These days, the footy world never sleeps.

And perhaps no one knows that better than Hawthorn Coach Alastair Clarkson.

Clarkson and Football Operations and Strategy Manager Rob McCartney recently spent a portion of their offseason in the UK.

It was there that the pair conducted a study trip, further developing their coaching practices and expertise.

Read: Hawks on holiday 2

Visiting a range of professional sports clubs across the UK, Clarkson and McCartney were given a fresh perspective on how these clubs and their academies functioned.

While they were there, they also crossed paths with a couple of familiar faces, visiting both the Glass and Nash families during their time in Ireland.

Part of the itinerary saw the coaches go to both boys’ schools and former Gaelic clubs.

They visited Nash’s original club Simonstown GAAA and Glen GAC, where Glass was recruited from.

Having given the Irish duo the opportunity to pull on the brown and gold over the past two years, Clarkson and McCartney also spent time checking out some of the emerging local Gaelic talent.