It is a very rare occurrence, a full-time footballer also being a full-time kit man. Not only do I have to concentrate on a match day from a playing perspective, I also have to make sure all the lads kit is right as well as sorting out all the match balls etc. So as well as playing here would be my schedule from a home Saturday match day:
Breakfast: 9:00am
Breakfast for me is always the same. 4 weetabix and a banana and that is no different on match day.
Shower: 11:00am
Shower and do my hair as a ritual every Saturday. First season where I have done my hair for every game I play in. After a good goal scoring season that will be continued in the coming seasons.
Pre-Match Meal: 12:00pm
Just like breakfast, pre-match is always the same. 4 scrambled eggs on toast and always 3 hours before kick-off. Certain people differ but I like to feel full-up when I am playing football.
Arrive At Stadium: 12:30pm
Arrive and sort out all the lads match day kit. Match shirts hung up with match shorts and socks. Certain players wear different size shorts so remembering who wears what is always a challenge. Warm-up t-shirts and jumpers lay ready with different sizes for each individual player. Match balls pumped up, warm-up cones and bibs sorted. Water bottles filled up.
Warm-Up: 2:15pm
Out for a warm-up 45 minutes before kick-off. All my kit man duties done this is when my concentration fully switches to being a player. After the warm-up I leave a bag out for all the lads to put warm-up t-shirts and jumpers in. Normally all very good and help me out so I am not racing round and picking things up before kick-off.
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Kit man duties aside it’s all about doing my best for the team as a player.
Post-Match: 4:45pm
After the game it is all about getting all the lads match kit in. Normally again all very helpful and put it away themselves, although you always get one or two who just leave it on the floor in front of them. Substitute jackets and coats put in a big bag, get showered and changed and head up to the corporate area for post-match awards and some food.
Monday Morning: 9:00am
Gateshead don’t have the facilities to wash the match day kit. On a Monday morning I head to the local launderette with all the dirty attire and they wash and dry it all. with a two-day turnaround I will be back at the launderette to collect it.
My match day is totally different to a normal players with the jobs I have to do. I enjoy it and have got used to juggling the two roles so it mainly doesn’t affect the playing side, that is the main priority out of the two.
Have you heard of any other unusual dual-roles in football? Leave a comment below and let me know.
JJ O'Donnell 