The Youth Team spent the past three days at an outdoor activities centre to help build squad morale ahead of the new season...
The Youth Team spent the past three days at an outdoor activities centre to help build squad morale ahead of the new season.
The players and management visited Dukes Barn in the Peak District and tackled a number of activities which helped bring a togetherness within the group.
Despite a number of difficult challenges, including caving, abseiling, orienteering and canoeing, the visit was hailed a success by Head of Academy Coaching Andy McMillan and he now believes he can take a number of things learnt this week into the new season.
He told the Official Site: "It was excellent to get away from the football environment at Dukes Barn and get the lads all relaxed.
"The lads really bought into it with all the activities. A few were sceptical to begin with, but they all got on with it and did really well.
"It was pretty scary at times! Very high heights, hanging over a bridge. When your up there it's not to bad and then you look down!
"The squad morale has improved because of it and that makes it all worthwhile. The main point of the trip was to get the lads bonding ahead of a tough and busy season."
The Youth Team have one final game before they kick-off the season away at Burton Albion on August 10.
He added: " We are now hoping to bring that togetherness into our final friendly against Peterborough United a week on Saturday.
"It will be another tough test, but I'm hoping that they will all realise that they can't do things on their own now. They must work as a team. You try to abseil on your own and you won't be able to do it, you need a mate to help and support you. The same can be said for football and the other ten players."
clicking here. View the Youth Team's full 2013.14 fixture list by