Name: Gary Phillips
Position with Under-21s: Exercise Scientist (Fitness Coach)
Previous roles: Sport Scientist Men's Football - World Universiade 2005; British Swimming (Olympic Games 2000 & 2004 - Commonwealth Games 1998 & 2002); Sport Scientist - British Olympic Association
Time with Under-21s and 'Debut': August 2006 v Moldova at Ipswich, we drew 2-2
Best memory with Under-21s: The 3-2 win away v Switzerland in September
Highlight in football: Qualification for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Finals

Lucerne, Switzerland, 6 September, 2006 - just two minutes are left on the clock and England Under-21s need a goal to clinch victory over their hosts and earn a place in the play-offs.

The Three Lions aren’t letting up, they want that goal. Leighton Baines hangs a cross into the box, Cameron Jerome’s presence unsettles the goalkeeper and he spills the ball. In comes James Milner. Bang. England are 3-2 up.

That strike was the turning point in the season and helped catapult England to where they are today, but it wasn’t the only time they have scored late goals that have kept their unbeaten record intact.

There was Baines’ winner at home to Germany with 13 minutes left, Theo Walcott’s brace in the final six minutes in the away leg and Leroy Lita’s 79th minute equaliser against Spain.

The physical and mental strength shown by the team has under-pinned a great campaign. And as well as the efforts by the players, the support provided by the coaching team has given them first class foundations.

Gary Phillips is one of The FA’s Exercise Scientists and the Under-21s’ Fitness Coach. After working with the team during their get-togethers all season, he must now turn his attention to the UEFA Championship Finals and keeping each player at his physical peak for the duration of the tournament.

"Preparation and planning are key so prior to events such as the European Championship much time is spent considering factors that may impact on the players' performance," Gary explained.

"Ambient weather conditions, travel requirements, match schedule are all considerations. I also have to devise strategies to maximise the players’ performance on matchday."

A former player himself, 17 years as a non-League goalkeeper playing mainly around the south-west, Gary has worked with some of the country’s most talented and successful sportsmen and women in various sports such rowing, swimming and triathlon.

This has given him a unique insight into the psyche of the elite athlete and an appreciation of what dedication and drive is required to achieve international success.

But what will make up a ‘normal’ day for the Fitness Coach?

"During get-togethers we make daily checks on players’ bodyweight, hydration levels and general well-being using self report questionnaires.

"Prior to any session I speak with the coaching staff regarding the training which is planned and the emphasis of the session. I monitor the session’s intensity and content using heart rate monitors and, more recently, GPS technology, allowing for the speed and distances of all runs to be measured and quantified.

"We can decide if the session was appropriate and executed as planned or whether future sessions may need to be changed and modified to achieve the aims, and if individual players require additional work or recovery.

"On the training pitch I am responsible for working with the players, specifically during the warm-up and cool down periods."

England have three games in six days when they get to Holland, so the recovery period between games is vital if they are to compete for the full 90 minutes.

Gary will leave no stone unturned in making sure the players are ready for each encounter.

He added: "The aspect of recovery – ‘the forgotten training zone’ - is critical and it is here we can probably make the greatest difference to the players’ subsequent performance.

"Following training or matches, the players are required to complete recovery sessions which are either pool-based or through the use of cryotherapy ice baths, which are designed to accelerate that recovery process."