Day five was, it transpired, to become a day that will be long remembered by all in attendance at this year’s pre-season training camp for a multitude of reasons.

The results of the day’s happenings will, I firmly believe, manifest themselves into something very special for the season ahead.

It started in a similar fashion to each of the previous days, albeit there was a bit more cloud about.

Breakfast was at 8am and that was followed by the daily bike ride or run for those far more energetic than me - basically everyone.

That apart it was a fairly laid back morning with the medical team operating an open door policy for anyone who had any niggles, etcetera.

Lunch was taken a little earlier than normal at 12.15pm, for we were all under instructions to be ready and prepared to board the coach at 1pm sharp for what had been billed as a team building exercise.

On the dot at 1pm we set off out of the sports complex and headed towards the neighbouring town of Rudolstadt.

As we drove down the road our driver came to a road block and within literally seconds three guys boarded the coach and instructed us all, in no uncertain terms, to disembark.

Not surprisingly, we were all off in no time at all and corralled together.

That's not strictly true as I wimped round the back of the bus and clung hold of a video camera which the media maestro Mark Chapman had thrust in my direction, and claimed diplomatic immunity, partly because of my age and, well totally because of my age.

No such luck for the players and the more energetic of the back room staff.

First and foremost they were made to push the coach we had just got off up the road for about 100 yards and then they were told to get down and do 30 press ups on gravel.

The press ups were, it appears, to become a regular occurrence throughout the ensuing three hours or so.

For some reason, Sam Saunders was picked out by the leader of the weaponless SWAT team (or bully as I called him, but not to his face of course) and made to do a number of one handed press ups, which he did with consummate ease.

Then everybody was herded in the direction of a gym where they were told to line up in twos linking arms, whereupon a ladder was held up at the front and a volunteer (yeah, as if) would climb the ladder and on reaching the top, fall backwards in the full knowledge that those behind him would catch him.

You (and he) will be pleased to know that Uwe's faith in his players was fully justified when he landed. A few players were equally pleased to have faith in their fellow teammates when they too fell backwards.

A number of other team pursuits, such as walking along a line of torsos and being transported full length on your back by a line of players themselves lying on their backs followed before it was time for a very energetic dance/boxing work out to music.

Then it was back outside and a long run to the next location whereupon the group had to wade waist deep across a river before being ordered to do some more press ups - whilst still in the water.

Myself, still carrying the video recorder and obtaining footage for the website where possible, unfortunately missed some of the action in between locations as I was transported by car, and disappointingly some of the locations were inaccessible by car.

Lucky me!

One such location was at the top of a hill which rose 400 metres and could only be accessed by climbing on all fours and helping each other reach the peak.

This, bear in mind, was upon completion of a number of hill sprints.

At the peak the group were told the history of a local hero who lived in the area some 1,000 years ago and is heralded by all in local folklore.

This was around the same time that the Germanic nation were raiding our own shores and doing untold damage to man and beast (so Uwe reliably informed me).

Anyway back to yesterday, and it was at this point that the group as a whole made the pledge, on a weapon from that time, that only great things come to those that work as a team.

Now I do appreciate that relaying these events to you third hand does lose a lot of the solemnity and tradition associated with what happened yesterday and yesteryear, but I am reliably informed that it was all conducted in the best possible taste.

From there the group continued pounding through the countryside over hill and dale, with the regular stop for a few more press ups, before they reached the highest point of their mystery tour.

It was here that that they had to carry each other piggy back style up a very steep path, and of course back down again.

Just when they thought they could be nearing the end of their ordeal (sorry I meant team building exercise), they were asked (no they weren't, they were ordered) to pull a car up the same pathway!

On completion of that task they had to scale a wall by pushing, pulling or whatever means it took to do so.

This was followed by an exercise over 300 odd metres of ever rising vineyards over which the group, split in to two teams, had to carry Uwe and Alan Kernaghan respectively.

Should they fail or have dropped either of their respective charges, apart from incurring the wrath of those dropped, they would have had to go back to the bottom of the hills and start again.

On completion it was another cross country uphill run to the next stage which saw them running through fire directly after being doused by a fireman's hose and then completing a very testing assault course.

It was then a run back to where it all begun some three hours and twelve kilometres earlier, but not before a final round of, yes you've guessed it, press ups.

To a man almost everyone said it was probably the toughest thing they had ever done and to their utmost credit, it wasn't just the players who took part, but the majority of the coaching and back room staff, led by Uwe himself.

As said before, I fully appreciate that my reporting of it does not do it credit, but having witnessed most of it I am in absolute awe of each and every one of the players who took part and gave 100 per cent throughout.

They are magnificent and dedicated athletes who work as a team and I know that the three hours or so spent on that team building exercise yesterday will most certainly bear fruit in the weeks and months that lay ahead.

Our hopes and aspirations for the season ahead are in very safe hands.

There was little to report upon our return to the sports complex; dinner was taken early then as a reward for their efforts.

It was time for the players and staff to enjoy one very well earned drink together, and then beddie byes and the chance for all to rest their aching bodies, which must have been absolute bliss.