The life of a footballer is one of consistently training at least four times a week, a match at the weekend, very few days off and a series of high and low emotions.
So, when the end of the season arrives, it’s imperative that they make the most of some time off. Defender Dan Casey did that as the Irish centre-back jetted off to Portugal days after the final game of the season against St Johnstone.
Holidays with his girlfriend, friends and family all in the space of a few weeks meant it was a busy but enjoyable summer. In 2024, and in the world of Sports Science, a summer schedule has changed for the professional footballer. Gone are the days of consistent nights out and blowing up in size.
It’s now about enjoying the thrills of life but with a taste of fitness alongside.
“We didn’t get a lot of time off,” Dan Casey laughed.
“But we got enough to just relax and refresh. It’s a long and stressful season, with lots of highs and lows along the way so you have to re-charge the batteries.
“You get two weeks to relax and let the body recover but then you’re straight back into it.
“We got told before we left that there was a standard expected for when we returned and that we had a time that we had to make for the pre-season running tests.
“There’s no hiding place. If you don’t do the work, you’re going to get left behind. Credit to everyone, we all came back and did well. Everyone made the time.”
The first day of pre-season is well documented. A day of no footballs and intense testing.
But it’s what sets the precedent for the rest of the season, a base line for the coaching staff to work with. And despite the time in the sun, Casey was rather pleased with how he came back.
“When I came back, I felt good,” Casey stated.
“There was room for improvement, of course there was, but the starting point was good and I think that showed quite early on.
“We had one or two injuries but they’re more football related. It was a tough first week but we got through it together. I made the requested testing time by five seconds. That’ll do me.
“Long distance running isn’t for big men like me, it’s for the skinny midfielders!”
The initial slog of testing can make or break your season. And to get through it, everyone needs to stick together and encourage each other. That’s why it makes the perfect opportunity for all the new boys to embed themselves in their new dressing room.
It’s been a busy start to summer business, with Stuart Kettlewell bringing nine new faces into the team. Once upon a time, Dan Casey was in that position. Stepping off the plane from America as he arrived in North Lanarkshire for the first time.
That was over 18 months ago and as a result, the 26-year-old is one of the more experienced faces in the dressing room.
“I’ve played over 200 games now,” he said.
“I love being here, the people are brilliant and the longer you’re here, the more you get to know the people around the club.
“Now that I’ve been here a while, I need to help the new lads. I know what it’s like coming in as a new boy and it can be hard and daunting at first.
“With the team spirit we have, it’s easy for new players. We just hope they can get comfortable as quickly as possible as that’ll show on the pitch going forward.
“I’ve been impressed with the new signings. It’s been a big turnaround in players and that comes with it’s own challenges. But going away has made that easier, spending so much time in each other’s company. You get familiar with everyone very quickly.
“There’s been a few who are confident, everyone will see soon enough who the loud ones are, I’ll not ruin the surprise.”
But as Motherwell rounded off their pre-season schedule with a 4-2 win over Linlithgow Rose, the focus quickly turned to the competitive action in the Premier Sports Cup. In his first season at Fir Park, Stuart Kettlewell made it clear how much he wanted to win the group and that mentality has remained for this time round.
That approach trickles down to the players and Casey is looking forward to getting started.
“We have things to work on but every team has that at this stage,” Casey added.
“We’re going in the right direction, everyone has bought into what the gaffer and the coaching staff are trying to implement. Edinburgh City are going to be up for it, it’s a competitive fixture so we can’t not be up for it.
“We want a professional approach and performance, a winning start and hopefully we can kick on for the remainder of the group. “There’s a target on your back for being in the top division, all these teams are good and can punish you.
“We won’t let that happen and are focused on not getting distracted or carried away. It’s up to us.”
That target on the back has been a driving factor in Casey’s continuous drive for improvement. The work in the off-season will stand him in good stead but now he just wants to do the talking on the pitch.
“I’m excited to get going, I’m yet to find a player who enjoys pre-season,” he laughed.
“I just want a good season for the team. Everyone has ambitions and my biggest one is, as a team, can we push on from last year?
“You always want to better your previous season, so if I can improve and the team can improve, I’ll be happy. You don’t want to get caught up in the games ahead. That’s when focus can slip on the task at hand. I’ll take everything that comes my way and fingers crossed we can have a good year.”
