Jimmy Petruzzi

Chris Casper has mentioned him several time in recent weeks, just who is he, there's only one man to ask - Jimmy Petruzzi

'I am 32 years of age, from Sydney Australia. I was identified by a talent identification programme as one of Australia's most promising athletes and went on to train as an athlete with the Australian Institute of Sport, my event was 400 meters, I also played football, boxed, played rugby at a high level.'

'I played for Granville Chile, Concord, and Parramatta Melita some of Australia's top football teams (soccer), I represented Australia at 5 a side football futsal, and trained at the Australian Institute of Sport as a 400 meterathlete, played a very high level of Rugby national competition, and boxed at a high level."

'I then pursued my career in Europe, I decided to base myself in Europe as an athlete. My athletic ability landed me a football trial with Juventus Football Club in Italy in 1995, I went on to play footballin Romania in 1995 for a short period, then decided to come to the UK and base myself as an athlete at the end of 1995, my athletic ability created interest in football.'

'In 1996 I had trials with West Ham, Bolton and Preston, I also competed in Europe and America in track 400 meters, I was running Olympic qualifying times in 1997, I trained with (Chris Butler)Wigan Harriers and Wigan Rugby League conditioning coach one of England's leading track coaches, I also trained with Wigan Rugby League (world champions)in 1996.'

'From 1997 to 1999 I have done conditioning work with West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Queens Park Rangers, I also worked with the Lawn Tennis Association.I trained to be a conditioning coach at Loughborough University in England; I studied Sports Performance Conditioning.'

Jimmy puts John Fitzgerld through his paces

'I had a back injury in mid May 1999, I stopped playing football andcompeting as a track athlete, I also decided to give up working in football as a conditioning coachin mid 1999, I was upset I couldn't compete anymore. In 1999 I was achieving Olympic standard 400 meter times, and was on courseto compete in the Olympics on home turf in 2000, I decided I needed a break from sport so I went into lecturing Psychology and Sports Science, after couple years I got hungry to get back into sport and Steve Linnane asked me to do some work with Rochdale Rugby League club, I did for a bit but I preferred working in football,I set up my own business at www.petruzzisocceracademy.com and www.petruzziperformance.com.'

'I was working freelance training some of world top players, some of the people amongst I advised were Carlos ALBERTO Da Luz Brazils technical director of France 1998 world cup, and Ken Dugdale New Zealand national coach.'

'InJan 2003 I did some freelance work for some of the Bury players. When Chris Casper had taken over as youth team coach he had asked me to come on board with the youth team,I thought this was a great opportunity to ease my way back into football at team level, and was very impressed by the youth team and staffand started working with Bury youth team, July 2003.'

'My involvement with the 1st team came about with Chris's appointment, whilst I received a some offers and interest by a number of clubs even at premiership level, I believed the opportunity to work with Chris, one of England's most promising young managers was a great opportunity. Chris basically gives me a free role to do my work, backs my ability to get the lads firing.The staff are fantastic to work with, the players are an excellent bunch of lads I enjoy working with.'

'My job involves preparing the players, physically and mentally for games, this involves coordinating the training, in a structure, I train the players, deal with all things related to performance, i.e. diet, psychology, fitness I am very happy working for Bury as I have a key role in the development of the club at a performance level.'

'At the moment the challenge is moving the first team to a good position in the table so we can consolidate, it is not easy taking over the training into the season, ideally you start working towards the season as early as may, although we have a great bunch of players who have good ability we are moving into the right direction and will take it one game at a time, we are however planning for the future as well.'

'I am also am structuring the physical curriculum for the school of excellence and youth team youth to ensure we keep producing good young players.'