Day 1
Having landed in Amsterdam on Monday 25th July at around 2 o’clock local time, we set out for our hotel in Zutphen. The team were all pleasantly surprised with the facilities at the hotel. With a pool, ping pong table and other activities available, it was safe to say that the team were very happy.
Having settled into our surroundings, we had a training session at the local stadium of SVV Zutphania. Having trained with each other for several weeks, the team chemistry within the group was high. In our first training session, the boys were full of adrenaline and willingness to work well with each other. I’m very confident of us maintaining this attitude throughout the season.
As the captain, my job is made so much easier if everyone is willing to work and die for each other on the pitch. The only disappointment of the day was the foul weather which embraced us. Lashing rain embraced us as we played. With the mood being buoyant we headed back to our hotel to get a good’s night rest.
Day 2
Refreshed after a good night’s sleep, we made a coach journey to Nijmegen Football Club for a Dutch football session.
As soon as we arrived, we were immediately taken back by the quality of the facilities that this top division club had. Both the pitches and the changing rooms were brilliant.
Our training session was taken by one of the youth coaches at Nijmegen Marc Vaessen. Immediately we took to Marc as we respected his methods and way of teaching. After a few passing drills and a keep ball session we ended training having learnt a lot about what the Dutch demand from their footballers.
Day 3
With another Dutch coaching session beckoning, the lads were excited about playing again. This time we played at Nijmegen in the afternoon, so in the morning we trained at the local ground under the guidance of our coach Dave Wates. With some crossing and finishing practice done, we set out towards Nijmegen once again.
Marc took the session once again with the focus being on keeping possession of the ball. Everyone seemed to enjoy the session a lot and I think I can speak on behalf of everyone in saying that we have already learnt so much more on the trip than we expected.
In the evening, I came on a late run to snatch the Wycombe Ten Pin Bowling Championship with an unexpectedly amazing score of 154! I was part of an underestimated team in which everyone scored over 100: James Kelly, Matt Ingram, Ollie Taylor, Ollie Duffy and Lee Wright.
We are now all really looking forward to our match on Friday against top division side Vitesse. Bring it on!
