Smog Academy

Last night Billy and myself accepted an invitation form our old and close friend DP to have a guided tour of Middlesbrough's training ground near Hurworth, Darlington. Due to work committments and pressures, Jim couldn't join us after all despite rearranging his schedule earlier. It was disappointing that he could not be there, but time is money and when you work for yourself you can't led those deadlines slip. Next time Jim. So at 6:30 on the dot Jean rolled up, we waited a little while for Billy to arrive and very kindly got us down there. No need to put herself out but she says she's used to it now so it was no bother. It was much appreciated.

We may be Mackems but we are also football fans and we were not about to turn down an opportunity to visit such a prestigious academy ( now officially most efficient Academy in the premier league when it comes to producing 1st teamers and internationals) and we weren't disappointed.

On driving up to the complex you are immediatley struck by the old buildings which were formerly a hospital belonging to the brotherhood of St John. Now vacant but soon to become a 5 star hotel and conference centre with 18 hole golf course attached.

Driving through the training ground gates there is a sharp contrast between the old and the new. Met at the door by DP he took us upstairs to the players canteen and made me and Billy a coffee. ( nescafe) It was a little strange, walking up the stairs to be confronted by a picture of Emerson celebrating the bullet goal he scored at the Stadium of Light in their 2-1 win a few years ago. It was Merson who got the other, and not sure if it wasn't Bally who scored for us, but I'd need to check.

What immediately strikes you about this building is it's functionality. Most definitely a place of work and their are signs of it all over the place. No obsessions with tidiness, it is clean, but like a family home , lived in. We drank our coffee on the balcony that overlooks the training fields and chatted as we enjoyed the early spring sunshine. DP kept the narrative going like a good tour guide . Going downstairs we were shown all the facilities befitting a club who have just ended their first successful venture in Europe, and are a top half premier league Out fit( Calm Down HH you sound like a smoggie) No expense has been spared and equipment is of the highest quality again in line what these pampered superstars should expect as a minimum standard. They are certainly well looked after.

The allure of the media room proved far too much for Billy and he jumped staright into the hot seat with 888.com behind him proving what a closet smoggie he really is. ( He's been to the MFI too, on hospitality) Wonder if he'd have been as quick if the sign board had said 666 ( the number of the beast)

Photos adorn the walls of the corridors and show academy teams from the time DP took over the running of the place. His intention is to fill the length of the corridor then retire. One particularly nice touch was to see a big group photo of all the academy yera groups on one picture. Quite like a regimental photograph and good to see.

Dressing rooms for the first team squad are enoromous and each player has there own changing area, with Joseph Job's area adorned with a poster of Jameila ( what would Darren Byfield say about that) Mark Viduka had a picture of himself up ( says everything). Table tennis table to play on, and treatment tables to lounge on. Power showers, ice baths, and huge whirlpool baths. Want for nowt.

We were introduced to Gordon Cox who is the webmaster for mfc.com and erstwhile radio commentator. Good strong handshake, you can tell the quality of a man by the power of his handshake, so he must be a good un. Invitation to join us for a beer, when we discovered he lived in Bishop Middleham and thats were we were headed now.

Tour over, it was chauferred to Middleham by Jamie, one of DP's staff and into the Cross Keys for beer and craic. Gordon and his daughter joined us later and we had a canny night. Good craic, good laugh, Good night all round and on to the next one.

I'll post some photos after people have had time to read the blog and you'll get an idea of the 1st class facility it really is.

A BIG THANK YOU TO DP