Twenty-two youngsters, accompanied by Owls Academy staff, made a 7am start at Brendan Ingle's Wincobank gym to hear from the inspirational boxing coach and sample a fighter's routine.

The footballers were put through some physical exercises and given a talk by the man who is famous for giving young people lessons for life and guiding them to sporting success.

Academy manager Sean McAuley, who linked up with Brendan through club chaplain Peter Allen, said: "I'm interested in different coaching methods and first went up to see Brendan about six months ago to get his take on it and his philosophy.

"I found it really interesting and thought our lads could get a lot out of it.

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"A lot of the attributes you need to be a good boxer are the same as those you need to be a good footballer; you've got to be confident, you've got to make sacrifices.

"For them to hear that sort of thing from someone who has worked with world champions reinforces the work that we do with our players.

"There was also a confidence-building thing where some of them had to go in the ring and introduce themselves and talk about themselves.
"The whole exercise went really well, and I'd do it again."

The Owls could pay a return visit and don the gloves to see what it's like in the ring against a boxer - though with the promise that the fighter would not hit them back!

Brendan talked to the lads about co-ordination, and the importance of dedication and hard work. "They were smashing lads. I asked 'would you put in an extra hour or two a day to do the sort of footwork we do?' Every one put his hand up," he said.

"The only way to get to the top is practise, practise, more practise."
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