I've just spent the morning at the Vale watching the team train. A few years ago I coached football in California and the head of the company i worked for was a Gwynn Williams (who used to be head of PE at Llanedeyrn High School and a City coach in the 90's). Gwynn has brought an u14 team on tour from San Diego and asked if i could take them to the Vale to watch the team train.
It was a very interesting session with a lot of drills focussed on shooting. The boys looked very sharp, focussed and relaxed. Craig Bellamy in partcular looked very fired up and was even swearing at Martyn Margetson for getting an offside call wrong! The atmosphere in the camp seemed very good which was nice to see. During the session Dave Jones stood on the sideline and at one point Gwynn went to talk to him. Dave was extremely accomodating and invited all of the boys from San Diego to stand closer to the pitch. Say what you like about the man but he could not have been nicer.
I noticed on my way back from the pitches that Michael Chopra was running from the gym to the club house. He certainly didnt look in any pain and from the way he was running I would bet he will be back in the squad very soon.
After training Jay Bothroyd, Bellamy and believe it or not, Gavin Rae, stayed behind to do more work. Those who have doubted Jays commitment in recent months will be pleased about this and he was also working very hard in training. There was certainly no sign of him just turning up, going through the motions, and going home! If anything he was one of the hardest working players !
As we approached the club house I asked Craig Bellamy if he would mind signing some autographs and having some pics with the team as the boys had all come to see him. Again, he was absolutely brilliant with the kids. He stood in the pouring rain for a good ten minutes speaking to the kids about his experiences in football and happily posed for pictures. It was great to see someone like him really take an interest in the kids and he was asking all about them and their team. Having watched him in the premier league over the years, they were in awe of him and have now all gone straight to the club shop to snap up Bellamy shirts. It was a great PR exercise from Bellers and just from him being so polite and approachable I guarantee that these kids will continue to follow Cardiff City from California.
Craig was very forthcoming about his time at Cardiff and the future. Whilst I dont want to reveal too much (it was nothing bad at all by the way!!!) he did say that if the club go up this season they shouldnt spend millions on players and wages but should focus on improving the infrastructure at the club as whilst it is excellent there is still work to do if we are ever going to have the structure and facilities of an established premier league team.
I have to say, seeing Craig speak about the club, and watching the intensity in his training, im proud that he is our captain. If we do get promoted I would want someone born and bred in the City, who loves the Club, to lead us there and we certainly have that in Craig. Whilst this season may not have gone quite as well as he hoped so far I just get the feeling that when it matters, in a big play off game, his desire and talent may just give us that all important edge!
All in all, a fantastic morning where the players and management did themselves proud!!! I have that feel good feeling that we may be alright afterall