SOLIHULL MOORS have made a stunning change to their pre-season football routine by swapping the pitch for a boxing ring.
Players for the non-league club ditched their football boots for boxing gloves just over a week before their season in the National League is due to kick off as they visited McCracken’s Boxing Gym.
Solihull Moors players swapped the pitch for a boxing gym in their pre-season preparations Credit: Solihull Moors
Solihull Moors Damson Park ground Credit: Alamy
Owned by Oscar McCracken, the renowned gym located in Tyseley, Birmingham, hosted Chris Millington’s team for a special intensive boxing and conditioning session.
The link up was made possible by MAN Commercial Protection CEO Iain McCallister, who was named Solihull Moors Foundation Chairman in June.
Sign up for the Football newsletter
Thank you!
McCallister is a former boxer and entrepreneur whose company has offered protection to stars including Noel Gallagher, Mike Tyson, Tyson Fury, Ricky Hatton and even the King and Queen.
But the latest venture undertaken by MAN saw the fifth-tier stars breaking a sweat in the gym instead of the pitch at Damson Park.
GI WHIZ
European nation defies Uefa and support Infantino’s £20bn plot to sell World Cup
CASH GRAB
Infantino offers Fifa member countries £30m EACH to agree to World Cup sale plot
McCallister said of the partnership: “Boxing has always been a passion of mine, so being able to connect Solihull Moors FC with McCracken’s to create this experience was something I was delighted to make happen.
“The lads embraced every challenge from the first bell to the final round.
“It was brilliant to see them step outside their comfort zone and experience the discipline, resilience and focus that boxing demands.
“Seeing an idea become a reality through collaboration is a great example of how organisations in Solihull and Birmingham can work together.”
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
Top football travel deals
Crucially Millington, 50, was pleased with the session and said: “I remember mentioning to Iain that I wanted the lads to experience a proper boxing gym and a proper conditioning session during pre-season.
“That was six months ago, and it was fantastic to see it all come together.
“It simply wouldn’t have happened without Iain bringing everyone together.
“Special thanks to Oscar McCracken and everyone at the gym for their commitment to the session.
“It was fantastic, and I can’t speak highly enough of the work Oscar and his team are doing.”
The Moors start their season with an away trip to Harrogate Town on August 8, before a first home game against Boston United the following week.
