Blues chief executive Simon Clegg says the appointment of new fitness consultant Steve Williams came out of discussions between himself and manager Paul Jewell. The 36-year-old double Olympic rowing Gold medallist joined the club on a part-time basis working with fitness coach Andy Liddell last week.

Clegg said: “We’ve been discussing a whole range of ways in which we might be able to try and squeeze a little bit extra out of the performance.

“Paul was very open. I put up a number of people that he interviewed and it was his decision at the end of the day.

“He was very impressed by Steve. Steve took training [on Monday] afternoon. He told them it was going to be a light session and apparently they were all absolutely knackered by the end!”

He says the squad can learn from Williams, regardless of his lack of footballing credentials: “It’s about performance. He’s come in to support Andy on the physical performance side, it’s nothing to do with footballing skills or anything like that.

“It doesn’t matter how good your footballing skills are, if you haven’t got the fitness to go with it, you’re never going get anywhere.”

Despite his achievements both in and outside a boat — he has also climbed Everest and walked to the North Pole — Clegg says the Leamington Spa-born rower is not one of sport’s louder characters: “He’s an incredibly modest, quiet individual.”

Williams is likely to be amongst those putting the squad through their paces at next week's training camp near Eindhoven.

The squad which travels to Holland on Sunday will almost certainly include only one goalkeeper, Arran Lee-Barrett. We understand there is nothing in overnight reports from Wales claiming Blues interest in ex-Cardiff man Tom Heaton.

If Lee-Barrett picks up a knock during training or Tuesday’s match at Helmond Sport or Thursday’s game at Den Bosch (both 7pm local time) then it’s likely the Blues will borrow a keeper from one of the Dutch clubs. as has happened in similar circumstances on pre-season tours in the past.

Meanwhile, the Blues' pre-season game at Braintree on Tuesday 24th July has switched to a 7.45pm kick-off. It’s likely Town will field a second string side against the Blue Square Bet Premier side.

Elsewhere, former Town left-back Shane O’Connor is on trial with League One new boys Crawley Town. The 22-year-old, who is currently with hometown club Cork City having left the Blues in January, spent time on trial at the Broadfield Stadium last summer before deciding against a six-month loan.

Former Town striker Alan Lee, 33, has signed a new one-year deal with Huddersfield, who were promoted to the Championship via the play-offs in May.

Ex-Blues keeper Márton Fülöp, 29, is reported to have been offered terms by Greek side Asteras Tripolis having been released by West Brom at the end of the season.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

newboy added 11:07 - Jul 13 New season and very little changes as always I say support the team but the chuckle brothers management jewell and clegg have no structure, no plan for the future and continue to alienate those they employ another pathetic season beckons. I just hope those players left here can hold it together until fool jewells contract runs out
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Stu_Magoo added 11:11 - Jul 13 I think getting Steve Williams on board is an amazing idea. Is he here to teach them how to cross a ball or take a penalty?? No. If he can install even a tenth of the mental toughness or winning mentality he obviously possesses - considering his exploits - into our team then i will be very happy.
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Tractorog added 13:25 - Jul 13 There are plenty of problems at Town, but the people criticising this decision are clearly from the shallow end of the gene pool.
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are_these_the_days added 14:33 - Jul 13 Mmmm -i'm getting that sinking feeling
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ArnieMsBigToe added 16:35 - Jul 13 Dirty Dingus: Like it. Very funny!!
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Ipswichbusiness added 21:05 - Jul 13 On the face of it this could be a very good idea as not only should he know an awful lot about fitness, but he is a high sporting achiever and hopefully that will rub off on the players. My one concern is that the type of fitness required for rowing is not necessarily the same type of fitness as is required for football. The Army is very fit, but Roy Keane took the squad to an Army training camp in pre-season and it didn't seem to do much good.

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BuckieBlue added 21:32 - Jul 13 Ipswichbusiness. as you say his 'achieving' (and winning mentality) will hopefully rub off. if as PJ says he's a humble guy the players more likely to resond to him too. Regarding your concern over type of fitess, PJ obviously thinks he can do some good so hopefully he will have briefed him on type of fitness required.
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h32 added 21:40 - Jul 13 Bobblehat - NO - I don't necessarily, because I am not 'mr perfect' - you obviously are. Do you and Garv meet for Sunday Lunch ? - wouldn't surprise me - nodding dogs spring to mind. Who needs a Goalkeeper anyway - we have a new Fitness Coach - much more important, some would have us believe - god help us, with that mentality .....
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h32 added 21:43 - Jul 13 tractorgirls - good post.
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h32 added 21:46 - Jul 13 Garv - ever heard of the word 'sarcasm' - you don't spot it too well do you ??
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 22:05 - Jul 13 h32 - where exactly did I or garv say it was more important to have a fitness coach? As usual u haven't read our posts at all. Yes we do, I'm driving this week and garv is choosing the venue.
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h32 added 22:07 - Jul 13 Bobblehat - surprise, surprise ...............
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h32 added 22:11 - Jul 13 ....... did I refer to you two specifically in the last section of my post ?? - you didn't, as usual, read or understand my post correctly did you ? ...........
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 22:24 - Jul 13 h32 - so who were u referring to ??? cos i cant see anyone who has said that !! Think im having pork this week, Garv always has chicken.
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h32 added 22:28 - Jul 13 Bobblehat - may join you both next Sunday - and educate you both on Football, and ITFC particularly .......................... now how's that for an offer ? But only if Beef is on the menu.
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h32 added 22:34 - Jul 13 ....... perhaps the 'rower' will join us too - no chance of the one and only Goalkeeper coming - got to protect him he's precious, and likely to remain so.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 22:34 - Jul 13 h32 - no problems, we sit by the fire, you will recognise us as we constantly nod our heads.
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h32 added 22:35 - Jul 13 ..... I know that !
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