Life in the Boot Camp

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 02/07/2005

DETAILS of Grimsby's pre-season "boot camp" week have emerged today, which begins on Sunday. The Mariners' squad are heading off to Waterbeach station army base in Cambridgeshire, where they will follow the same regime which new recruits to the forces have to go through when they first arrive.

The day starts at around 5.30am with morning drill, and is followed by gruelling exercise sessions under the instructions of seasoned paratroopers. The squad will also have to take park in teamwork exercises to help them bond as a unit.

Town manager Russell Slade is hoping that the new fitness regime, used for the first time in Grimsby's history, will help the Mariners avoid their normal languid start to the season. "It will be tough but it's all about being ready and in shape for the start of the season", the Town boss told the Grimsby Telegraph.

"The activities have been designed to also get the team working together, as well as the fitness training and it will be good for the new lads to get to know everyone," added Slade.

The squad will be joined by two unknown foreign trialists, who are believed to be based in France. The club are keeping tight-lipped about their exact identity but it is understood that another trialist, Senegal international Makhtar N'Diaye, has returned to Rennes to sort his fitness out, along with Jean-Paul Kamudimba.

Algerian Ben Haddou is another name who have been linked with the Mariners, but this has not been confirmed.

Full Squad List
Full Fixture List

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