Peter Gilham's Portugal Diary: Home Away From Home

It’s time for my annual blog (the first of two) from wherever the Bees have decided to prepare for the season ahead.

Years ago I would have been perched on one of the mounds in Richmond Park as the squad were put through their paces, shedding the additional pounds accumulated over the close season.

But times, the club’s fortunes and the players’ fitness have changed and for a third consecutive year, Brentford have plumped for a return to Portugal for pre-season training.

In truth, it was no surprise. The facilities at Cidade do Futebol, home of the Portugal national team and known in English as City of Football, are second to none. The difference this year is that there are no matches, purely training.

The training base is well located and easily accessible from the team’s base in the beautiful resort of Cascais, on Portugal's Estoril Coast.

The training centre is equidistant, give or take a few kilometres, between Cascais and the country’s capital of Lisbon just 30 kilometres away.

I came out late Saturday afternoon, two days after the pre-season camp had begun. The main party arrived late afternoon on Thursday having taken scheduled flights out of Heathrow.

All of the equipment required, which you can well imagine is plentiful, was transported by van a few days in advance whilst a couple of staff headed out ahead of the main party to ensure everything was in place from the outset.

Upon arrival at the hotel there was time to settle in before dinner at 6pm, which was followed by a team meeting at 7pm to brief all and sundry on the plans for the days ahead.

Then to get those joints moving it was time for the players and staff to go for a short walk along the Cascais promenade.

The long travel day was completed with an optional mobility session, the regular medical clinic and snacks. Then to bed in preparation for the first day of training at City of Football.

For the majority of the players and staff, returning to City of Football on Friday morning was like being at home; the surroundings are very familiar which saves valuable time establishing where to go for training, meetings, gym sessions and lunch.

'For the majority of the players and staff, returning to City of Football on Friday morning was like being at home'

It was heartening to again see the club’s branding everywhere.

Once there each morning, everything clicks automatically into a well-tried system. The kit team are out first on the pitches setting up whatever equipment and kit is required for the various sessions.

They are followed by coaching staff who organise the respective training areas.

Meanwhile the medical staff are well set for any pre-training processes whilst the strength and conditioning staff are ready and waiting for the squad to arrive a short while later. As a result of all this, no time is lost and the day’s programme can commence unhindered.

But what of the weather? Well, the temperature is very pleasant and at a similar level as it’s been in the UK over the past few days and certainly not as oppressive as it had been during the heatwaves recently experienced at home.

Rest assured it was challenging enough to just watch, as those on the sidelines could, as opposed to those being put through their paces out on the pitch.

But that’s exactly what a pre-season training camp such as this is all about. Today, Sunday, the players have a double session in store, and I’ll report back on the details of the day in my next blog.

Finally, what of the season ahead? I for one am truly excited. It’s been an eventful close season, during which we have pretty much kept our ever-improving squad intact.

The squad has been bolstered with a very healthy mix of youthful promise and experienced signings.

The camaraderie as the players have returned over the past week or so to Jersey Road, whether it has been from international duty, as a new signing, following the completion of a loan, returning from holiday or being promoted from the B team, has been spontaneous and bodes well for the challenges ahead.

In addition, we have welcomed Damien Duff as first-team assistant coach. Damien brings a wealth of invaluable experience as a player and coach.

If that wasn’t enough, we’ve also had the distinct honour of having four of our players involved in the World Cup (not to mention the reflected glory of having eight former Bees there as well).

What’s not to get excited about?!