From BBC Sport · · 2m
Tony Pulis on British football bonding
How Tottenham's pre-season trip to Spain mirrors Tony Pulis's old Blackpool bonding rituals.
In brief
How Tottenham's pre-season trip to Spain mirrors Tony Pulis's old Blackpool bonding rituals. Tony Pulis recalls how British players bonded through beer and Blackpool beach in the 1970s, contrasting it with modern team-building methods. Originally reported by BBC Sport.
Tottenham's pre-season trip
Tottenham's manager Roberto de Zerbi took players to Spain for team bonding after their poor start to the season.
Bonding through shared time
De Zerbi used the warm-weather camp to build team morale and understand individual strengths and weaknesses.
New players' integration
Spurs added 10 players this summer, requiring time to bond with new teammates.
Pulis's Blackpool days
Pulis spent three days in Blackpool as a player, training on the beach and drinking beer after training.
Bonding in the 1970s
In the 1970s and 1980s, British players drank heavily during matches and after games to bond.
Modern team bonding
Today, Premier League clubs use hotels and facilities to bond players, avoiding the rougher methods of the past.
No mobile phones
Pulis had no mobile phones during his playing days, which helped players connect without distractions.
Army camps
Pulis took teams to army camps for physical and mental challenges, including underwater swimming.
Austria trips
Pulis preferred Austria for pre-season training, staying in a historic castle with pools and gyms.
The Blackpool incident
Pulis's team borrowed a bus to go to a pub after a rest day in Austria, leading to a secret plot to monitor them.
Manchester City's issue
Manchester City faced Premier League financial rule violations, casting a shadow over their Champions League game.
Modern bonding challenges
Modern players need new ways to bond without alcohol, as drinking risks increase with mobile phones.
The bonding legacy
Pulis believes the old-school bonding methods created stronger team relationships than today's approaches.
What happens next
Manchester City's financial issues continue to affect their performance and reputation in the Premier League.
The story's turn
Pulis's column compares past and present team bonding methods, highlighting the shift from beer to structured training.
The key point
Tony Pulis recalls how British players bonded through beer and Blackpool beach in the 1970s, contrasting it with modern team-building methods.
