By Pyc Fitness
©2004-2008
GILLINGHAM¡¯S new backroom staff have blamed the culture at the club as the reason for poor fitness levels and admitted they were shocked at the state of the players¡¯ condition when they arrived.
Manager Mark Stimson fired a broadside, threatening players with an exit from Priestfield if they fail to meet his standards.
The shake-up began last weekend when he dropped senior players Steve Lomas, captain Andrew Crofts, Delroy Facey, Gary Mulligan and David Graham for the visit of Hartlepool United.
When Stimson took over as Gills manager last month, the players were less fit than the squad he left behind at non-league Stevenage Borough, according to new fitness coach Danny Ellis.
Ellis followed Stimson from Stevenage as part of the manager¡¯s plans to change the culture at Gillingham.
After working with Stimson at Grays Athletic and Stevenage, Ellis was surprised at the fitness levels he found when they moved to their first league club.
He said: ¡°The fitness that we required when we were at Grays and Stevenage was phenomenal. Because we came from a Conference background, when you jump two divisions you think it is going to be better - but it is not. At the end of the day, the players are human beings, they have not looked after themselves fitness-wise, so that¡¯s why we are here and we should kick on now.
¡°[At Stevenage] we worked to a higher level. Our fitness regime was a lot higher but that¡¯s not disrespecting the players here, if they have not been shown how to do it that¡¯s not their fault.¡±
To turn the issue around, Ellis is working on improving the players¡¯ base fitness with weights, conditioning and diets. He alluded to the point that the players were not taking on enough fluids ¨C a fundamental part of professional sport.
Once they have reached a satisfactory level, the squad will undergo sessions to improve their sharpness.
Ellis believes attitudes and fitness levels are improving, but warned it will take time before the players are in the sort of shape Stimson demands from his players.
It is hoped the intensive work will start to pay off over the hectic seasonal period. Gills play four games in 12 days and a good run of results could have a dramatic impact on the rest of their season.
Ellis said: ¡°In every team we have been to this has been our time. We are very strong on maintaining fitness through the season ¨C the players become fitter, they recover better and the second half of the season is when we kick on.¡±
The new era has already heralded changes at the club, with a change in personnel and a complete backroom reshuffle with the introduction of assistant manager, Scott Barrett.
The players have been put through their paces this week and Stimson told KoS he was happy with the reaction from his senior players.
Ellis and Stimson have known each other for more than 20 years, playing football together as youngsters. The pair separated when Stimson began his playing career, but reunited more than a decade later when he got his first managerial post, at Grays Athletic.
Ellis, by that stage a personal trainer, started to work on improving the players¡¯ fitness and the duo have worked together ever since.
After training footballers for four years, Ellis is certain his methods work and is in no doubt about how important fitness has become in the modern game.
He said: ¡°It is a bit unorthodox, some of the players wonder why we do it but we know it works, we have done it before ¨C it¡¯s tried and tested. Once you get the players on your side, they start winning games and start feeling fitter and stronger, which will happen without doubt, then you have got a strong team.
¡°I think one of the main aspects of clubs not doing well is their level of fitness. We are getting there but you need to let people like me come in and do their work. Then we blend it with the football so you become a complete athlete, not just a good footballer, and that¡¯s what the sport is turning into now.¡±