Behind the scenes.....Matchday

An interesting feature for a future blog was to do a behind the scenes on a typical matchday at the Vikings. The timing of the blog had to be right, I didnt expect nor want to be behind the scenes when we play in Super League due to the pressure on the team and cause any distractions from a normal matchday routine for the players selected. Players have a set pattern to which they perform their pre-match ritual, A sequence of right sock then left sock, Shorts before shirt, Rub before strapping etc so to have the photographer wandering around the room taking images could have been a total failure. Thankfully Denis agreed to me doing this feature for the Swinton trial game away at the Leigh Sports Village on January 8th. I tried my best to just blend into the background, When lads were doing their certain routine I had to decide wether to comprimise the quality of the images by turning off the camera flash and when was suitable to use the flash. I think and hope I managed to get the quality images and not cause any distraction.

One of the images below does show a little bit of blood. Its nothing gross but some people don't like blood but your warning its the image AFTER the Denis Betts changing room image

1:10pm. Just under 2 hours before kick off and the players kit is already set out by kitman Paul Hansbury and his assistant Rob Samsonsen. Plenty of others muck in to help get things in exact order for the players with their drinks lined up (Notice nearly every players is different to the next) and their GPS sports systems and vests in place so the club can now trace their workrate etc, Im not fully upto speed on the workings of the GPS set up but the science involved now at top level sport is astonishing, Players weight taken pre-match and post match, Urine samples given and heart rate etc monitored throughout the game.

 























1:35pm. The players arrive by team coach. Now were not quite at the premiership footballer level where you see them waltzing in with just a £500 shower bag of smellies and everything provided for them.Our lads do actually unload and carry their own bag and boots

1:45pm. The players now get in their true routine of stretches, massages and getting strapped up before they go out to warm up on the field. The medical staff from doctors to masseurs are run off their feet in a task to give every player the attention they need and also making sure that all players get seen too to enable them to perform.

As this was taken at the Swinton trial game we did have a total of 23 players and about 10 staff (and 1 photographer) the changing rooms became a very cramped place, The kitmen have the duty of filing the official RFL teamsheet out which must be displayed on the changing room doors 1 hour prior to kick off so Paul and Rob take refuge on the team bench. Their job is practically done for now but need to be on hand for any player requests for kit or equipment.

2:10pm. Less than a hour before kick-off and preparation continues before the players go out to warm up and test the pitch. Ben Davies uses the strapping bench for final stretches and Ben Kavanagh relaxes to his music.

2:50pm. And players are now ready, Final words and instructions are given by coach and newly appointed captain Jon Clarke. There is no big speeches, The players know what is expected of them and know how to perform to get the result. This is it......GAME TIME

4:35pm. The smiles tell you the result of the game, A win. This was the teams 2nd trial game ahead of Super League but it was also the 1st game together for many of the players. Yes it was against a lower league opposition who were certainly no pushovers and a team that will be very competitive in the Championship this year.

4:45pm. The team return to the changing room and have de-brief off Denis, Plenty of words of encouragement and very positive atmosphere, A total opposite from pre-match. Earlier there was not much, If any talking, Each individual engrossed in their iPods and set routine. Here we are now chatting, shouting and nearly singing. The new lads have yet to learn the song.

One player missing from the team talk was Danny Craven, Danny and "Mul" collided during the game and to be fair, There was only ever going to be one winner. Danny ended the game coming off early to be stitched up

4:55pm. As the lads get showered and changed and go for post match food Denis has one more job to do, A press conference with various media in a lounge upstairs at the LSV. He does a group question and answer session where a few journos throw questions at Denis and he answers for them to use in their match report. After that he will then do a few one to ones for various radio stations

Well, there we are again, Hope you found it interesting. Hope there isn't too many mistakes in my grammar but I type it as Id say it, I'm not a writer. Please leave comments below and please put a name to them.  ;0)