During the build-up to London 2012 it was probably fair to describe the prospect of Team GB’s involvement in the Men’s football competition as low key.

The selection process for Stuart Pearce’s squad had been complicated. England players were only permitted to play in one of the summer’s tournaments and players who travelled to EURO 2012 were deemed unavailable.

There was also the issue of priority. Whereas other athletes viewed London 2012 as the pinnacle of their sporting achievement, in football circles it would have been brave to suggest that the Olympics held greater significance than participation in a World Cup or European Championship.

Any doubters, however, were quickly proved wrong. Reflecting on Team GB’s route to the Quarter Finals, Brian Eastick, Team GB’s Assistant Coach, tells The Boot Room how the players and staff were overwhelmed by the uplifting support, describing the event as something that all those involved will remember for the rest of their lives.

The Boot Room: Brian, were you surprised by the public’s reaction to Team GB’s involvement in the football competition?

Brian Eastick: I think from the moment we played the first game against Senegal at Old Trafford, in front of a full house, it was evident that so many people were willing us to do well.

Ahead of the game there was an amazing feeling in and around the hotel and on the streets and generally throughout our preparation period.

It was interesting when we were in Cardiff [ahead of the Uruguay game]. Stuart Pearce, myself and Martin Thomas [U21 Goalkeeping Coach] went for a walk in the local park.

We lost count of the number of people coming up to us to tell us they were going to the game in the evening with their children, and it was the first game of football that they’d been to.

It really was something very special; the whole atmosphere around the team and the competition.

Four months on what is the lasting feeling from the tournament?

Overall just to be part of that Olympic feeling was a fantastic experience. The enormity and uniqueness of the event was brought home when we actually went into the Olympic village. It was there we really felt a part of Team GB.

When you consider that there were approximately 500 athletes in Team GB and we were just a small part of it. The camaraderie and professionalism amongst the athletes was absolutely amazing. I think even the players were taken aback by it. It really was something very special.

What it was like to be in the Olympic village?

It was a humbling experience. The players and staff were all accommodated in GB House with the other GB athletes.

The dining hall was like three aircraft hangers put together; you could have used a bus to get from one end to the other. All the top athletes from all over the world were there.

Inside there was an area where most of Team GB sat to eat. You would queue up, get your paper plate and go and get your food, it was almost like being back at school except the quality and vast selection of food was much greater.

You could find yourself sat next to the likes of Tom Daley or some of the best coaches and athletes in the world.

When our players started talking to other athletes about how they had prepared for four years to compete in their event, they were definitely taken aback by some of their stories of dedicated training and preparation.

The facilities and travel arrangements were very different to what the players are used to – did this add to the experience?

The players felt that it was a privilege to just be there and among all those top athletes. They just got on with it. Everyone just wanted to do well for the country. The whole experience is something the players and the staff will all remember for the rest of our lives.

What lessons can football learn from the Olympic experience?

Sometimes in football we live in our own little bubble. I think it took us outside of that professional football bubble and made the players aware how other professional athletes prepare, as well as how dedicated and conscientious they are. The athletes had worked for a minimum of four years to be in this event and may only get one shot at it.

The full interview with Brian Eastick is in December’s issue of The Boot Room, The FA Licensed Coaches’ Club magazine. To subscribe to the magazine join The FA Licensed Coaches’ club here.

Read issue one of The Boot Room here