Everyone I’ve asked has said they’ve had a brilliant time and the difference in team spirit since we arrived is clear for all to see.
The squad have really bonded well and there’s always someone laughing. Usually, it’s at a teammate’s expense (like when Krystle Johnston slipped on a mopped floor with her boots on, despite being warned of the danger) and I know there have been a few pranks played too!
This morning, we arrived at breakfast at the usual time and – as it’s Valentine’s Day – while we ate, we were treated to a number of love songs from what I think was Cara Fields’ iPod.
We had classics such as Wonderwall, Always Be My Baby, Hey There Delilah… The list goes on. Whoever owns that music collection is definitely an old romantic anyway!
After breakfast, it was another gym session for the squad before outdoor training – which was very light-hearted. We had a Crossbar Challenge before the players decided they wanted a game, which some of the staff – including myself – were dragged into.
Despite my protests that I had no boots, when Andie Worrall presented me with Steph Marsh’s size fives, there was nothing I could do but don a bib and join in.
After about three minutes, I was ready to come off in all honesty but I could hardly let the team down, could I? Playing as a second striker to Toni Duggan, I must’ve looked very out of place but against all odds, I managed to find the back of the net with a tap-in at the back post.
It must have been about ten yards offside but I didn’t care and apparently, the sheer joy on my face was there for all to see.
(To be honest, I think I was just relived that it went in. With a virtually empty net, it would have been harder to miss and I’m absolutely certain that I would have never lived it down!)
In other news, we were all impressed with Karen Bardsley’s outfield efforts as well. Our shot-stopper has a hidden talent – a David Silva-like dribbling ability and a hell of a finish. She scored an absolute cracker past stand-in goalkeeper Gavin Makel to break the deadlock but it was all in vain as the bibs emerged victorious with the all-important final goal.
When we arrived back at the hotel, we sat down for dinner – again with romantic background music – before grabbing the last of the feature interviews. Some of the answers we’ve had are absolutely hilarious so make sure you check them out when they go up on the website.
Now, we’re about to check-out and we’re heading over to Cartagena for a few hours and our last group activity before our flight back to Manchester.
