LET me start by thanking you for all your emails so far.
We've had responses from as far a field as Australia and as
close to home as Romford, and please keep them coming in.
For the first in my regular features for the Club's Official
Website we go behind the scenes of a home match at Upton Park and
look at how we prepare the Hammers stars for a game at the Boleyn
Ground.
For a regular 3.00pm kick-off the players are asked to report to
Upton Park at 11.30am for a pre-match meal. Of course, the schedule
and size of the pre-match meal will differ for the varying kick-off
times we now encounter in professional football.
I usually arrive at the ground for about 8.00am to not only prepare
the meal but also help to arrange the dressing room. On arrival
I'm greeted by Raymond from the Club's Hospitality
Department, who will have already collected all my food items that
I need to prepare the pre-match meal.
We lay out a selection of foods for the players before a match,
such as:
Selection of cereals and low-fat milk
Toasted white/brown bred with low-fat jams
Plain penne pasta with tomato and basil sauce
Baked beans
Scrambled eggs
Grilled or poached chicken breasts
Low-fat beef bolognaise
Water and Powerade
Tim with Physiotherapist Andy Walker
These are very simple foods, but they are vital for players to
achieve the energy levels required to take them through the whole
match. Drinking plenty of fluids before, during and after games is
also very important. Players can de-hydrate during the game, which
can lead to cramps and muscle fatigue.
The pre-match meal is deigned to be eaten three hours before
kick-off, which allows time for the body to absorb and digest the
extra carbohydrates and proteins that the players will need during
the match.
Once the pre-match meal is cooked, and the players are hopefully
enjoying it, I turn my attention to the dressing-room. Every
matchday the players consume at least 60 bottles of water and up to
six Powerade drinks each!
I also have browned bananas available to give the players a sugar
boost during half-time. Over-ripe bananas contain more sugar than
the standard ones you find in the supermarket. We also have a
selection of Wine gums, Jelly-babies, Nutrigrain bars and Meusli
bars if the players require some instant sugar.
At half-time I make sure the players have drinks waiting for them
when they come in from the pitch, and we go through the same
procedure at full-time, again so they can replenish and re-hydrate
their bodies.
The players should eat a solid meal an hour after the game to
replace the lost energy and weight. A typical player could lose up
to three kilograms in one match and for the health and fitness of
the player it's vitally important that they replace the lost
weight immediately.
Most players, particularly those more experienced professionals,
know how to manage and look after their own bodies. They understand
the importance of treating their bodies well and follow strict
regimes about diet and fitness.
However, it's important that we help the players get into an
easier and efficient routine of diet and training, one that will
hopefully serve them well throughout their professional careers.
Please email me with any questions relating to the West Ham United
diet at [email protected]
Tim's Food For Thought
22nd February 2005