In the first instalment of a series of articles where we catch up with the club’s coaching staff, we spoke with Strength and Conditioning Coach James Eachus during a break from putting the players through their paces in pre-season.
James started working with Colls last pre-season during the final months of his 13 and a half year stint with the Royal Marines, having served throughout the world, including three tours of Afghanistan and a stint in the Falklands (perfect preparation for a trip to Glossop). His qualifications are certainly impressive, combining Level 5 Coaching and Mentoring with Level 4 Strength and Conditioning.
Actual training doesn’t have much of a military feel to it, partly as James’s programmes include work on mobility as opposed to raw fitness. Each of the players has a tailored program focusing on their individual needs. One thing that James highlights is having to schedule in rest and recovery periods, particularly when the fixture list is intensive, training may then take the form of stretching to keep players’ bodies in peak condition. In addition to this, in order to perform at this level consistently, their whole lifestyle needs to be dedicated and committed to the cause.
Speaking with James about the Colls, it’s immediately obvious that he is loving his time with the club, describing the environment as “infectious”. “Working with the lads is superb, they are open to ideas but give me honest feedback as to what works and what doesn’t”.
Talking about on the pitch events, James describes Ben Hardcastle’s late winner at Colwyn Bay as his highlight of last season, “even better than the cup final”, he added. It certainly was a season of highlights and it’s fair to say that James played a significant part in that.
Next in the series we'll be meeting First Team Coach Baz "Secret Millionaire" Atkins.
How The League Was Won Pt 2
April 30, 2019
A freezing Harry Williams Stadium on New Year’s Day 2019 saw Colls make a real statement of intent, facing a Ramsbottom side in the middle
