PFA pre-season: John Swift, Paul Dummett among attendees to dedicated summer training camp | Football News

At the bottom of a long journey, out of sight in the Leicestershire countryside, there is a buzz around a football field.

Forty players, and various groups of coach staff, mix with a set of canoes, chat, exchanging their coaches for boots, preparing for training to start.

It is the pre-season; It is not an unusual view from top to bottom of the country at this time of year.

But it is not the pre-season as we know it-it is the PFA pre-season camp.

Now in its second year, it is a fully funded residential program for 10 weeks and, as well as training on the field, players have access to SPA and gymnasium, strength and packaging sessions and more. The members of the PFA released this summer, who had a professional contract during the 2024/25 season, are eligible.

Until the most beautiful detail, everything is supported. All they have to do is introduce themselves and participate.

It would not be pre-season without friendly matches, of course. At the time of writing the editorial time, there are six programmed, and there is a constant interest in the Premier League and the championship clubs.

There are members of the PFA murmurs who are on the PFA “Player” program will offer opportunities for an officer during these games. Scouts will also be present. The more these players must put themselves in the shop window, the better.

Of the 120 players who participated in 2024, around 100 obtained a contract. Former Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson obtained a move to Bromley accordingly, while Dwight Gayle was recovered by Hibernian.

From the group of this year, the former back left Harrogate Matty Foulds has already signed for St Johnstone after the first week.

The success rate is high – and the registrations for this year publishing have essentially doubled accordingly.

During a visit during the first week, Sky Sports spoke to two high -level participants in the hope of using the program to launch the next chapter of their career …

Swift in request: you cannot reproduce what you do on the field in the gymnasium

The name surprised on the list of participants published in the media was that of John Swift.

In Chelsea’s books until 2016, the midfielder – and former England U21 International – played regular championship football for Reading and West Brom in the last nine seasons.

Needless to say, the 30 -year -old is not short of contenders. According to reports, Derby, Norwich, Portsmouth, Rangers and Stoke, among others, are interested in his signature. He knows it and has already spoken to clubs.

But he decided to adopt a proactive approach before his next destination was secure.

“Joe Wildsmith was in West Brom last year and he came here before,” said Swift. “He said,” If you are between choosing clubs or talking to clubs, there is no need to sit at home and go to the gymnasium by yourself “.

“As soon as I knew that my contract was going to be in West Brom and that I was not going to sign, I registered right away. There is nothing worse than sitting at home, waiting for your agent to call and hoping that it is as soon as possible.

“I went on vacation and I appreciated it, knowing that I was going to come here and install work. I prefer to come here because you cannot reproduce what you do on the field in the gymnasium. All the time that I am without a club, I will be here to work.”

Between the end of his contract for the reading and signature of West Brom, Swift was a free agent for two weeks. It was longer this time. This is the longest period that he has ever been without a club as a professional.

The club’s decision not to extend the three -year contract he signed in 2022 was taken before the end of the season, before Ryan Mason was appointed permanent successor to Tony Mowbray.

His release arrived at the end of a season when he only made 19 league departures.

“It was certainly my time to leave at the end of the season,” he admits.

“I went there hoping to put pressure for the promotion; We arrived at the playoffs once, but we missed twice. I am disappointed with what we have achieved, to be honest.

“With the team we had, the players we had, the managers we had, I think we could certainly have started more and realize more.

“Last season, when Carlos Corberan left and Tony entered, it was a massive difference in management. One manages in one direction, one manages the other. Maybe we just didn’t understand when Tony entered. We had matches where we should have won by three or four.

“The last part of my agreement there was difficult. I got out of the bench from time to time. It did not go very well at the end. Maybe the last three or four months have been difficult, but overall, I really enjoyed.”

Dummett excited for the new chapter after the first post-snake season of “disaster”

Paul Dummett is one of the other well -known players present at the camp.

The defender spent 24 years in Newcastle, having joined the age of eight and left last summer at the age of 32. He played more than 200 times for the Magpies and was part of the team that won the title of champion in 2016/17.

He is a free agent for the second time. There were short spells in Wigan and Carlisle last, but he only played eight games in all – and that followed a five -month spell without a club.

“When I left Newcastle, I didn’t think I would have been absent without a club when the transfer window closed,” he said.

“It was a difficult period, an uncertain moment for me. Newcastle helped me a lot. I left there and I didn’t have a club, but I was lucky to be allowed to train with the U21.

“It helped me stay in shape, so I was in a decent position when I went to Wigan. I was not in good shape, which was not ideal, but I was still in a position OK after training most days.

“The most difficult part of Wigan was that the team was not two hours before kick -off. I never had the opportunity to try to work as hard as possible on Thursday and a Friday if I knew that I was not going to play. I did not find myself in the pace of trying to become more fit and play games.

“In the end, I did not play much and I ended up going to Carlisle in January, then I pulled my hamstrings the first match I was there. It was a bit of a disaster season for me, really.”

It is a chance for the former international Wales to wipe the slate, therefore, as discouraging as the prospect of being without a club, it is almost canceled by the excitement of what could still be to come.

“After last season, I thought that coming here, surrounded by other players in the same position, was the best thing for me. I know exactly what everyone feels; It’s an uncertain moment for everyone.

“This time, 12 months ago too, I probably did not go back to training, so I am in a more advantageous position now. I’m here to try to do my best, I am as fit as possible.

“Being in the shop window, showing people that you are still good enough to go and do it on a good scene is important. I’m sure I can always go there and be good enough to play. I am excited for this new challenge and the next chapter of my career.”