PIC: Beer, Chops and Stale Bread: A footballer's training plan in 1891

Ryan Giggs gave up butter to help extend his career. In 1891 Sunderland players were made eat chops for breakfast, mutton for dinner, before washing it down with a pint of beer... and still won the league by five points.

These days it seems footballers closer resemble futuristic cyborgs than the average man in the street. They're all peak athletes, with live-in chefs, doing twice daily yoga sessions, sleeping in oxygen tents. It was a little different in 1891. Sunderland's directors made it compulsory for players to follow this 'training plan'. Chops, stale bread and beer were essential stables of the diet, while tobacco was 'to be used sparingly'. If this was the training plan of the league champions, what were their rivals eating?

Interesting rules for training from Sunderland FC in 1891. pic.twitter.com/GMOENQKoTa — The Antique Football (@AntiqueFootball) December 5, 2014

H/T to The Antique Football & Victorian Football.

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PIC: Beer, Chops and Stale Bread: A footballer’s training plan in 1891

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Ryan Giggs gave up butter to help extend his career. In 1891 Sunderland players were made eat chops for breakfast, mutton for dinner, before washing it down with a pint of beer... and still won the league by five points.

PIC: Beer, Chops and Stale Bread: A footballer’s training plan in 1891

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Ryan Giggs gave up butter to help extend his career. In 1891 Sunderland players were made eat chops for breakfast, mutton for dinner, before washing it down with a pint of beer... and still won the league by five points.

Home sport