Iron call on Great Britain fitness guru (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Iron call on Great Britain fitness guru

9:33am Wednesday 1st July 2009

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Braintree Town have put faith in a Great Britain judo coach to help get them in shape for the new season.

Fitness and conditioning consultant David Richardson will put the Iron squad through their paces, in the lead up to the new Blue Square South season.

Richardson, who will assist the British judo squad in the build-up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, previously worked with Braintree manager Robbie Garvey at his former club, Dagenham and Redbridge.

Under Richardson’s guidance, Braintree’s players will take part in exercises against the clock over the coming weeks, in readiness for their opening pre-season fixture against Burnham Ramblers at July 18.

Boss Garvey told the Times: “I hope by the first game that it helps us be on the button.

“But I also want our players to train with a smile on their faces and want to be willing to spend time around the club.”

Garvey’s players reported back for pre-season training last night.

There were a number of new faces on show, with the Braintree squad much changed from last season’s campaign.

While a number of the club’s established players have left the Iron over the summer, boss Garvey has to date made seven new signings.

The latest player to join Braintree is midfielder Jacob Mingle, from Eastbourne Borough.

The 23-year-old has previously played for Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic, along with non-league side Horsham.

“Jacob is a player I have been keen to sign for most of the summer and was one that I was keen to bring in as soon as I heard he’d been made available,” added Garvey.

“He will certainly add quality to our midfield.”

Braintree boss Garvey is pleased with the players he has brought in so far this summer.

Along with Mingle, Braintree have also snapped up Matt Game, Ryan Peters, Adam Bailey-Dennis, Lynvall Duncan, Andrew Howell and George Purcell.

But the likes of Billy Burgess, Louis Riddle and James Hawes have all left Cressing Road.

However, Garvey is confident the players he has brought in will provide plenty of competition for places in the coming campaign.

He added: “If you look at the players we have brought in, they can all play in two or three positions.

“One of the things last year was that it was one-dimensional.

“It means that at different times during a game next season, we can move players around without having to make substitutions if we don’t want to.

“I’m hoping to bring the squad up to 20 and that will give me a chance to change things when players have a dip in form.

“As a player, it’s important that you are looking over your shoulder.”

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