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As some of you may know, i'm doing a football academy for the next two years. This will be the thread for my updates. ENJOY!
9th September
Today I start my football academy. I have to sit through boring inductions for maths and BTEC computing but I can’t wait.
It eventually comes to 3:30pm. I recognize some players from the trials and they recognize me so we chat in the changing rooms while we wait for our coach to arrive.
Our coach arrives, tells us some crap and buggers off leaving us with some guy called Pete. From there we exit our changing rooms and head for the field. We take one step outside and we are drenched in rain. Not a good start. We then have to jog to the other side of the field. EASY. But now we have to jog all the way around the field. WHA? Trust me, this field is a VERY BIG FIELD. Anyway we start off with me, Will, Lee and Kieran leading the pack. Then Lee loses momentum and slows down. We get halfway around and Kieran loses speed so it’s now a race between me and will for first place. We leave the others behind as we sprint for the finish line. I used all the strength I had and pushed. YES! I won the race with will just behind. 30 seconds later, the others arrive breathing very heavily. Pete came up to me and asked if will and me were long distance runners. Will was but funnily enough I wasn’t. We get a minute rest and it’s down to some stretches. After 10 minutes of stretches, we moved onwards to some passing. We all made a huge circle and starting passing a ball to each other. Easy enough. Now there was another ball added to make 2 balls. Still easy. Now we had to run the ball to each other. Still easy. Then we had to make 1-2’s with another player and run on to someone else. In fact this passing session was easy, it relaxed us for our next session. We got into 2 teams of 5 and now we had to dribble the ball down a row of cones making sure in go in and out. Basic but tough when the downpour of heavy heavy rain is flooding the field. We made it but now was the sprinting session. Using the same cones, we had to sprint to the first, run back and head the ball, run to the second, run back and head the ball, run to the third, run back and head the ball, run to the fourth, run back and head the ball, run to the fifth, run back and head the ball. Then it was the next player’s turn to sprint to the first, run back and head the ball, run to the second, run back and head the ball, run to the third, run back and head the ball, run to the fourth, run back and head the ball, run to the fifth, run back and head the ball. I was last and did very well. When I sprinted back from the last cone, determined to win, headed the ball as hard as I could and it smacked lee in the nose. WHOOPS. From then on I was Christened JOHN SMITH because of my tendency to AVE IT. We did the same exercise but volleyed the ball instead of heading it. First the right foot and then the left. Now for a game. Using the same group of 5, it was John Smith united versus the other lot. John smith consisted of Michael (me), Will, Kieran, Lee and Josh. I’m not going to spare the details of the match except that I scored the most wonderful goal ever and that I came out with a swollen left foot. Anyway the final score was 10-0 to John Smith united. The game was over and we went back to change. Quite a nice session apart from the rain, rain, rain and swollen foot.
9th September
Today I start my football academy. I have to sit through boring inductions for maths and BTEC computing but I can’t wait.
It eventually comes to 3:30pm. I recognize some players from the trials and they recognize me so we chat in the changing rooms while we wait for our coach to arrive.
Our coach arrives, tells us some crap and buggers off leaving us with some guy called Pete. From there we exit our changing rooms and head for the field. We take one step outside and we are drenched in rain. Not a good start. We then have to jog to the other side of the field. EASY. But now we have to jog all the way around the field. WHA? Trust me, this field is a VERY BIG FIELD. Anyway we start off with me, Will, Lee and Kieran leading the pack. Then Lee loses momentum and slows down. We get halfway around and Kieran loses speed so it’s now a race between me and will for first place. We leave the others behind as we sprint for the finish line. I used all the strength I had and pushed. YES! I won the race with will just behind. 30 seconds later, the others arrive breathing very heavily. Pete came up to me and asked if will and me were long distance runners. Will was but funnily enough I wasn’t. We get a minute rest and it’s down to some stretches. After 10 minutes of stretches, we moved onwards to some passing. We all made a huge circle and starting passing a ball to each other. Easy enough. Now there was another ball added to make 2 balls. Still easy. Now we had to run the ball to each other. Still easy. Then we had to make 1-2’s with another player and run on to someone else. In fact this passing session was easy, it relaxed us for our next session. We got into 2 teams of 5 and now we had to dribble the ball down a row of cones making sure in go in and out. Basic but tough when the downpour of heavy heavy rain is flooding the field. We made it but now was the sprinting session. Using the same cones, we had to sprint to the first, run back and head the ball, run to the second, run back and head the ball, run to the third, run back and head the ball, run to the fourth, run back and head the ball, run to the fifth, run back and head the ball. Then it was the next player’s turn to sprint to the first, run back and head the ball, run to the second, run back and head the ball, run to the third, run back and head the ball, run to the fourth, run back and head the ball, run to the fifth, run back and head the ball. I was last and did very well. When I sprinted back from the last cone, determined to win, headed the ball as hard as I could and it smacked lee in the nose. WHOOPS. From then on I was Christened JOHN SMITH because of my tendency to AVE IT. We did the same exercise but volleyed the ball instead of heading it. First the right foot and then the left. Now for a game. Using the same group of 5, it was John Smith united versus the other lot. John smith consisted of Michael (me), Will, Kieran, Lee and Josh. I’m not going to spare the details of the match except that I scored the most wonderful goal ever and that I came out with a swollen left foot. Anyway the final score was 10-0 to John Smith united. The game was over and we went back to change. Quite a nice session apart from the rain, rain, rain and swollen foot.
25th September
We were all told to be at BAWA by 1:00pm but everyone is here 30 minutes early. It’s obvious we can’t wait so we start our gentle jog followed by stretches. My mother arrives to watch me, NO! Being the only parent there, I was quite embarrassed. Anyway after various passing activities we move on to positioning layout. Since Pete was away we were stuck with the manager of Bristol Rovers women’s team although my sister is now very jealous of me. He shouted a cone and dependent on what position we played, moved to where we thought was the right place to be. We all did quite well with this exercise and then we just relaxed until 2pm.
2pm arrived but no sign of St Brendan’s. Now we just went over tactics again and stored up on fluids. Then at 2:20pm out of nowhere St Brendan’s were on the pitch. The line-up was announced. I was a sub but I had a chat with the coach and said I wanted to be Right-back instead of left back. He agreed with the changes. Then the Ref came over to me and made me linesman for the first half. At least I can say I have linesman experience. Here was the line-up.
Goalkeeper: Chris
Defenders: Alec, Will, Carl, Ellis
Midfields: Roan, Anton, Tom, Rob
Attackers: Chris, someone I don’t know
Subs: Lee, Mike (me) Mohammed
Being a linesman and all, I couldn’t concentrate on the match but more on the last man on my team to distinguish offside. All I can say is the first half was poor. Only Will, Anton, Rob and Chris played well. We ended the half 2-0 down.
The second half and 3 substitutes were made.
Lee-> Guy I don’t know
Mohammed-> Ellis
Mike-> Alec
I had came on has right back and was up for this. I struggled in the first 5 minutes as I came to terms with what I had to do. Once I had been told by Chris the keeper and Carl, our captain, I found my feet and started playing. I made it my personal mission to mark St Brendan’s left back, No.13 with blonde hair, couldn’t miss him. Every time he got the ball, I would attack him and lay it down the wing. Every so often he would turn me but I would quickly react and try to stop his attack. For defensive corners I was positioned on near post and attacking corners I was forced to lay waiting outside the 18-yard box. The second half we played so much better; we had organization in the team. The only thing that let us down was Mohammed Ali. (No kidding) He is this 6 foot 5 kid who couldn’t pass or head the ball away. Mind you, his tackles, when on target, were solid. I was congratulated by my teammates every 5 minutes and I shut Simon up. Simon is the main coach of the whole academy and I hate him. Everybody hates him. Anyway I was running up the right wing lobbing crosses in but to no prevail. 5 minutes to go, Mohammed makes another mistake and St Brendan’s score again. Then St Brendan’s went to attack again when I called offside. It was given but the guy I was marking swore at the ref for listening to me.
20 seconds later and he is booked. Then the whistle goes and I shake as many hands as possible before shrugging off the pitch. The coach was quiet, didn’t hardly say a word. We stored up on our drinks, had a gentle jog down and then got changed. The atmosphere in the changing rooms was good. After all, this was our first match together and our second half performance was brilliant. Everyone was tapping my back saying my performance was blinding so that cheered me up. Then I left, got into my mother’s car and proceeded home. For the whole journey she complained about Mohammed, which I found funny. Now I can’t wait to hear what today’s coach said about me to Pete.
We were all told to be at BAWA by 1:00pm but everyone is here 30 minutes early. It’s obvious we can’t wait so we start our gentle jog followed by stretches. My mother arrives to watch me, NO! Being the only parent there, I was quite embarrassed. Anyway after various passing activities we move on to positioning layout. Since Pete was away we were stuck with the manager of Bristol Rovers women’s team although my sister is now very jealous of me. He shouted a cone and dependent on what position we played, moved to where we thought was the right place to be. We all did quite well with this exercise and then we just relaxed until 2pm.
2pm arrived but no sign of St Brendan’s. Now we just went over tactics again and stored up on fluids. Then at 2:20pm out of nowhere St Brendan’s were on the pitch. The line-up was announced. I was a sub but I had a chat with the coach and said I wanted to be Right-back instead of left back. He agreed with the changes. Then the Ref came over to me and made me linesman for the first half. At least I can say I have linesman experience. Here was the line-up.
Goalkeeper: Chris
Defenders: Alec, Will, Carl, Ellis
Midfields: Roan, Anton, Tom, Rob
Attackers: Chris, someone I don’t know
Subs: Lee, Mike (me) Mohammed
Being a linesman and all, I couldn’t concentrate on the match but more on the last man on my team to distinguish offside. All I can say is the first half was poor. Only Will, Anton, Rob and Chris played well. We ended the half 2-0 down.
The second half and 3 substitutes were made.
Lee-> Guy I don’t know
Mohammed-> Ellis
Mike-> Alec
I had came on has right back and was up for this. I struggled in the first 5 minutes as I came to terms with what I had to do. Once I had been told by Chris the keeper and Carl, our captain, I found my feet and started playing. I made it my personal mission to mark St Brendan’s left back, No.13 with blonde hair, couldn’t miss him. Every time he got the ball, I would attack him and lay it down the wing. Every so often he would turn me but I would quickly react and try to stop his attack. For defensive corners I was positioned on near post and attacking corners I was forced to lay waiting outside the 18-yard box. The second half we played so much better; we had organization in the team. The only thing that let us down was Mohammed Ali. (No kidding) He is this 6 foot 5 kid who couldn’t pass or head the ball away. Mind you, his tackles, when on target, were solid. I was congratulated by my teammates every 5 minutes and I shut Simon up. Simon is the main coach of the whole academy and I hate him. Everybody hates him. Anyway I was running up the right wing lobbing crosses in but to no prevail. 5 minutes to go, Mohammed makes another mistake and St Brendan’s score again. Then St Brendan’s went to attack again when I called offside. It was given but the guy I was marking swore at the ref for listening to me.
20 seconds later and he is booked. Then the whistle goes and I shake as many hands as possible before shrugging off the pitch. The coach was quiet, didn’t hardly say a word. We stored up on our drinks, had a gentle jog down and then got changed. The atmosphere in the changing rooms was good. After all, this was our first match together and our second half performance was brilliant. Everyone was tapping my back saying my performance was blinding so that cheered me up. Then I left, got into my mother’s car and proceeded home. For the whole journey she complained about Mohammed, which I found funny. Now I can’t wait to hear what today’s coach said about me to Pete.
23rd September
Pete is away this week at the world championship’s for something football related. BAWA or world championship’s, what would you choose? Anyway due to this we trained with the A Team. No jokes please :D. Because the B team (my team) have a game Wednesday, this whole session was match practice related. First we done our jog, then our stretches and it was down to football. Greens and oranges versus yellows for 20 minutes. Whistle goes and we’re off, no goalies so defenders (ME) have to work our socks off. I don’t want to bore you with the details (that’s what Wednesday is for :D) but it was 2-2 with 20 seconds to go. Everyone is shouting “go for it” as we have possession. We put neat passes together until the ball is flown to the right wing. Suddenly everyone piles up in the 18-yard box as the ball is crossed in. It dips down, down towards me. UH OH, got to look good in front of the coach. I jump up in the air and twist onto my side, kick the ball with my right foot and watch as it hit’s….THE NET! I win us the game and everyone shouts my nickname. WELL DONE SMITHY!
That set me off for one of my best games ever as next we were up against non-bibs. I had unofficially changed my left back to a run up and down the pitch claiming the ball. And it worked. I set up 6 goals and well as having a header cleared off the line.
This was my day. I wanted more action when the coach said” have a rest, fill up on fluids” So I filled up on fluids and ran back out. Everyone was sat down knackered but I wanted some more playing when I felt a hand on my shoulder. “Hi ya mike, nice play there, are you available for Wednesday as I want you in the starting 11. I’ll play you as left back and see how it goes”. Then another game was started. Filled with excitement as well as Adrenaline, I played the best 30 minutes of my life out there. Shame I couldn’t save it for Wednesday. Kick off at errr some time after 1pm at the BAWA. I know you can’t watch me but 6 hour delayed text coverage will be in this thread and if I had my T-shirt, I could advertise the site. See ya soon.
Pete is away this week at the world championship’s for something football related. BAWA or world championship’s, what would you choose? Anyway due to this we trained with the A Team. No jokes please :D. Because the B team (my team) have a game Wednesday, this whole session was match practice related. First we done our jog, then our stretches and it was down to football. Greens and oranges versus yellows for 20 minutes. Whistle goes and we’re off, no goalies so defenders (ME) have to work our socks off. I don’t want to bore you with the details (that’s what Wednesday is for :D) but it was 2-2 with 20 seconds to go. Everyone is shouting “go for it” as we have possession. We put neat passes together until the ball is flown to the right wing. Suddenly everyone piles up in the 18-yard box as the ball is crossed in. It dips down, down towards me. UH OH, got to look good in front of the coach. I jump up in the air and twist onto my side, kick the ball with my right foot and watch as it hit’s….THE NET! I win us the game and everyone shouts my nickname. WELL DONE SMITHY!
That set me off for one of my best games ever as next we were up against non-bibs. I had unofficially changed my left back to a run up and down the pitch claiming the ball. And it worked. I set up 6 goals and well as having a header cleared off the line.
This was my day. I wanted more action when the coach said” have a rest, fill up on fluids” So I filled up on fluids and ran back out. Everyone was sat down knackered but I wanted some more playing when I felt a hand on my shoulder. “Hi ya mike, nice play there, are you available for Wednesday as I want you in the starting 11. I’ll play you as left back and see how it goes”. Then another game was started. Filled with excitement as well as Adrenaline, I played the best 30 minutes of my life out there. Shame I couldn’t save it for Wednesday. Kick off at errr some time after 1pm at the BAWA. I know you can’t watch me but 6 hour delayed text coverage will be in this thread and if I had my T-shirt, I could advertise the site. See ya soon.
September 11th
We arrive at 1:00pm today just as Bristol Rovers are finishing their training session.
(I never knew they trained at BAWA) Today is an absolute contrast to Monday’s session. The sun is out in full force, which is something we actually don’t want right now. We then go and get changed. I recognize a few like Will, lee and Josh but no Kieran today. Two others are here from yesterday called OHC (he’s black and the name is pronounced like this, not spelt) and ummmmmmm, can’t remember his name although it’s a common name. There is this other guy called Thomas who has done a Roy Keane type effort and gotten so many red cards that he has been suspended for 7 months. Anyway once we are ready, we head for the door leading to the field. WHAT A DAY. The sun is blazing but perhaps too hot for a training session. Just like yesterday we start off with our lap around the field. Will sprints off like mad while the rest of us take a steady jog. We get halfway around the field when I decided to sprint after will. Will was so far ahead it was unbelievable but I was determined to catch him up. We were heading towards the end and will was in grasping reach when he started sprinting. We went head to head with everyone else still trailing behind. However at the last straight he seemed to get faster. We finished and he had won but my god, he is fast. 20 seconds later, the others catch up with us. The heat is already getting to us so we all run to the changing rooms and stock up on fluids, i.e. tap water.
When we came back, about 60 cones were laid out in a 6 by 10 square. We were told to run to a cone then change direction and run to a different cone. This was quite easy but then for our next exercise we had to jog to one cone, and then sprint to the next. This tired us all out slightly until our next exercise was to jog to one cone, sprint through 2 cones. By the end of this we were all sat down, trying to claim as much oxygen as possible, but we were nowhere near finished yet. Now it was jog to one cone, sprint through 3 cones. Then we moved straight onto dribbling wit the ball through cones. Normal dribbling to each cone, which was really slow for everyone due to the following exercises. Then the pace notched itself up again as we had to jog with the ball to 1 cone and then sprint with the ball to 1 cone. It then moved itself up to sprinting to 2 cones and then 3 cones. By the end of this we were collapsed on the floor to say the least. We were so desperate for a rest but were ordered to get on with the next exercise. The cones had now been made into a 5 by 5 square and our next exercise was to jog around the square. We didn’t mind because we would rather jog than sprint. We were doing fine until we had to sprint 1 side. Fair enough on us so we jogged the square again and then we had to sprint 2 sides. NOT AGAIN. We done that and than had to sprint 3 sides. After the 3 sides lee, Thomas and me walked the 4-side sprint. Pete than ordered us to sprint the 4 sides so with a burst of adrenaline I sprinted as fast as I could around the square. Then we worked ourselves down again with us sprinting 3 sides, 2 sides and than 1 side. As soon as we finished the sprinting we all heading for the changing rooms for more tap water. I must have stocked up on 5 pints. We came back out to a 5 a side game. Me, lee, will, josh and someone else were the defending team and the others were the attacking team. Just like yesterday we went 2-0 up after about 30 seconds so Pete ordered us to defend and defend only, which meant no attacking. We coped quite well with us withstanding all types of attack. Eventually thought they got 2 goals back so it turned into next goal wins. Out of nowhere Lee shot and it went flying in. We win again. We then finished the session off with some stretches same as yesterday. We then also had a jog down which relieved us all because it was the finish of the session. Luckily for me I only live about half a mile from the training pitch but walking home took me well over 20 minutes. As I end this day’s description, think of me and the other poor souls that put up with this training just to play football and especially the others that live as far as 6 miles away coming here for this. In the word of Flanders, TA TA FOR NOW!
We arrive at 1:00pm today just as Bristol Rovers are finishing their training session.
(I never knew they trained at BAWA) Today is an absolute contrast to Monday’s session. The sun is out in full force, which is something we actually don’t want right now. We then go and get changed. I recognize a few like Will, lee and Josh but no Kieran today. Two others are here from yesterday called OHC (he’s black and the name is pronounced like this, not spelt) and ummmmmmm, can’t remember his name although it’s a common name. There is this other guy called Thomas who has done a Roy Keane type effort and gotten so many red cards that he has been suspended for 7 months. Anyway once we are ready, we head for the door leading to the field. WHAT A DAY. The sun is blazing but perhaps too hot for a training session. Just like yesterday we start off with our lap around the field. Will sprints off like mad while the rest of us take a steady jog. We get halfway around the field when I decided to sprint after will. Will was so far ahead it was unbelievable but I was determined to catch him up. We were heading towards the end and will was in grasping reach when he started sprinting. We went head to head with everyone else still trailing behind. However at the last straight he seemed to get faster. We finished and he had won but my god, he is fast. 20 seconds later, the others catch up with us. The heat is already getting to us so we all run to the changing rooms and stock up on fluids, i.e. tap water.
When we came back, about 60 cones were laid out in a 6 by 10 square. We were told to run to a cone then change direction and run to a different cone. This was quite easy but then for our next exercise we had to jog to one cone, and then sprint to the next. This tired us all out slightly until our next exercise was to jog to one cone, sprint through 2 cones. By the end of this we were all sat down, trying to claim as much oxygen as possible, but we were nowhere near finished yet. Now it was jog to one cone, sprint through 3 cones. Then we moved straight onto dribbling wit the ball through cones. Normal dribbling to each cone, which was really slow for everyone due to the following exercises. Then the pace notched itself up again as we had to jog with the ball to 1 cone and then sprint with the ball to 1 cone. It then moved itself up to sprinting to 2 cones and then 3 cones. By the end of this we were collapsed on the floor to say the least. We were so desperate for a rest but were ordered to get on with the next exercise. The cones had now been made into a 5 by 5 square and our next exercise was to jog around the square. We didn’t mind because we would rather jog than sprint. We were doing fine until we had to sprint 1 side. Fair enough on us so we jogged the square again and then we had to sprint 2 sides. NOT AGAIN. We done that and than had to sprint 3 sides. After the 3 sides lee, Thomas and me walked the 4-side sprint. Pete than ordered us to sprint the 4 sides so with a burst of adrenaline I sprinted as fast as I could around the square. Then we worked ourselves down again with us sprinting 3 sides, 2 sides and than 1 side. As soon as we finished the sprinting we all heading for the changing rooms for more tap water. I must have stocked up on 5 pints. We came back out to a 5 a side game. Me, lee, will, josh and someone else were the defending team and the others were the attacking team. Just like yesterday we went 2-0 up after about 30 seconds so Pete ordered us to defend and defend only, which meant no attacking. We coped quite well with us withstanding all types of attack. Eventually thought they got 2 goals back so it turned into next goal wins. Out of nowhere Lee shot and it went flying in. We win again. We then finished the session off with some stretches same as yesterday. We then also had a jog down which relieved us all because it was the finish of the session. Luckily for me I only live about half a mile from the training pitch but walking home took me well over 20 minutes. As I end this day’s description, think of me and the other poor souls that put up with this training just to play football and especially the others that live as far as 6 miles away coming here for this. In the word of Flanders, TA TA FOR NOW!
As some of you may know, i'm doing a football academy for the next two years. This will be the thread for my updates. ENJOY!
9th September
Today I start my football academy. I have to sit through boring inductions for maths and BTEC computing but I can’t wait.
It eventually comes to 3:30pm. I recognize some players from the trials and they recognize me so we chat in the changing rooms while we wait for our coach to arrive.
Our coach arrives, tells us some crap and buggers off leaving us with some guy called Pete. From there we exit our changing rooms and head for the field. We take one step outside and we are drenched in rain. Not a good start. We then have to jog to the other side of the field. EASY. But now we have to jog all the way around the field. WHA? Trust me, this field is a VERY BIG FIELD. Anyway we start off with me, Will, Lee and Kieran leading the pack. Then Lee loses momentum and slows down. We get halfway around and Kieran loses speed so it’s now a race between me and will for first place. We leave the others behind as we sprint for the finish line. I used all the strength I had and pushed. YES! I won the race with will just behind. 30 seconds later, the others arrive breathing very heavily. Pete came up to me and asked if will and me were long distance runners. Will was but funnily enough I wasn’t. We get a minute rest and it’s down to some stretches. After 10 minutes of stretches, we moved onwards to some passing. We all made a huge circle and starting passing a ball to each other. Easy enough. Now there was another ball added to make 2 balls. Still easy. Now we had to run the ball to each other. Still easy. Then we had to make 1-2’s with another player and run on to someone else. In fact this passing session was easy, it relaxed us for our next session. We got into 2 teams of 5 and now we had to dribble the ball down a row of cones making sure in go in and out. Basic but tough when the downpour of heavy heavy rain is flooding the field. We made it but now was the sprinting session. Using the same cones, we had to sprint to the first, run back and head the ball, run to the second, run back and head the ball, run to the third, run back and head the ball, run to the fourth, run back and head the ball, run to the fifth, run back and head the ball. Then it was the next player’s turn to sprint to the first, run back and head the ball, run to the second, run back and head the ball, run to the third, run back and head the ball, run to the fourth, run back and head the ball, run to the fifth, run back and head the ball. I was last and did very well. When I sprinted back from the last cone, determined to win, headed the ball as hard as I could and it smacked lee in the nose. WHOOPS. From then on I was Christened JOHN SMITH because of my tendency to AVE IT. We did the same exercise but volleyed the ball instead of heading it. First the right foot and then the left. Now for a game. Using the same group of 5, it was John Smith united versus the other lot. John smith consisted of Michael (me), Will, Kieran, Lee and Josh. I’m not going to spare the details of the match except that I scored the most wonderful goal ever and that I came out with a swollen left foot. Anyway the final score was 10-0 to John Smith united. The game was over and we went back to change. Quite a nice session apart from the rain, rain, rain and swollen foot.
9th September
Today I start my football academy. I have to sit through boring inductions for maths and BTEC computing but I can’t wait.
It eventually comes to 3:30pm. I recognize some players from the trials and they recognize me so we chat in the changing rooms while we wait for our coach to arrive.
Our coach arrives, tells us some crap and buggers off leaving us with some guy called Pete. From there we exit our changing rooms and head for the field. We take one step outside and we are drenched in rain. Not a good start. We then have to jog to the other side of the field. EASY. But now we have to jog all the way around the field. WHA? Trust me, this field is a VERY BIG FIELD. Anyway we start off with me, Will, Lee and Kieran leading the pack. Then Lee loses momentum and slows down. We get halfway around and Kieran loses speed so it’s now a race between me and will for first place. We leave the others behind as we sprint for the finish line. I used all the strength I had and pushed. YES! I won the race with will just behind. 30 seconds later, the others arrive breathing very heavily. Pete came up to me and asked if will and me were long distance runners. Will was but funnily enough I wasn’t. We get a minute rest and it’s down to some stretches. After 10 minutes of stretches, we moved onwards to some passing. We all made a huge circle and starting passing a ball to each other. Easy enough. Now there was another ball added to make 2 balls. Still easy. Now we had to run the ball to each other. Still easy. Then we had to make 1-2’s with another player and run on to someone else. In fact this passing session was easy, it relaxed us for our next session. We got into 2 teams of 5 and now we had to dribble the ball down a row of cones making sure in go in and out. Basic but tough when the downpour of heavy heavy rain is flooding the field. We made it but now was the sprinting session. Using the same cones, we had to sprint to the first, run back and head the ball, run to the second, run back and head the ball, run to the third, run back and head the ball, run to the fourth, run back and head the ball, run to the fifth, run back and head the ball. Then it was the next player’s turn to sprint to the first, run back and head the ball, run to the second, run back and head the ball, run to the third, run back and head the ball, run to the fourth, run back and head the ball, run to the fifth, run back and head the ball. I was last and did very well. When I sprinted back from the last cone, determined to win, headed the ball as hard as I could and it smacked lee in the nose. WHOOPS. From then on I was Christened JOHN SMITH because of my tendency to AVE IT. We did the same exercise but volleyed the ball instead of heading it. First the right foot and then the left. Now for a game. Using the same group of 5, it was John Smith united versus the other lot. John smith consisted of Michael (me), Will, Kieran, Lee and Josh. I’m not going to spare the details of the match except that I scored the most wonderful goal ever and that I came out with a swollen left foot. Anyway the final score was 10-0 to John Smith united. The game was over and we went back to change. Quite a nice session apart from the rain, rain, rain and swollen foot.