ROOKIE SCARR’S FIT AS A FIDDLE NOW
ANYONE who over-indulges too much this Christmas may look to employ a personal trainer to whip them back into shape in January.
But for one PT, his own fitness was exposed when he swapped the gym for life as a professional footballer.
Defender Dan Scarr was playing for Non-League Stourbridge this time last year when a couple of goals in the early rounds of the FA Cup propelled him on to the radar of bigger teams.
In the January transfer window, he secured a move to boyhood club Birmingham.
But the dream soon turned sour for the 23-year-old as he tore his hip flexor soon after joining and was restricted to just two appearances for the Under-23s.
Lifestyle
However, a loan move to League Two Wycombe has kick-started his career – even though the life of a pro caught him off guard.
“I thought I was fit,” Scarr said. “I was playing NonLeague football and working as a personal trainer every day, so I lived a very active lifestyle.
“But nothing can prepare you for the fitness you need to be a professional and the load it takes on your body.
“In the first two weeks, I got a real shock to the system because I thought I was fit aerobically, but I struggled with my muscles.
“When I was out injured, I learned more about how my body worked. Being football fit and being fit are two totally different things.”
Looking back on the last 12 months, Scarr has to pinch himself at how it has gone.
“It’s strange how my life has changed so much in such a short space of time,” he said.
“It came up on Facebook the other day that 12 months ago I was working as a personal trainer and playing for Stourbridge, and we played Northampton in the FA Cup second round.
“There was talk of me going on trial at various clubs, then I ended up at Birmingham.
“Gianfranco Zola was the manager at the time and the whole experience was amazing. Signing for my favourite team and meeting one of the best footballers in the world – it was all a bit overwhelming.
Extended
“I will always be indebted to him as he was the one who signed me.”
Scarr is currently learning his trade under Gareth Ainsworth at Adams Park and, ahead of the weekend, had 13 appearances under his belt so far this season.
Wycombe are going well in League Two and the defender, who has extended his loan spell until the end of the season, would love nothing more than to end his time with a medal.
“Gareth has been excellent with me,” said Scarr. “The key thing is he always has time for you and that is what I need at this stage of my career.
“This season the aim is promotion, as simple as that.
“On a personal level, I would love to go back to Blues with a medal and my game having developed, and force my way into the first team squad.”