Sunshine trip just the job

Photo: PICTURE by ALAN HOWARTH

LEE Croft whips in a cross during Athletic’s friendly against Rotherham in Vilamoura.

AS Athletic fly home from Portugal today, captain Dean Furman believes the trip has succeeded in bringing the squad closer together.

The 24-year-old midfielder, who played in the club friendly’s 3-1 defeat to Rotherham in Vilamoura, also hopes the fitness benefits of six days of training and playing in intense heat will shine through when the real football starts.

“All the new lads have settled in really well,” Furman said.

“It isn’t that they wouldn’t have back home, but coming away and being on each other’s toes all the time, the natural way of things is that you come out of your shell. Back home, you train and then you go home. Hopefully, the extra bit of bonding will carry through. The training out here will be very beneficial to our fitness.”

Athletic got through the game, which featured four trialists including two from Portugal, without picking up any injuries.








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