Cramp, sweat and sometimes tears……..

This is the expectation of pre-season for the modern day footballer.

A huge contrast in emotions ranging from excitement to see your colleagues again to the nervousness of not knowing what timed run or aerobic test lies around the corner!

Gone are the days of running until you keel over or are physically sick, the current climate of the game is about speed, strength and being in the best possible condition before the season starts.

Don’t get me wrong, I still know a small minority of managers who still endorse the hill running, boot camp style of pre-season but the morale of the group is seriously put in jeopardy if the work is not enjoyable and specific.

Many clubs such as ours, go as far as monitoring weight and body fat percentage.

This however turns into fuel for the banter fire that burns strong in the dressing room, especially when the results are put on display for all to see.

It can be good, harmless fun but brings out the competitive nature in all of us.

It’s top secret who the Bulls’ fatties are. I’m no grass.

It’s all about gaining an advantage over opponents, that half a percent extra that can win games.

If you ask most footballers what is the most important thing about football the answer is usually the same…… winning.

Everyone wants to win, whether it is for a pub team on a Sunday or Barcelona in the Champions League.

25 years ago a certain Argentinian created the biggest controversial moment ever in football history with “The Hand Of God”.

But later in the same match, he scored one of the greatest World Cup goals ever witnessed. To me, Maradonna showed to all of us that he was willing to win at any cost.

Luis Suarez did the same very recently, handballing a certain goal which ultimately put his team into the semi-finals.

The debate on whether it is cheating or unfair or even genius still goes on.

Football being the only sport in modern times to not have video replays or hawk eye, is what makes the Sunday papers interesting.

Controversy! It’s why pundits are able to talk for hours on radio or television. If the game was black and white there would be no debates, no arguments…..

Wimbledon is well into the swing of things and as I write this, Andy Murray has (most) fans up and down the country willing, praying for him to do well!

I admire the way he copes with the pressure of winning the Grand Slam tournament and I think he is a very misjudged individual with great character. If he wins, it will be an ace achievement! (Sorry, couldn’t resist) Although adored and admired by many, footballers have a different side to what most people see on the pitch.

The off-field personality is completely different and many players are involved in charities, helping out at schools or award presentations.

It keeps your feet firmly pegged down to the ground to go and hand out a 25-metre swimming certificate to a small child grinning like a Cheshire cat, who is more proud of that achievement than anything I have accomplished!

Earlier today, I was at my local park with my daughter when three young boys challenged me to a three-on-one footy match.

Their faces were a picture when they scored the winning goal past me and sent me packing. I tried to explain I was rusty and it was my pre-season but they were having none of it! It’s nice to know that they will have that memory of today and most probably brag about it to their friends at school.

The only memory I can envision at the moment is the deathly beep and robotic voice of the ‘bleep test’ ringing in my ears!