Academy column: Only the best preparations for Celtic

I joined the Academy in January 2015 having previously worked for the Scotland FA for around six years as a kit man for the national squad. I was actually interviewed for this job at Liverpool a couple of years ago but never got it, so when it came up again I thought I’d go for it. Luckily enough I was successful and this is an unbelievable job. You really do wake up every morning and you are delighted to come into work. I feel very privileged to work for such as a massive club like Liverpool. The environment that has been created by our Academy director Alex Inglethorpe and his philosophy is just different class. It just amazes me when I see the training sessions every day and the intensity of them and you just think ‘wow!’ I really am privileged to be here and we all have a great working relationship with each other.

I oversee the Academy kit across all levels but I mainly deal with the kit for the U21s. On a daily basis things can change quite frequently. In the past you would be just preparing the kit for training first thing in the morning but now with the sports science involved it has changed to sessions at different times of the day. I tend to arrive at the Academy around 8am and my job is to make sure all the kit is ready for all of the players. I speak to laundry staff to see if there are any issues with the kit and check nothing has gone missing from the previous day.

When it comes to a matchday we have to be meticulously prepared. I will pack the kit usually two or three days before the game, then on the day of the match I’ll speak with Michael Beale and get the squad off him. That allows me and our physio Richie Partridge to go early to the stadium and get the dressing room set up, according to the team selection. Some players are really superstitious and we cater for each individual’s needs. This is Liverpool Football Club and every single player has to embrace that and feel comfortable in that special red kit which everyone knows throughout the world. For example, one of our players always wants a smaller size socks, so we are more than happy to help them out. Throughout the years I have had many unsual requests when it comes to preparing kit for an individual player but those stories will remain in the dressing room! The one thing I don’t take charge of is the music in the dressing room, but judging by some of the tunes they blast out I think we will soon be claiming ownership of the radio!

This Saturday our U21s face Celtic in the Premier League U21 International Cup at Chester FC. Both sides have a tremendous history and affiliation and we have had some family banter flying around this week because my brother Aidan will be in the Celtic squad. A lot of our family are coming down for the game and I’m looking forward to it. I know the Celtic youth coach Tommy McIntyre and he is an absolute gentleman. It is a game our boys are very much looking forward to and it should be an occasion to remember.

Are you planning on going to Chester to cheer on the young Reds? Click here for more information.