IF England’s cosseted footballers were ever faced with Chris Holder’s punishing schedule, the FA could have a mutiny on their hands.

While the Premier League prima donnas and the cream of speedway may share top billing in their respective sports, in truth, they are worlds apart.

As Roy Hodgson’s men continue their preparations for Euro 2012 tonight, Poole Pirates’ captain fantastic will resume his bid to be crowned world champion.

However, while England’s stars will doubtless have been pampered ahead of their friendly in Norway, Holder’s build up to the Swedish Grand Prix has been hectic.

The Australian ace is in the middle of a gruelling 21-day period which will see him ride 16 meetings at 14 venues across five different countries.

Holder will take to the track for tonight’s Swedish Grand Prix in Gothenburg having already raced this week in Poland, Sweden, Wolverhampton, Poole and Birmingham.

“I wouldn’t change it for the world,” said Holder, partner to girlfriend Sealy and father to eight-week-old son Max. “It is tough but that’s the price you pay to be at the top of your sport. I’ve got no complaints.”

Having banked a paid 15-point maximum riding for Polish club Torun on Sunday, Holder then led Pirates to Knockout Cup victory at Wolverhampton just 24 hours later.

He rode for Swedish League outfit Piraterna in Stockholm on Tuesday before flying back to Stansted to prepare for Poole’s Elite League clashes at home to Peterborough on Wednesday and at Birmingham on Thursday.

“It is difficult and you need to be organised,” said the 24-year-old Sydneysider who lives in Bearwood. “Flying back and forth all the time is hard and the travelling can get you down.

“You get home at stupid hours and have to sleep at different times to make sure you are as fresh as you can be for meetings.

“It is always good to get home. I get looked after by Sealy and can lie on the couch and watch television!

“It takes a couple of years to get used to the lifestyle. Eating is a big thing because not many places are open when you travel late at night or early in the morning, apart from petrol stations. I try not to eat too much junk food and wait until I get home. So far, it has been good and I’ve looked after myself and done the right things.”

While Holder is one of the biggest earners in the sport, potentially picking up a cool £25,000-£30,000 per week depending on his scoring power, he probably grosses in a year as much as England footballer John Terry does in a fortnight.

However, unlike Terry et al, a large proportion of Holder’s income is drained by his vast expenditure, like accommodation, flights, engines and mechanics. Much of his riding equipment is funded by sponsors.

Holder will race around 90 meetings in the year, the majority taking place between April and August. He is currently sixth in the GP standings – nine points behind leader Jason Crump – having topped the podium at the European Grand Prix in Leszno four weeks ago.

“I am happy,” said Holder. “You can’t have too many bad GPs but it is not easy to have a good one either. This is my third year and I am learning all the time.

“I have probably put a bit more into it this year and it has been good so far but you can quite easily go down so I’m not looking too far ahead.”