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03 july 2001
Back in training - the first few days.

Back in training officially now and I love it. Pre-season is a time of year that every footballer hates and I'm no exception but I also know that after a month it's back into the swing of things and the games start, I can't wait for them.

We started back on Friday 29 June and when we arrived we were told by Goody that we were in for 2 days of testing, the purpose being to keep records on all of us and periodically we will be tested all season so there will be comparisons all through the year.

The first tests we had were the fat test along with being weighed and our height recorded. Measurements are taken with callipers on 4 different parts of the body and then a percentage of your body fat can be worked out. Ideally as a footballer you want to be in single figures but anything under 12% is very good. Height and weight are just routine unless there's a massive gain in weight then it could mean a fine. I was more or less the same weight as last year and keep around the 13st 3 lbs - 13th 5lbs mark all year round.

The next test was the bleep test, one dreaded by many players including myself. Two lines 20 metres apart and the idea is to run back and forth between the two lines hitting the lines on the 'beep' which is on a cassette. The beep gets quicker and quicker and obviously so do we. Around 13.5 was my target and I reached 12.12 (about 8 runs off my aim) so hopefully after some work in the next couple of weeks I will get there. Alan Kimble always does well at this Jobi Mcanuff and Adam Nowland were impressive too both reaching 14 something.

I was looking forward to the afternoon sessions as I'd heard they were sprinting tests, time to get Wayne Gray back for beating me in the season. The sprint tests were 10m, 20m, 30m and 40m timed with professional timing gates. At last I beat Wayne who I thought would be the quickest. Over 10m I was fastest out of everyone, but it was short lived as 20m, 30m and 40m were all won by Lightning, sorry Lionel Morgan with Wu-Tang, Wayne and myself all in hot pursuit. I think I was 3rd in the 20m but 4th in the others around 15 hundredths of a second off the pace but what a quick front line we could have, scare a few defenders out there I'm sure. The next day and 'aching' muscles just isn't the word!

Saturday was agility runs, repeated sprint tests and the 'yo-yo' test. Agility runs are quick turning round cones, alternating, one run turning on your left all the time, then the next, your right. These are timed and with my low sense of gravity I am quick on the turn and did well in these. The repeated sprints were the toughest thing we did over the two days- 40 metres (20m to a cone and back) 6 times, all timed, and you have to go as quick as you can with 5 seconds rest. How quick you go isn't the result Goody is looking for, it's what difference in time there is between your first and last run, and believe me your legs feel like jelly on the last. I was feeling pretty light headed after these I can tell you.

The yo-yo test was next, very similar to the bleep test but there's a 5 second rest after every two runs, quite relative to football with all the stopping and starting. I was a little disappointed with my score on here only reaching 14.8, one of the lowest, so hopefully I'll smash that next time we do it. Again Alan Kimble excelled at this and also Des Byrne and Alex Tapp reached level 17. All-in-all a tough two days so I relaxed Sunday watching the French Grand Prix and getting an early night.

Monday, training consisted more of ball work and circuit training in the afternoon. Jason Euell and Neal Ardley both were present and did the tests they missed at the weekend. Willo, Hughesy, Trond and Kenny all still have time off but will be in next week I think.

On the new signings front nobody new was there but I will keep you all posted on things as they happen. Matt Carbon has been added to the list of potential signings and I know him from my Lincoln Days. A great lad, good in the air and not afraid to put his foot in. He's a ball player and usually plays centre half though has played at left back. It's always hard the first few days back to work things out with who's staying/going/new so I'll be doing a report shortly when we are into the swing of things later this week.

I can tell you we had a long meeting before training with Terry on Monday and we all feel this is our year. Everyone is ready to pull in the same direction and we have a great blend of experience and youth this year. I can't wait to get stuck in to this season.

Gareth.