A study has revealed that seven in 10 Sunday League footballers have played their matches with a hangover. The survey, which involved 1,000 amateur players, found that most players frequent their local pub the night before a match, with each pub session involving around four and a half drinks.
While six in 10 admitted they overestimated their ability to play the following morning, there were others who claimed that a few drinks actually improved their performance. According to the poll, 15 per cent said they played better after a few drinks and 26 per cent managed to score a goal even while feeling a bit fragile.
Eight in ten players confess their football skills have also been hindered by poor preparation such as skipping warm-ups as well as training, or forgetting their boots on the day of the game. Some even turned up at the wrong pitch.
The research was commissioned by Specsavers as part of its Best Worst Team campaign. The campaign highlights the struggles of teams like Tunley Athletic.
In an attempt to help players win their game, the local pub, The King William Inn, has now prohibited Tunley’s Sunday league players from drinking there the night before games.
Landlord Tom Watson said: “We’ve pulled more pints for this team than they’ve scored goals – so we figured it was our turn to switch tactics. Banning the lads the night before a match is our way of showing tough love.”
“We’re not saying no to beers, just not before the final whistle,” he added. “Hopefully next season, the only thing they’ll be losing is their losing streak!”
Players often misjudge distances, mistakenly pass to their opponents and fumbling headers as a result of fatigue, dehydration or lack of focus which can be caused by drinking.
In addition, although players expressed the importance of good nutrition, hydration, and sleep, even at grassroots level, pre-game nutrition is lacking for many.
A quarter of players opt for junk food on match mornings while others indulge in a full English. And according to the research, three in 10 have skipped a pre-game breakfast altogether.
Specsavers has come forward to support Tunley Athletic’s comeback, enlisting top sports nutritionist Ted Munson to devise a tailor-made diet plan for the squad.
To help Tunley Athletic turn things around, Specsavers has brought in top sports nutritionist Ted Munson to create a bespoke nutrition plan for the team.
Ted added: “Nutrition plays a key role at any level – from grassroots to the Premier League – allowing novice athletes to prepare, execute and recover more effectively.”
“What we put into our body within 48 hours of a match directly impacts our physical output on the pitch,” Ted explains.
“I’ll be working with Tunley Athletic on the fundamentals: ensuring their pre-match meals are carbohydrate-rich and eaten at least 2 hours before kick-off, focusing on hydration habits which can make or break performance, and helping them fuel properly during games.”
Ted advocates for a flexible approach to nutrition with his 80/20 rule: eighty percent of your diet should be nutritious while you can indulge in treats for the remaining twenty percent.
He suggests that players can still enjoy a pint or a takeaway but advises indulging after the match rather than before.
The eagerly awaited finale of Specsavers’ ‘Best Worst Team’ Season 3 is now available for streaming on YouTube as the 2024/25 season comes to an exhilarating conclusion.