Richie Barker talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Pre-season testing in Austria hasn’t just been limited to hill runs and sessions on the pitch, with the players locking horns with the staff in a general knowledge quiz on Thursday evening.
With squad chemistry high on Paul Warne’s list of criteria, the Millers players and staff sat down to pit their wits against one another, with the prize coming in the form of being relieved of taking part in an early morning challenge against the hills in the Austrian countryside.
Assistant manager Richie Barker proudly explained that the staff prevailed as victors, before a ‘double or quits’ challenge saw goalkeeper Lewis Price spare the players further punishment on Friday morning.
“There was a quiz on Thursday in which the staff went up against three different teams that the players had put together,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“It was an opportunity for them to get out of one of the really early morning running sessions on the hills.
“Unbelievably, the staff beat them, so they ended up with a double or quits, which meant that it was a 400m race up the hill, in which Gilps our Physio, had to race Pricey.
“The Players were obviously massively in Pricey's corner and Pricey managed to win it, so they were allowed to get off one of the hill running sessions.
“We were disappointed that between three different groups they couldn't beat us in the quiz, bearing in mind that there were some Love Island questions in there!"
Despite being back on home soil, Club Consultant John Breckin’s loyalties were put to the test by the coaching staff, following a discussion which triggered the entire travelling contingent to call on his texting skills.
“We all text him at bang on the same time last night and we were talking about him and it was because he was in our thoughts on the football side at the time,” Richie explained.
“However, there was a slight competition to see what order he would text us back in, so we could find out who he thought was most important!
“Warney won and got the first text back and then I think second was his mate who is the kit man, so at least we know where we stand now!”