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One of the longest-serving members of the current Fulham squad, Moritz Volz would have been as excited as anybody about a fresh start this season, with a new look team and the challenge of impressing a new Manager. But instead it’s been a period of frustration for the German as a series of injuries have meant that, whilst his head has been willing, his body has not. However, after a couple of months of rest and rehab, he is now back in training and, all being well, refreshed and almost ready for action …
Many fans will have been wondering where you’ve been since August. What’s been the problem?
I’ve had several, not just one thing. I’ve had a long-term problem with my shoulder, which dates back to the FA Cup game against Stoke last January - it meant I couldn’t take throw-ins pain free. Just before pre-season I had pains in my groin; all around my pubic bone was inflamed and sore, which meant that I had to train in pain all pre-season. Then I picked up a bruising in my foot at Aston Villa at the beginning of the season. It just got to a stage where all these problems added up and led to new ones. Then, after the Reserve game against Reading about eight weeks ago, I felt really bad and couldn’t cope with it anymore. So I haven’t trained for eight weeks. I’ve done a lot of rehab work, a lot of long days trying to get back fit.
Over the last two weeks I’ve had treatments, mainly on my back, and I feel good now, and I’ve been able to do more since then. So hopefully, when I join back in with training, it will be good for my body and my body will show the right reaction, with the pain decreasing further. I’ve got some extra fitness work to do for the next two weeks to get match fit again, and then, once I’m fit and available for selection, I’ve got another task on my hands – getting into the team.
It must have been very frustrating. What have you been doing to keep yourself occupied?
My priority has been working hard; doing all I can to get fit as quick as possible. I’ve done extra yoga to get a bit more balance, and I enjoyed that. Basically, I’ve filled my days with as much rehab stuff as I can, so that when I’ve finished at three or four o’clock, I’ve had the feeling that “ok, I didn’t train, but I still worked hard today.” That kept me going.
It must have been especially hard watching from the sidelines instead of playing in the new-look team?
It isn’t my favourite way to spend time, watching football from the balcony instead of playing it, but I want to keep track of what’s going on, how the team is performing, and trying to spot where we’re doing well and where we can improve so that when I’m back I can be in a position to help the team out.
As always, you’re heavily involved with the Prince’s Trust this year, and you took part in an event last week didn’t you?
Yes. As part of the 12-week Prince’s Trust course they have a fund-raising week. Last time around I organised a charity car wash at the training ground, and this time they planned a sponsored ‘Monopoly Run’. I thought it sounded like fun to go and visit all the sights so we made a race out of it – me against the youngsters’ team. I like helping out and I like being active.
I hadn’t done something like that before and it sounded great. I had to go to every place on the Monopoly board and take a photo to prove I was there. I went my own route and the Kingston team did the same thing. We were only allowed to use public transport – no taxis or cars, but I took my folding bike as well, which gave me a bit of an advantage I hope! I underestimated how long it would take. I thought three hours would be enough, but it took me around four, which still isn’t bad. It was a pretty solid performance!
And you also took to the Craven Cottage stands at the Portsmouth match collecting money for Sparks…
It was great because, again, it kept me active, and it gave me an opportunity to help out. It was also done as a bit of a competition between myself and Gabby Logan to see who could raise the most. I was told I won afterwards, which is good enough for me. I definitely put in the effort! It was great because the fans were so generous. I was quite aggressive trying to win, but I must say they were very polite and friendly, and most people dug deep into their pockets.
I love things like that because it gets the best out of people. It shows a lot of generosity because football fans these days have to pay a lot of money for tickets and merchandise. They spend a lot of money on their football clubs, but when you ask for more and they still give it, it’s very encouraging and it’s really appreciated.
