FANCY footwear was surplus to requirements as players from Blackburn Rovers’ academy joined forces with the Royal Navy for a pre-season boot camp.

The players were put through their paces by instructor Scott Jackson, who was assisted by academy physio Russ Wrigley and strength and conditioning coach Matt Busby.

They took part in sessions including beach running, assault courses and climbing walls.

Youth coach Terry McPhillips said: “It was real back-to-basics stuff, with the players roughing it in sleeping bags, with no TVs and meals prepared on site, but I’m sure they will have benefited greatly from the experience.”