the weekend.
Hello, I'm Gavin Strachan. I describe myself as a "journeyman" player after 13 years in the game as a professional. I'm currently between clubs, having been released by Notts County. I'm also studying journalism and the aim of my blog is to provide an insight into the life of a footballer.
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Glad you're still blogging. Good luck finding a new club.
About the soccer school, I would say you have to tell the parents the kids are doing it for THEIR enjoyment and not to try and become professionals as my experience is the reason the parents are so over competitive is that they all think little Johnny will go on and be a pro. The most important thing is that they enjoy physical exercise, next that they enjoy football and keep playing it.
Hope it all goes well for you.
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All the best with finding a new club and also with plans to set up your own Football school. In my opinion there can never be enough of these schools around the country to try to get a good amount of children involved in grass roots football at an early age.
Another good read Gavin as always, glad to see you're still writing entertaining blogs for us!
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Gavin, is it possible for normal people like me to join a pro club just to do the pre season work out? My body fat is ridiculous and id love to lose it and if a month at a pro club can sort my fitness out then id love to do it!
Alternatively, you could write what you do pre season each day in a blog so we can copy...
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You sound like you have a love hate relationship with keeping fit. Stick around for the going to school and give your missus a hand, your kids will thank you for it when they are your age.
As to your school, I am wondering why no one takes the drop outs, the has beens, the never will bes, and give them another chance by showing them how to improve, believe in themselves and get ahead.
Would you do that? I think you might end up uncovering a few gems
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Good luck with the football school. Anything that gets kids running around outside rather than playing on the xbox has got to be good. When I played sport when I was a kid there were too many parents putting pressure on my teammates to do well, and it takes the fun out of it. Kids get enough grief about doing well at school. Sport should be a release for them.
Good luck with finding a new club too. If you fancy dropping a few leagues (okay, many leagues) and playing for my local team Halifax I am sure they would welcome you with open arms! http://www.loserscomesecond.com/
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Great Column Gavin. Good Luck in finding a new club.
Must say I think the soccer academy is a great idea. My son is 7 and has links with 2 academies but personally I think 9 is a bit young for a club to say you arent good enough or you cant play with your friends anymore.
I also manage an Under 7's team so losing my best players to academies is not something I want.
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Love your blog Gavin
why dont you come to bournemouth we need players especially a decent midfielder like you with the experience to help the kids come through.
good luck finding a new club.
are you going to be bloging next season
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Gavin, any news on clubs that might be looking into signing you? Also, how does the process go, do you have an agent or do they come directly to you? I would love to know the process.
RIP Gordon Lennon.
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Hi Gavin,
Have you or the guys at the BBC website given any thoughts to collating all your blogs into a book?
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Hi Gav
Just want to say good luck for the new season as a Notts County fan. In truth you never really became a fans favourite at the lane (mainly because you were injured a lot and the team performed consistently badly so no-one - except Johnno - really became fan favourites, anyway).
However your professional performance in the last game of the season against Wycombe (after you'd been released) shows what a good pro you are!
Best of luck with it all!!!
PS - I take it you've heard the news of our potential takeover. ASSUMING IT GIOES THROUGH, WE'RE OVER THE MOON!!!
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Whilst I appreciate that fitness is important the regimes you describe sound a bit dispiriting. Whatever happened to talent? I accept that for yourself at this stage you may have convince a potential new club you still have a good level of fitness, but for some young kid just starting out surely some skill beats being a couple of pounds over the 'fatness index' or whatever these people call it? If you do start a school for kids Gavin *please* don't try to teach a 10 yr. old the "Cruyff turn" just let them enjoy the game.
RIP Gordon Lennon.
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post 10 . Thanks Jaredw. Fingers crossed the takeover goes through . I always said that Notts County would be the ideal club for someone to invest in and it would be great to see the club progress.
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*May have to convince*
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Hi Gavin,
Good to see that you are still blogging. I have a free period at the moment (a teacher life isn't all work work work!) I was pleased to see your idea of starting a football school (can't bring myself to say soccer) for young kids. I run the 11 -12 year olds football at school and to see their enjoyment, regardless of ability is fantastic. I feel that too much pressure is put on talented youth players and the enjoyment factor seems to take a back seat. I'd be interested to see what happens with your idea and wish it success.
On a personal point of view any tips/routines to get a little fitter for the football season ahead. My club starts pre season training in a few weeks and I don't want to disgrace myself.
Ps: good luck with finding a club, if you fancy league 1 Exeter need a bigger squad!!
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post 8 . Nothing concrete to report at the moment. As for the process , sometimes agents approach players and sometimes it is the other way around . I don`t actually have an agent so I am going down the road of contacting people I know within the game . There is also the list of released players which is distributed to the clubs which I hope will lead to something.
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post 14 . In terms of your 11 - 12 year olds I would not worry too much about getting them in shape . Any fitness work you do want to work on try and make sure it all involves a football . I have always found that 3v3`s etc will help their fitness and also help their football skills .
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Hi Gav,
Great blog as always mate. I'm a qualified coach whos hoping to do my levels 2 and 3 in the next few years, as well as starting a coaching course at uni this september. There are many problems with the youth game, and you have touched on a few e.g. 11-year-olds playing on full size pitches and talented young players losing interest in football because they have been mistreated by a professional club. The main thing at this age should be enjoyment, and at a slightly higher level developing better technique (ball retention, dribbling etc,). The only problem is that the FA (and any other 'old school' coaches) sometimes have their own principles, and are stubborn to change them, but I wish you good luck in the future with the coaching and journalism.
P.S. If you fancy a few pre-season matches come down and play some 6-a-side!
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post 4 . What you suggested is certainly part of the idea I have for the soccer school . It is not to try and find the next Wayne Rooney. The actual ability level of the players will be irrelevent . The idea is for the kids to enjoy playing football , make friends and to enjoy improving their skills .
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post 3 . Not sure what the managers would think of that idea but as for a diary of what the days consist of in pre - season , that sounds like a good idea.
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Gavin,
Just wondering what kind of distances you are running at the moment?
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Hi Gavin,
Here are a few ideas:
1. Soccer school for drop outs seems really cool but would surely attract difficult kids. What a splendid challenge - I'll sell the film rights for you!
2. Can you get a personal partnership with a charity that would make you more attractive to football clubs?
3. Can you promise more BBC exposure for potential clubs? I have looked for the Notts County results since you started writing this blog.
4. Why don't you get your dad to buy Darlington/Luton/Bournemouth/Southampton and convince him to sign you?
5. Why not start a "Pro-footballers Pre-Season Workout" for all us amateurs?
But most of all, keep on blogging. CJ
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Another great blog Gavin.
Pre-season is always a lengthy vital process. Do you think that the inter toto and other Euro Qualifying events help or hinder a clubs fortunes for the season?
I always remember Bobby Robson sighting Newcastle's Inter Toto as a key reason behind the successfull 2003 campaign.
All the best mate.
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dear gavin can you tell us where you buy them ankle socks which prevent the blocvking of blood flow to the foot which eventually causes numbness? cheers m8 and gud luck on finsing a new club
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Hi im a huge daggets fan thaught they had a great season but was a shame not to make the play offs. It's a shame that notts county let you go.the best of luck with finding a new club. I've only just started Reading your blogs & think they're great, it gives you an insight of a pro players life & career. Maybe you could sign for darlo they're short of players good luck
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Well done on mentioning the Dumbarton player Gordon Lennon Gavin... nice touch.. sad loss for a team that was on a high up until recently..
Good luck with your future.. maybe your Dad could help you with your school.. he must be getting sick of the golf course already!!!...
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Gavin, if you fancy semi-pro, Leamington FC have just been promoted to Southern League Premier!! (one below Conf N/S, I know you've never been down there!). I know you know the area having lived around here; your old man was seen pushing the grandkids around town a few months ago!! I'm sure we could afford £200 a week!!!!!!
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Great blog as always Gav!
Agree 100% regarding pre-season, having played at a semi-professional level myself, there is nothing worse than the feeling as everyone is limbering up for that first run!
On your point regarding youth football, there was an article in a sunday paper regarding the sweeping changes that Craig Levein is implementing at Dundee United for the 9-15 year-olds. He commented that the youth of today don't have the level of technical ability i.e passing with both feet, sheilding the ball etc that our European counterparts do. He hoped by spending more time on ball control and related activities and less on competitive games and winning at any costs that Dundee United will reap the benefits in the future by producing more gifted players.
Do you think that he has hit the nail on the head regarding the british youth system and should this sort of system maybe be considered at nationwide level?
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When you were talking about kids staying in love with football, I'm convinced that the key to 'depth and breadth' of participation is having a variety of holistic systems for different kinds of children.
The parameters as I see it are:
1. Skills development vs match-style situations.
2. Competitive focus vs fun-based enjoyment.
3. Intensive coaching vs free play.
I'm sure you can find about 4 - 5 broad different approaches through a 10 year holistic programme from 6 - 16 years old. Whether anyone has formed clear views as to whether you can determine which one will work best for which 6 year old and how easy it is to move between the different systems as you grow up I don't know.
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Great to have you back Gavin
It is interesting to read about preseason rituals in the UK. In America, The NFL may be the closest to it with players reporting back toward the end of July for camp and then preseason games(friendlies). The NFL is over for most teams at the end of December but they begin what they call OTA's (organized team activities)once a month from March to early June. They are supposed to be voluntary but you know that most players attend to not get on the coaches bad side.
In the MLS, which starts at the end of March. The entire league has a camp in Florida from late Feb to about a week before the season. They play each other or Mexican league teams to prepare, then most teams go north to cooler climes to start the season and hope for better weather by May.
One comment on a youth training accademy. I think that the size of the pitch and the ball makes a big difference with young kids. If they are forced to play on a regulation field with a size 5 ball, they spend all the time chasing. Give them a field that is in proportion to their size along with a size 3 or 4 ball (depending on age)and they will concentrate on playing because the environment and the ball won't overwhelm them.
Its like taking a kid fishing for the first time. If he/she can catch some fish and experience the fun, they may keep an interest. If they sit in a boat for hours without a bite, they can get disinterested. Football is much the same way. Let them play at it a while and learn how enjoyable it can be.
I hope you find your team soon and I hope your dad is enjoying his time away from football.
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I've followed your Blogs for some time, really really insightful!
Best of luck on the search for a new club, also although from the blue corner of glasgow real shame about your old man parting ways, we lack enough characters in scottish football!
best of luck
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Post 28. There is no exact science to keeping kids enjoying their football, you just do what they enjoy, and play games that introduce skills they will use subconciously.
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When Harry Redknapp was in charge of Bournemouth, he had a pretty good relationship with Alan Ball at Portsmouth as well as the guys that ran my local football team.
So we would get some of the more.. err.. experienced Bournemouth and Portsmouth players and coaches take charge of our training sessions so we could learn how to do the kind of pre-season the old 2nd Division (now Championship) clubs used.
Both these clubs were implementing the kind of pre-season you talk about, and it did us the world of good. We were fitter and more successful that year and the leaders in our two teams took those training routines to heart. We reproduced them (although a bit scaled down from full pre-season training) after the season started and in following years when those players and coaches weren't available we knew the routines by heart.
So I reckon the idea of creating a personal fitness routine based on football's pre-season is an excellent one (comment #3). Certainly the people I play part time football with now that I live in the US would probably like an upgrade over what I can remember from all those years ago. Just one warning though, as we get older shedding the pounds becomes more difficult, especially if you don't want to cause yourself an injury - so never skip the stretching warmups.
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Thanks for the blog.
Hope your search for a club for this next season is successful.
Appreciate too your sympathies for Gordon Lennon's family. A terrible tragedy and another one that highlights how you footballers are not imune from the pain and troubles the rest of us can suffer.
Sometimes the mad, celebrity lives of the premiership footballers give a gloss which makes you think that they don't have even a toe in the reality of the lives the rest of us lead...
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Gav - head down to Barnet, your old club just pinched our ex captain and centre mid.. Might be a space here for you?
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Just in from work. Great blog once again. Amongst the best out there on any site by far. Hope ure here blogging the next few seasons no matter what ure at. gl
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Good luck finding a club Gavin, I am a Leeds fan so hold your family in very high regard, Also you said in an earlier blog you were fond (a fan?) of Leeds United. So good luck.
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Cheers for the reply Gavin, good luck finding a club mate, top blog, I hope you continue with it next season, it's been very interesting learning about the lower league and it's been great that you take the time to reply to some of the posts. So, you and yer dad going on Job Seekers? Only kidding mate, bad times for the Strachan household in terms of footballing jobs, think it's harsh that Gordon left, he's a funny bloke and he's been very successful at Celtic, some teams just don't know how good they've got it.
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#37 Gordon left on his own terms and in good standing with the board and the vast majority of the Celtic fans.. not many managers get to do that these days... I think 'harsh' is a poor choice of words.
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I have discovered your Blog fairly recently and think its great in terms of getting a view from the real (not rear!) end of professional football.
I have been inspired this year by the likes of Graham Alexander at Burnley, 37 years old and played in every one of their 60 odd games. It just shows if you look after yourself there is no reason why you cant compete in professional football until well into your late 30s your dad was another great example of that. One thing I did wonder about was whether running is the right training for football? Isnt the former more aerobic and the latter more anaerobic? Or in pre-season is it all about building up stamina.
Good luck with finding a new club and the kids football school although at you age perhaps you could coach at your new club when you find one and kill two birdsHow about Morecambe? Im a PNE fan but have been up to Christie Park a few times and it always strikes me as a great little club. The sea air might help your aging lungs? Although, Bournemouth (post 7) might be warmer.
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The balance of teaching/training young children football is very difficult. How do you satisfy the winning ambitions of some players while allowing the others to enjoy practicing skills? Most children who start kicking a football quickly find out if they have a natural skill and therefore enjoy developing their abilities. Some seem to have an early competitive need which is satisfied by 'winning' - anything from '3 and in' to real games. Others seem quite happy to play just to enjoy the game without the ups and downs of winning or losing. Which of these make the better future players? Parental involvement is essential but achieving balance is very difficult - where would Andy Murray be if his parents had not made sacrifices for his tennis? But equally important are the parents whose ambition for their offspring is not matched by their ability and sport becomes an unhappy chore that causes so many youngsters to give up as soon as they are independent of the need for parents taking them to games.
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Great Blog Gavin, good luck with the search and enjoy the training. Just a word about stevo48's comments about kids being to young at the age of 9, I totally agree, my son is 9 and has been to 3 clubs only to be told, too small, not athletic enough? What happened to passing, why is it that having spent the last 2 years at varous clubs that not one coach educates the lads on passing and team play. Gavin if you open up a school please encourage team play and that a pass is as good as being able to kick the ball 50 yards or beat 4 players.
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Best of luck with the new club search.
Something I wanted to pick up on is your comment that you are not looking for the next Wayne Rooney.
I have coached kids football and when I discussed with other coaches what the goal of a kids coach is I always say its to get the kids to enjoy it that they want to come back next week.
My idea is that if you can encourage enough kids to keep playing year after year, you are more likely to come up with a Rooney as its purely a numbers game. Unfortunately I have seen so many walk away from the game in their mid-teens when other distractions come into view.
Also I am not sure that all these individual soccer schools are the way forward. I believe there should be co-ordination with the county FA's as this will provide a system for the kids to climb through and be able to get a good gauge of where they really are.
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Those that consider footballers pre-season training difficult might want to have a look at what Daley Thompson put BBC journalist Tom Fordyce through for his type of training.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tomfordyce/2009/06/welcome_to_the_daley_express.html
Nothing against your training Gavin, I've done plenty of it in my time, but considering athletics is an 'amateur' sport it's amazing how 'professional' the training is!
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Hello, I'm Gavin Strachan and I play for Notts County FC in League Two
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Are you not going to change this pal?
is there anything in the pipeline?
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Nice to see you back Gav been missing the blogs good luck finding a new club. I was just wondering what you thought to some of the big news this week such as Madrid breaking world record transfer with Kaka and Ashleys strange methods of trying to put Newcastle in the shop window. I find it hilarious that they have just put an email address out to make offers to.
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Great blog Gavin! Goodluck in finding a new club, and on the soccer academy that would be great. You can make the parents understand that soccer is a team game which helps to build team spirit in other facets of human life (academics inclusive). Maybe you should come over to Africa (Nigeria) to set up some academies,i can assure you the talents are here and with your experience in the game you can contribute positively to our generation.
Keep the goodwork pal...1
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Great blog as usual.
Get on the phone to Burton Albion, im sure we could do with you in League two! Great stadium, great fans and most of all you'll look lovely in our yellow shirts!
seriously get in touch with them! lol...please!
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Clubs could create a new revenue stream by running fitness programmes, which include some, if however fleeting, involvement of the 1st team. The chance of rubbing shoulders with their hero, and getting a taste of being a footballer, might well motivate people to exercise.
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Good luck with finding a new club Gav. Shame you won't be riding up the leagues with us.
Your professional attitude towards the last match of the season ayt Wycombe cannot have gone unnoticed.
In view of the impending take over, do you not find it strange that Myles Weston hasn't signed a new contract yet. He has already admitted Notts' is the only one on offer.
Doesn't he realise the new owners may withdraw it and say to him
"Listen sonny, you've had long enough, we're just going to buy someone better............and who can score goals."
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Good Blog again Gav. With regards to your soccer schools, I'm currently on the waiting list to do my FA coaching Level 1 & 2 as I'm in the process of starting a school for overweight & obese children only using the same ideas which is helping children have fun & hopefully get fit.
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Hi Gavin always a great read its only a matter of time before you get a new club. have you any tips on pre season training for an over 35s league player?
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This blog is always worth a read.
As someone who set up a youth team in Perth 10 years ago it fills me with dread when I see people talking about under 7's, 9's etc. Our youngest team ever was under 11's and we normally start them at 12's but have football schools for the younger kids. People are starting younger and younger teams to try and get all the tallent but playing at these ages only harms the players. (well thats my view)
Now that your dad is out of the goldfish bowl that is glasgow do you not fancy a stint in the SPL?
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Hi Gavin
I'm a first time reader of your blog and really enjoyed this article. I currently play at grass roots level and would really appreciate any advice you could give on effective pre season training. Maybe a future article?
All the best finding a new club, and thanks for the insight.
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No matter the level of football i have played i dread 'the horrible nervous feeling in the pit of your stomach before the first run'. Although a good pre-season certainly helps give you the best oppertunity at a new club.
I have recently joined Muirkirk Juniors (dreading the pre-season), however, i have been informed that they are looking for an experienced midfielder, offering you two pairs of boots and £5 expenses a game & half time pie??.....failing that, good luck with finding a new club and keep blogging!.
Hope the old man is enjoying the golf and back into football management soon.
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post 52. I think most players who are out of contract have to go wherever the work is and therefore you cant rule anything out.
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post 54. that half time pie might seal the deal!.
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Stop avoiding getting the kids to school and help the wife, you fat lazy stereotype! ;-)
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Good luck with finding a club - and then with first team football. Why did all the Charlton Players end up on the physio's table after every preseason during Curb's reign?
Hope the old man gets back into it soon - preferably with a premiership club to help with my fantasy team!
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Sealed the deal for me to, weekly choice of steak or mince filling was too tempting to turn down, although as they only managed 3 wins and 2 draws previous season, i should probably be concentrating on the football more!
On your topic of youth football, in my experience i felt alot more comfotable playing free play football for my local club Kingsmead East Ayrshire than when i was drafted in by youth set ups such as Ayr United, QOS and Rangers. Although only playing at amateur / junior level now my love for the game has never changed since sarting out at 6 year old, as i feel due to having no pressure placed on me and playing purely for the enjoyment of the game.
Too many youth set ups and parents place unnecessary pressure on kids now to become professional and lose focus of other important careers and paths in life.
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Hi Gavin, Really impressed by the blog. Good luck with your soccer school. I'd be interested to know your thoughts on my own coaching concept. www.theotherfootsoccerschool.com
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Great blog Gavin.
Good luck for the school.
Why not come and play for the mighty Cheltenham Town, newly relegated to league 2, and desperate for players!?
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Great Blog! Pre-season training sounds really grueling and I was laughing my head off imagining a bunch of players swimming about in the north sea at 7am.
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Another excellent blog Gavin.
I think footballers of any level can identify with the dread of pre-season. My manager as a kid back in the 80s devised a program called "The Killer" to get us fit for the first game. Wasn't much fun! I've also played for a pub team where there was no pre-season training, which makes the first game a bit tricky if the other team made the effort to train...
I'd also agree that anything that injects a bit of love of the game in young lads/lasses and a reality check for pushy parents is a good thing. My dad has admitted in later years that he pushed me far too hard when in reality I never stood a chance of making it - Although I was a regular on a sunday I was one of the only players in my club at 15/16 who wasn't signed with a pro club - should have been a clue!!
Anyway good luck finding a club, why not give Stuart McCall at Valley Parade a bell, we're after committed, intelligent players such as yourself....
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Mr Strachan. How are you? If you haven`t guessed who this is by my login name, (large big nose) I'm quite surprised!!!!
Its James Gordon. I have been hearing all about your BBC blog from various people who keep asking if i`ve read it but i`m not the best on a PC as I don`t have enough patients sometimes to even turn it on.
Not to sure who might read this so please get in touch via email at [Personal details removed by Moderator] so we can have a catch up.
Love the hair by the way! I`ve gone like Alan Shearer. Got an island on top and a bald patch at the back.
Hope to hear from you soon mate.
James
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I like to bugle with lemon macademia's. Do you?
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Personally I found pre-season training fantastic and a real test of my character........the tougher the better.
Good luck with the school. We have Schools/Academies popping up all over Western Australia (in maajor cities) and they can only help improve the young guys. However, as well as improving knowledge and technique, the best Schools/Academies also help improve attitude and desire
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post 64 . Hello mate . Great to hear from you . Hope the family is well . Must find a way of catching up properly and as for the login name , you are far too harsh on yourself!.
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Gavin why don't you come dahn our grahnd. We could do with good players like you who work ard to get us back to the Champs. I look forward to seein you've signed to the Addicks soon.
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Really enjoyed your blogs over the last season been very enlighting on how the lower leagues really are now. I played for Kingstonian in the Vauxhall Conf League about 15 years ago and I know that in today teams in that league that I wouldn't be able to play for them because my skills aren't good enough.
The standard has improved considerable in today terms and your blog about pace is very true, I didn't have any and in the end it stopped me from playing.
Good luck with the search for a new club...
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Gavin,
With the shock move of Owen to Man U and his extra medical on his knee, can you tell us exactly what happens in a medical? Are each club different? more stringent as you age or with injuries etc? Just thought a blog ont his would be interesting.
Good luck with your search for a new club, you always gave your best at Posh and we appreciated it!
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Gavin,
I am involved with a club in Scotland and hopefully you would consider a move back North, a relation of yours Ryan has just signed for us and we need not only a player but someone who may be able to take on a media role for the club.
Let me know if this interests you and we can speak confidentially.
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Gavin, how about the big news at Notts County? Gutted u wont be there to be involved in the big bucks & Sven? Or u glad u wont be there worrying about whether there gonna bring in some form of Kaka to replace you?
Hows the hunt for a new club coming along?
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Corby town then, Gav? A non league club gathering a bit of momentum.
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Welcome to little Scotland am sure like playing at Corby Town good set up and a mad bunch of supporters......
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Hi Gavin. Congrats on getting a new club, don't know much about Corby but looking forward to your blogs all about it...
Hopefully the beeb have signed you up again for this season, if not who do we email to complain? Best wishes for the forthcoming season, bring on your next blog... ;-)
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Hey BBC, bring back Gavin Strachan. We want more of his blogs.
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Agree with the above. Bring back Gavin!
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Agree with above WE WANT GAVIN
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Bring back Gavin!
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Yup, I'd agree with the above posts asking for more of Gavin. Especially if, as was written in yesterday's BBC Premiership live text, he is the new manager of Boro...
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