From Blackpool Beaches to Military Camps: Tony Pulis on Team Bonding in Football

Tony Pulis, the former Stoke City manager, has drawn a parallel between Tottenham's recent team-bonding trip to Spain and the methods he employed throughout his career to foster team spirit. Pulis emphasizes that while the settings have become more luxurious, the core objective of bringing players together in a new environment remains constant.

Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi recently took his squad to Marbella, a move Pulis believes is crucial for integrating numerous new signings. "He will have used their warm-weather camp in southern Spain to do more of that, getting to know what is almost a new squad of players," Pulis noted. He anticipates that De Zerbi will have used the trip to instill his tactical principles and, importantly, to understand the personalities within his squad away from the pitch.

Pulis recalled his own experiences as Stoke manager, where he frequently took his teams to Austria for pre-season training. These camps were designed not only for fitness but also to observe team dynamics. "I have always believed in building a family togetherness within the dressing room, with a commitment from every player to the benefit of the team," he stated. He described how intense training sessions in Austria would reveal players' inner determination and help forge bonds, which proved valuable during tough Premier League campaigns.

However, Pulis contrasts these modern, first-class trips with his early experiences as a player in the 1970s and 80s. He vividly remembers team-bonding trips to Blackpool, where players shared cramped accommodations and trained on the beach, often clearing dog mess from local park pitches before playing seven-a-side games. Evenings were less structured, with players allowed out for a few beers, bound only by the need to be ready for an early start the next morning.

This era, Pulis notes, was marked by a significant drinking culture throughout football. "In the 1970s and 80s, there was a massive drinking culture right through the leagues," he remarked, referencing stories from top clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal. Bonding often occurred organically through post-match drinks in pubs and weekday gatherings. Winter breaks were rare, and trips to Spain were typically end-of-season affairs focused on further alcohol consumption. Pulis fondly remembers this period as a time when British players felt more connected to society, rather than living in a "bubble."

Evolving Methods

Pulis also recounted using more unconventional methods to build resilience and teamwork. Early in his managerial career, he took teams to army camps for rigorous physical and mental challenges. He described a particular experience in Exmouth where players endured cold-weather cross-country circuits, including swimming underwater in a darkened tunnel, followed by indoor team-building exercises and basic accommodation. "It was spit and sawdust but everyone bought into it and attacked every challenge with great gusto and spirit," he said.

As his career progressed, Pulis opted for more comfortable, yet still demanding, locations abroad, such as Irdning in Austria. He described 'The Castle,' a historic building offering extensive facilities, as an ideal base. He shared an anecdote from 2004 during his first spell as Stoke manager, where he subtly steered players seeking a night out for beers back to their hotel by instructing the bus driver to avoid exciting destinations. While the players eventually discovered his ploy, Pulis managed to keep them under his supervision, a luxury he suggests modern managers like De Zerbi might not need to worry about.

Modern Distractions

Pulis highlights that contemporary players face different challenges. "Now, while they are certainly more aware of the dangers of drinking to excess, as a manager you have to find other ways for them to connect when there are other distractions to contend with." He specifically mentioned the impact of mobile phones, expressing frustration when players would engage with their devices instead of interacting with each other. Despite the perceived lack of material comforts in his playing days, Pulis believes players then "had everything" in terms of strong friendships and lasting memories forged through genuine togetherness.

Pulis concluded his reflections by briefly touching on a recent Manchester City vs. Paris Saint-Germain Champions League match, praising the attacking style displayed. He also alluded to the ongoing controversy surrounding Manchester City's alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, expressing his view that the saga has soured the sport.