League Medic Issue 2

Issue 2: Autumn 2012

The official magazine

of the League Medical Association

Everything is all Wright for Derek

We meet up with football’s longest serving “medic”

Contract Killers Tackling a thorny issue of contracts and the legacy of times gone by

Sports science focus

An in-depth look at Glasgow Rangers

Compliant EEC 93/42 Directive

Contents Welcome 4 A message from our CEO/CV Updates

Editorials 5 Touchline Rants/ Diary Dates 6 Cover Story Everything is all Wright for Derek

8 Contract killers 10 Clubs on track for EPPP? 13 NWFA Awards 15 Sports science focus Glasgow Rangers

Features 16 New LMedA committee 18 New partnership announcements

Editor’s letter been the club physio at Newcastle United for the last 27 years – an incredible achievement in a profession where people rarely stay at the same club for more than a few seasons.

Our CEO Eamonn Salmon met up with Derek last month to find out the secrets of staying in the job for so long (page 6).

With the season now in full swing, we take a look at how club medics are managing to implement EPPP. Grant Downie from the Man City academy, shares his thoughts on page 10 & 11.

Welcome to the second issue of Football Medic. The name may have We’d love to hear your news and views, as well as your feedback on the changed but we definitely haven’t changed our ethos, which is to bring first two issues of the magazine. Please send your emails to info@lmeda. you all of the cutting edge news co.uk and, who knows, we could be from the exciting world of football featuring you in issue 3! medicine.

Our cover star this issue is the irrepressible Derek Wright, who has

Janine

Football Medic Magazine E: info@lmeda.co.uk T: (01282)614505 Gisburn Road W: www.lmeda.co.uk Barrowford twitter.com/LeagueMedAssoc Lancs BB9 8PT Editor

Janine Nelson

22 Vibrosphere

Chief Executive Officer

Eamonn Salmon

23 On the Couch with…

Senior Administrator

Lindsay McGlynn

Administrator IT

Nicola Holly

Francis Joseph

Design

Red-Fern Media Solutions

Marketing/Advertising

Charles Whitney

20 Product News

Dr Jerry Hill

25 Medico-legal 26 Blast from the past

Courses 29 Physio UK 30 HE Seminars 31 Welbeing

www.red-fern.co.uk (01582) 659555

Buxton Press Limited Published by

Palace Road Buxton Derbyshire SK17 6AE

© League Medical Association. All Rights reserved.

No part of this pulication may be reproduced or trasmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a retreval system without prior written permission except as permited under the Copyright Designs Patents Act 1988. Application for permission for use pf copyright material shall be made to LmedA.

3

Message from the office

Welcome

A message from the office

Have any of you noticed the name change for the magazine…. quick look… and yes. Football Medic heads the page. The astute amongst you might recall the first issue ran under the title of “League Medic” but we have quickly decided on a change.

What’s in a name you might ask

but the answer is everything.

Initially the name “League Medic” was designed to open the potential to bring other sports in to the fold with regard to material and therefore had to be of a generic nature in order to have appeal.

However, such is the response we have had from you all that we have decided to keep this entirely football specific. That is not to say we won’t introduce material featuring other sports as we most definitely will if it’s appropriate.

Indeed we would welcome it.

It’s just that “Football Medic” says who we are and what we are about and has a much stronger resonance to it.

You will see in the following pages that our committee has re-shaped a little. I am personally proud to have gathered together

such a prestigious and highly regarded group which will now be pivotal in steering LMedA in the direction it needs to go. I may have helped set up the foundations but it is they and you that will now determine where we go from here. After all it is you out there on the ground that are aware of the issues that concern us and where improvements can be made.

Finally, did you guess the veteran amongst us? To stay in the game for so long under so many managers says an awful lot about someone. Congratulations are in order to Derek Wright on this remarkable achievement.

Any chance of a testimonial!!

Eamonn Salmon

CEO, League Medical Association

CV Update for Members As we continue to look for ways to help our members we have recently agreed an arrangement whereby those of you who are unfortunate enough to lose their positions can have their CVs professionally reviewed and re-designed free of charge.

Most of us don’t bother updating our CVs and when we most need it find that it needs a total re-vamp.

These days a CV that is professionally considered and designed is a must when seeking new employment and we want to help in any way we can to get you back in the game or to find another post as soon as possible.

For those of you who just want to update or get your CVs in order anyway, please contact the office and we will put you in touch with the company involved who have agreed a massive discount on this service.

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Touchline Rants

Editorials

BY PITCHSIDE PETE I have a simple theory regarding the different colours of football boots nowadays…

Diary Dates

If you’re as good a player as Messi, Rooney or Ronaldo, you can wear whatever colour boots you want to.

But coloured boots on medical staff? It’s a straight no from me!

The medical team are meant to

be the dependable, no-nonsense and (dare I say) intelligent members of the football club – respected by everyone.

Wearing a pair of ‘bling’ boots should be left to players talented enough to wear them.

I have seen physios wearing different coloured boots on each foot to represent the colours of

16th October 2012

the team he worked for! At first it’s quite funny…until he has to run on when his team are losing heavily. Then it looks a bit sad.

So next time, when the kitman gets you measured up for your new pair of boots – leave the flashy boots to the mouthy players…and choose yourself a simple pair of black ones.

EUSSER International Shoulder Symposium British library Conference Centre, Euston, London www.welbeing-cpd.cp.uk

12th November 2012

North west football awards Lancashire County Cricket Ground, Manchester www.northwestfootballawards.com

19th December 2012

World football academy:uk (UK Football… back to the future) Emirates Stadium , Arsenal FC www.worldfootballacademy.co.uk

20th March 2013

Running: Lower limb tendon injuries Kettering Conference centre www.professionalevents.co.uk

20th - 21st April 2013

Multi-displinary Team, The Success Factor St. Georges Park, Burton www.heseminars.com

20th-22nd April 2013

Football Medicine Strategies for Muscle & Tendon Injuries London www.footballmedicinestrategies.com

22nd April 2013

Science in Football Summit Wembley Stadium www.footballmedicinestrategies.com

Advertise your conference or event here!

Contact info@lmeda.co.uk for more information

5

Derek Wright

Editorials

Everything is all Wright

LMedA’s CEO Eamonn Salmon met up with Derek Wright to discover the secret of his longevity in the game and whether or not he had any plans to retire in the near future.

It’s now some 17 years since I last met Newcastle United’s stalwart physiotherapist, but within seconds it was as though we had never lost touch.

The familiarity was probably due to the fact that he still looks the same as he did all those years ago - same build, that familiar bald look (which incidentally I told him was now back in fashion!) and that same big Geordie grin.

Ironically in this issue we have featured an article about Bertie Mee who worked through the 60s as Arsenal’s “therapist”. Seems to me like Derek took over where Bertie left off.

I was surprised to learn that Derek was actually an apprentice at Arsenal aged 16 but, on leaving the club, Fred

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Street, then Arsenal’s physiotherapist, suggested he consider looking at the medical side of things such was his enthusiasm for football. Derek duly took up this advice and enrolled at Pinderfields to train as a Remedial Gymnast. He explains: “I think this background of training helped me a lot in my early career as it was largely exercise based so suited the football environment. I later undertook the conversion course to physiotherapy while working in my first footballing role at Fulham between 1981-1984.”

Following these three years at Craven Cottage, Derek returned to his home town club under Jack Charlton, and so began the remarkable career that has seen him span four decades at the Tyneside club.

“Like everyone in those early years I was the only member of the medical staff. I think for the first 10 years I never had a day off work, and recall

that Sunday afternoon was my only time away from the club. We did everything then apart from driving the team bus - first team games, reserve games, training every day, all the warm-ups, booking hotels and arranging pre-match meals. It was full-on. Still I loved every minute, particularly during the more successful eras of Bobby Robson and Keegan.”

Indeed it was the latter who called “Deggsy”, as he is known, and told him to get an assistant. Twenty years on and there is upward of 15 staff making up the medical team.

Derek says: “The doctors, physios, sports scientists, sports therapists and masseurs all work closely here at the club. We have a great camaraderie and bounce off each other with that Geordie humour. I think that is the key to a successful medical team and we work hard to maintain that bond between us.”

Derek Wright

Being so long in the game has thrown up one or two unusual scenarios that few others will experience. “I remember treating youngsters here who have then gone on to become managers here as well, most notably Glenn Roeder and Alan Shearer. I guess it’s a bit strange but having known them for so long, when we are away from the players we are more like friends.”

Then there are the moments of hilarity to recall, such as when the irrepressible Gazza, who Derek had as an apprentice to clean the medical room, failed to show. “One day he went missing and I couldn’t find the blighter. I looked all over for him as I knew he was skiving his work. Found him eventually hidden in one of the industrial dryers with his face pressed up to the window! I fined him of course, couple of quid and he actually went carol singing near the training

Editorials

for Derek

How football’s longest serving medic has survived three decades in the same job.

ground to get the money. It was July!!” Gazza, he laughs, “still calls in occasionally”.

So, what’s the secret then to staying in the game and seeing 16 managers come and go? “It’s down to hard work really,” Derek explains. “Keeping your head down and keeping up to date with courses and studying continuously to keep up to speed.”

And how does it feel to be football’s longest serving “medic”? “I’m proud really,” he says, “I feel fortunate to have lasted so long and hate it when I hear that colleagues at other clubs have been sacked.

That’s why LMedA is so important now, providing support and somewhere to turn to when the worst happens. I’ve enrolled

all my staff with them.”

For those few who are hard at his heels thinking they might last longer in the game than Derek, a word of warning. If you thought there was a chance that he might soon retire, think again. “I love it here and have no plans to move on, I will probably stay as long as they will have me.”

And his short-term plan? To improve his own fitness and start running on the pitch again!!

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Contracts

Editorials

Contract Killers The League Medical Association (LMedA) is the representative body of medical, science and exercise personnel in professional football. Not yet 18 months in, they are already tackling a thorny issue which is a legacy of times gone by.

Well the answer is probably “yes” to all of them.

Russell Jones & Walker, lawyers to the League Managers Association (LMA), have been instrumental in developing and working with the LMA over many years to design a “recommended” contract for all managers.

Using Russell Jones & Walker’s Having handled over 30 cases of experience in this field, LMedA has dismissals in the past 12 months, LMedA and their legal partners Russell managed to leapfrog much of the groundwork and have now already Jones & Walker can rightly claim established a framework for medical/ to be the experts when it comes to contracts of employment for medical/ science staff contracts. This is a work in progress but that progress is science personnel in professional certainly being made. football. One of the by-products of Very soon members will be entitled conducting contract appraisals and to have a sample of this contract dealing with these dismissals is the drawn up on their behalf which they opportunity to see exactly what type can then: of “contracts” are out there. It will probably come as no shock for you to learn that some of the ones we a) Present to the club to be have seen are actually receptionists’ used verbatim. contracts with “Receptionist” crossed out and some have been managers’ b) Give contract to clubs in contracts with the word “Manager” replaced! order that it may be used as Believe it or not even these days a guideline in writing the there are many medical professionals club’s own contract. out there working with no contract in place at all. Why does this go on you c) Be used by members as might ask? Well it’s a lasting legacy a comparable tool when of a time when it never seemed to considering a club contract matter from an employee’s point of view. Medical staff? Contract? Err… that is given to you. just bat on and we will get around to sorting something out later. And as far as we medics are concerned, well, we A contract, of course, should be have just landed a dream job and we fair to all parties but, in reality, where don’t want to rock the boat now do there are no templates out there, errors we? (costly ones at that) can be made In dealing with this issue several which only come to light when things questions about contracts have been go wrong for one or other party. raised., such as “how important are This is why we have made it a they?”, “Are they worth the paper they priority to get something in place on are written on?” “Are they sometimes behalf of our members and why we are biased in favour of the club?” “Are working towards setting guidelines in there inappropriate clauses in there this and other areas of our work. that can trip us up?”

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The following are some general points which we have asked members to pay attention to in the meantime: The first thing is to get urgent advice from LMedA and their solicitors Russell Jones & Walker, a part of Slater & Gordon lawyers. Call LMedA as soon as you are offered a new contract, either in a new job or a new contract in your existing role. If your proposed employment contract is drafted by the club, they are likely to aim to ensure that the contract protects the club’s interests first and foremost. Once the contract is signed, even if it is grossly unfair, it will usually become binding upon you. You will be assumed to have read, understood and fully agreed to each term and its consequences and will not normally be able to change any terms without the club’s consent. This is why it’s crucial to fully understand what you are committing to and to seek expert advice and negotiate on any concerns before you sign anything.

You should start by asking for a copy of the draft contract. If the club suggests a deadline for signing, make sure that it gives you enough time to have a proper look and time to get legal advice. There is no reason why you should be forced into signing a contract without time for proper advice. It will be far more difficult to change the contract after it is signed.

The club will have no incentive to agree to a modification to its disadvantage. It’s much better to ask for amendments when your employer is keen for you to join the club rather than a few matches into the season.

The main issues that you should look out for are:

Salary benefits and bonuses You should check that the salary reflects what you have been promised, including increased salary figures for

Contracts

Editorials

promotion and that you are satisfied with the figures. If benefits are part of the package that was on the table, the benefits (private health insurance, pension, car etc) should also be clearly set out in the contract. If you have been offered bonuses on top of basic salary, these should be carefully checked, particularly issues such as the date of payment and what happens if your employment ends early.

You should check your duties carefully as clubs and employees can often fall out over this.

Period of Contracts/Rights on Termination Unfortunately this is probably the most important clause of all. First ensure that the notice period or minimum term of the contract is sufficiently long to protect you with a decent pay-out if you are dismissed before the end of the term. You should be looking for a notice period which is as long as possible, as a minimum six months should be sought. This is a crucial way to protect you from dismissal, not least because unfair dismissal rights only start after two years of complete service and there is usually a cap of around £70,000 on unfair dismissal awards.

Beware a term which looks like it is for a fixed period but in fact is terminable within that fixed period, i.e. a fixed term of two years but within the two-year period terminable upon one month’s notice.

Secondly, consider whether there should be a guaranteed payment agreed in advance to cover dismissal to reduce often messy arguments about “mitigation” which means the period of time it should reasonably take you to get another job. This can make it a lot clearer and simpler for everyone if your employment ends early.

Thirdly, try to ensure that the club’s rights in the contract covering the situation where another club comes in for you (and a payment to the club is required to release you) are broadly equivalent to your rights if you are dismissed. Some clubs have a habit of

asking staff to sign wildly unbalanced and unfair contracts. Remember the bigger the pay-out required to the existing club, the less likely a bigger club may come in for you.

Finally ensure that the circumstances in which the club can dismiss you without notice are very limited and cover gross misconduct only and not for example any breach of your contract or wide situations such as “anything which in the club’s opinion may bring the club into disrepute”. Such clauses are unreasonable and major hostages to fortune.

The club will require you to give proper notice if you wish to resign

cure. It is crucial that you check carefully your contract and try to amend it to suit your best interests before signing it. Please contact LMedA for advice before signing a new contract, whereupon you will get expert advice from the LMedA and their legal team.

All sound general advice to take heed of given the ambiguous nature of current contracts out there.

But the idea behind addressing this topic goes beyond the detail. We as medical people need to get savvy on this and other issues. It is not in our general nature to even want to discuss matters like this at the best of times.

Our interests lie in our patients -the

early, bear in mind that if you do not do so and if you leave without completing your notice period, the Club can claim compensation for breach of contract and might ask you to reimburse the costs of hiring urgently a temporary replacement.

Some employment contracts include a payment in lieu of notice clause. This may prevent you from using an advantageous tax regime when you negotiate a settlement upon the termination of your employment.

It may seem unduly pessimistic to think about what could go wrong when you have not even started your new job. But remember that prevention is far more effective than

players- and matters such as contracts are something best left for the admin staff to sort out - even more so when we enter a world that beyond the treatment room is alien to us.

Showing that we are now up to speed and prepared to stand up for ourselves will benefit everyone. Not least the Clubs who will no longer have to use a receptionists contract because they don`t have one for us !

Alongside this RJW are continuing to review any member’s contract free of charge and at any time to ensure nothing will emerge in the future that you might be unaware of.

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Clubs on track for EPPP?

Editorials

Clubs on track for

EPPP?

Football Medic spoke to Grant Downie, head of sports medicine at the Manchester City Academy.

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Clubs on track for EPPP?

Editorials

A year has passed since the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) was accepted by the Premier & Football League.

In October last year, 72 member clubs gave their approval to the new youth development scheme (22 opposed it), which aims to increase the number and quality of homegrown players gaining professional contracts in the clubs and playing first-team football at the highest level. It includes a new four-tier academy system with the highest rated academies being able to sign the best players and command the largest fees.

So how are medical professionals in the sport adapting to the new changes?

Football Medic spoke to Grant Downie, head of sports medicine at the Manchester City Academy.

“Prior to coming to the Man City Academy, I worked with the first teams and academies at Glasgow Rangers and Middlesborough FC,” he explains. “Part of my remit when I came here was to oversee the implementation of EPPP using it as a basic benchmark for future policies and procedures. However, I was very fortunate that we don’t have significant amounts to change. Most things were already in place. It’s more about formalising things into proper policies and planning a little bit more, things like injury management and rehabilitation, adequate medical cover at games and tournaments, travel policy, risk assessments and so on.

It’s about having a multi-disciplinary approach to the player development rather than being coach-led only.”

The academy deals with children and young scholars from the ages of six up to 21, which Grant admits can be extremely challenging.

He says: “You can be working with a stroppy young child whose body awareness is not very good, so you therefore need to spend a lot of time educating them about what is sore and what they can play with. They can suffer from growth-related injuries and are a developing person rather than

3D movement. No one knows yet what the outcome of that will be at the clubs…..

“Today’s children are being driven to training by their parents rather than walking or cycling there and I’m quite sure that a lot of boys are not as physically robust as they could be, or as they would have been a generation ago.

“EPPP is a great idea but I do think this could be one of the drawbacks and, when the Premier League ask for feedback, that is what I will be raising. Our aim is to produce players to play in the first team or whom we can sell as assets, and we don’t want to lose any of them to preventable injury. I have seen many child protégés who, by the age of 26, are burnt-out or have developed long“Our philosophy is that we are term injury patterns which lead to trying not only to produce great significant time loss.” footballers but great people too,” However, Grant hopes that the says Grant. “It’s a great opportunity implementation of EPPP will have a to develop as a person as well as a positive effect on sports medicine and footballer.” sports science as a whole.

Finally, Professional Development “The idea of raising standards of covers the 17 to 21-year-olds. medical care and sports science can Grant is a big supporter of EPPP only be a good thing. We should and is happy to embrace the changes, embrace the good for sure as there although there is one possible pitfall of is plenty of it in EPPP. I’m sure in the new scheme that he has concerns for. time there could be more and better He explains: “I do think playing jobs for the profession as a whole,” only one sport is not good for all he continues. “I’m fortunate to have round physical development. A lot of spent 24 years of my career in football these kids in the academies now are working at a senior level of the game. training & playing too much football Working within an academy requires a in my opinion and I believe it could different skill set and should be viewed lead to a lack of all round physical as a speciality in its own right. development. This could lead to injury “EPPP will hopefully offer all patterns later in their career. There’s medical disciplines a great career not a lot of multi-sport activity, such opportunity, rather than being seen as P.E., swimming, rock climbing and as stepping stone to working with the badminton, which helps develop your first team.” an established adult so you do need a different skill set. I’m finding it a great & an exciting challenge.”

The Foundation stage of the academy looks after the six to 11-yearolds but the medical team has very little contact with this group. Adds Grant: “It’s mostly about having advice sheets and questionnaires for parents, plus we always have a physiotherapist on duty at all of the training sessions.

We like this age group to be as independent as possible.”

Youth Development covers the 12 to 16-year-olds and Manchester City currently funds 30 scholars through full-time private schooling in the city, allowing them to gain a good education whilst also working on their football every day.

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Northwest Football Awards

Editorials

LMedA on judging panel for NWFA As a recognised “hot bed” of football it comes as no surprise to find some big names and celebrities will be attending the Northwest Football Awards in early November. Now into its fifth year, this event has become firmly seated in the sporting awards calendar and this year’s event will definitely be the best yet. Why can we say that?

Because for the very first time, a medical/science category has been introduced to the agenda.

This is long overdue recognition for the vital role we play and finally highlights the importance our contribution makes to the game. Ever

the quiet ones, medical teams and individuals do not search the limelight but go about their tasks with the professionalism and expertise that is their trademark.

But… we think it is about time we raised our profile and embrace recognition when it is due!

LMedA are delighted to team up with the NWFA organisers and have been asked to nominate five members to be considered who have made that special contribution in their professional careers in football.

We are looking forward to a great evening and will grasp this opportunity to let everyone know that LMedA are your voice and your representative body in football.

The nominees are:

Dr Peter Brukner Barry Drust Dave Fevre Andy Mitchell Rob Swire

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Sports Science

Editorials

In spite of relegation into the Scottish Third Division, the sports science department of Glasgow Rangers retains its world class status.

Having gained the highest qualification in the game, Adam Owen has everything he needs to be a boss in his own right – but his heart is set on working behind the scenes to take Gers to another level in the area he knows best. Adam Owen has worked for 15 years to earn the qualifications that allow him to manage any football club in the world. But instead he aims to use his UEFA Pro Licence to build on the advances he has made since he joined Rangers in 2007 and become a leading figure in sports science within the game.

Still just 31, Owen gained the most prestigious badge European coaches can get when he was presented with it two months ago in Cardiff.

That followed a rigorous learning programme lasting two years and marked the culmination of his rise as a coach which began when he was just a YTS player with Wrexham.

As a teenager, Owen joined the Welsh club straight from school and his claim to fame back then was that he was Ian Rush’s boot boy.

But as part of his training, he also worked on his C licence which gave

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him a platform for the future and unearthed an interest in coaching which had previously lain dormant.

While his ambitions as a player with Chester City and in the League of Wales were ultimately unfulfilled, he has been more successful elsewhere.

Owen went back to Wrexham in his early twenties to work at their youth academy under Brian Flynn and introduced the same methods he applies at Murray Park now a decade ago.

Indeed, as he combined his day job with a sports science degree, a clear desire to keep furthering himself which is still evident today was emerging.

After he reached A licence level, he moved to Celtic and it was there he met Kenny McDowall, the man who would later recommend the Ibrox side moved to appoint him.

A further spell followed at Sheffield Wednesday as their head of fitness and rehabilitation before that return to Glasgow was confirmed shortly after Walter Smith rejoined Gers.

In the time since, Owen has started the club’s sports science department from scratch and built it up to be one

of the best in Britain.

He has scoured the continent for tips and advice from other heavyweights such as AC Milan and Real Madrid as he has sought to bring standards up at Auchenhowie.

And in truth, his stock has never been higher so if the chance came to become his own man, he would be equipped to do it and ready for that challenge.

As it is, however, his only focus is on improving things further at Gers so that he can edge them ever closer to the continent’s elite both on and off the park.

Owen is currently undertaking a doctorate through publication via Claude Bernard University in Lyon and has already had two papers printed. When you consider most people who achieve what he is setting out to do at present usually only do so when they are in their forties, he has a good start on them.

And while Owen could be forgiven for thinking of a glamorous role in management, it’s behind the scenes on the academic side of the game that his thoughts are trained.

He said: “Most people who work

Sports Science

Editorials

in football harbour some kind of ambition to go on and do a bit more in the game. “I’m no different and I’d like to have a go at management myself one day but it’s a difficult one for me to weigh up. “I’m enjoying what I’m doing at the moment, I like the role I have got and we have built something here over a period of time that’s better than what happens at most English clubs.

“Even with all their financial clout, we’ve had people wanting to come up and have a look at what we do and that’s quite rewarding.

“As opposed to us going down to them, it’s the other way around and we are definitely making progress.

“When I first arrived here, I had an idea of how I wanted to set things up and we aren’t too far away from it now which is good. “We started from scratch back then but have progressed things so much in the last four years and we’re at a stage now where the

benefits of what we are doing are showing through.

“There will always be other things we can work on and I’ve seen that from going to clubs such as AC Milan and Real Madrid to analyse their methods and approaches. “Milan have 20 people in their lab and it’s the same in Spain, whereas there are four of us spread across the first team, reserves and youths.

“We’ll never get to the same level as those clubs unless we invest heavily but I’m quite proud of the fact we’ve implemented some good strategies with the resources we have. “If what we do helps a player give that one or two per cent extra that makes enough of a difference to win a game, that’s fantastic. If you do that with a whole team, even better. “Where we are from a sports science aspect at the club, there are still things we can do to make it better and I’ve got further ambitions on that front.

“I want to keep taking things on to a higher level. I enjoy getting out to conferences, seminars and hearing other peoples’ ideas and that was one of the reasons for doing the Pro Licence.

“Yes, I could go on to be a manager but it was more about developing my knowledge of aspects of the game so that it might help me bring in more from a sports science perspective.

“I’ve taken a pretty specific career path and having got to where I am, I want to keep taking things in the same direction and go further and further in my field.

“It’s a case of continued development and my aim is to become a leader in what I’m doing at the moment.”

It is of great credit to Owen that he has managed to develop things so much in his area of expertise over what is a relatively short period of time in reality. But as he states, he hasn’t

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Sports Science

Editorials

done it alone and with assistance from colleagues Gary Sherriff, Jamie Ramsden and Gordon Dunlop, it has been very much a team effort. Owen is unlikely to ever have the same number of staff working for him that his counterparts at European football’s more decorated clubs have.

Thanks to an open-minded approach towards his work from management team Ally McCoist, McDowall and Ian Durrant – all fellow Pro Licence holders – he may not need them anyway.

Owen added: “Gary has been working with us for two years now after helping us initially when he worked for the Scottish Rugby Union.

“Jamie dips in and out of the first team and Gordon has done a really good job with some of the testing and monitoring stuff we do.

“I feel we’ve got a great structure in place now where we are trying to constantly keep on top of the players from every perspective. “We look at their recovery, physical performance and everything else and without the guys who are backing me, I wouldn’t be able to do half the stuff I can.

“I’ve got a vision of how I think a sports science structure should run within a football club and we are

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for what he does is helping to take football in a new direction in the 21st century.

And Owen said: “Having the Pro Licence allows me to understand where my role as a sports scientist fits in with regards to the holistic approach to football, conditioning and training.

“Working as closely as I do with Kenny and the other members of the coaching staff is a big thing.

“He has always allowed me to implement things I feel are right to do, which makes life a lot easier for me. getting closer to it but there are always “Having come from a football other things you can add in. “Sadly background anyway, I’ve got more of that takes extra investment which isn’t an understanding of how the game always possible but the biggest thing is and sports science work together. getting the balance right.

“I also maybe get the ear of the “The great thing for me is the coaches a little bit more than a sports coaches have really bought into what I’m trying to preach. They understand scientist who hasn’t been involved in football before would do. That augers the reasons for doing certain things. well.

“A lot of clubs are seeing the “They know I’ll have the players benefits of increasing the number doing more football-specific exercises, of support staff for the sake of individualising players’ structures and whereas someone else who doesn’t really understand the nature of the you couldn’t do what we do on your game might not do that. own.

“The Pro Licence is more about the “Our job as a department management side of things and there is to maximise the football are different modules on it that lean in capabilities of the players and as that direction.

“Of course, it touches on styles a group, we work very hard to of play, philosophies and dealing do that.” with players, the board, budgets and everything else to do with how a club Unsurprisingly, Owen was one of operates. the youngest people to obtain a Pro “But some of the subjects covered Licence and doing the course helped include psychology, preparation and him appreciate the importance of his the monitoring of players over a role within the game more. Perhaps period of time, so the sports science more crucially, it also allowed those aspect features quite heavily.” he did it with who are from more Owen clearly relishes the challenges traditional football backgrounds to gain more of an understanding of the he is faced with on a day to day basis as he continually adapts to the subject. unpredictable way the body reacts to Increased knowledge and respect

Sports Science

Editorials

certain things. And in recent weeks, he has been pushed to the limits as seeing a string of first-team stars go away to play with their countries has put him in an unenviable position.

There have been four international breaks so far this season and as well as nipping momentum in the bud on the park for Rangers, they have caused problems off it too. Factors such as travel can have a major impact on how able or otherwise someone is to perform the way they can and should on a football pitch.

Owen added: “Those points are always quite difficult because you’ve got a lot of players coming from different situations.

“Some will feel quite fresh whereas others such as the American boys or Matt McKay might well have come back to us off the back of a long flight home.

“My challenge is to get everyone back to the same level by the time we play again and the key is to get everyone back into a good physical and mental state again.

“Irrespective of whether half the group trains one day and the other half doesn’t, as long as they’re all at the same place and in the same state by kick off that’s what counts.

“They don’t necessarily have to be doing the same thing to get there.

Sometimes it is better for a player not to train than for him to overwork himself.

“It is pointless making someone work hard if they are in a state of fatigue because that’s when the likelihood of injuries is increased.

“There are coaches in the game who maybe don’t understand why it can be better not to involve someone in a session.

“Again, the Pro Licence can show why that’s the case and

waves other such people including Jose Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas have done before him. But there are parallels between their own careers and Owen’s and he takes plenty of heart from their successes as he looks to create more of his own in the future.

He said: “They never played the game at any great level but they have “The first day back after shown that you don’t necessarily an international period can have to do that to be a success on the definitely be among the toughest coaching side.

“I take a lot of encouragement days in the job. from what they have achieved as I “It’s quite often the case that you’ve look to make the same sort of strides got two days to prepare everyone for myself. a game when they’re coming into the “You get some guys who are good build-up from all sorts of angles.” players but not good managers and It isn’t just Rangers Owen is some who are as good on the sidelines making strides with. His work at as they were on the park.

Murray Park has alerted his country “Likewise, there are some hopeless too and he was recently asked by players who are really good at manager Gary Speed to work with his coaching and the two don’t always go Wales squad. hand in hand.

Their run of four wins in their “I’ve had good opportunities to see last five games has been partly down different managers working and I’m to the new man’s presence and it has always picking up new things from the been pleasing for him to make his own coaching staff here. mark on the international stage.

“Hopefully they are taking As someone who has never played something from me too because I’m the game at a particularly high level, trying to get them doing things people Owen iscertainly bucking the trend. in football haven’t always done in the He might not be making the same past.”

through testing and monitoring we can establish the best things to do with players rather than simply keep working them.

“Some players will need extra time to recover while others will be able to get straight back into the hard work.

That’s life and it’s just the way it is.

Reproducd with kind permisson of Glasgow Rangers

17

Committee reformed

Features

LMedA Committee reformed

In making terrific progress in such a short space of time the need for a definitive and highly respected committee to represent LMedA became ever more pressing. It was also clear that all disciplines needed to be represented in that group.

With the foundations of LMedA now firmly in place we are looking to our members and our committee to steer us forward in addressing those issues that concern us and making the most of this opportunity to determine our own future in the game.

Professor Graham Smith

Qualifying as a physiotherapist in 1977 Graham went on to lecture in physiotherapy before taking up a post at Glasgow Rangers FC. He has worked extensively in athletics with national teams and at the Olympics and was responsible for establishing Lilleshall as the FA’s Rehabilitation and Sports Injury Centre in 1986. Still a visiting Professor at Teeside University and lecturer at Trinity College, Dublin, Graham somehow found the time to set up the Society of Sports Therapists and continues as their chairman to this day. Vastly experienced and held in high regard by the football fraternity amongst us, Graham is a key figure in sports medicine often consulting to the FA.

Wayne Diesel

Wayne is currently Head of Medical Services at Tottenham Hotspur where he has been in position since 2007. Originally from South Africa he is a qualified Physiotherapist, has a degree in Sports Science and a PhD in Exercise Physiology.

Wayne has experience working in athletics (Olympics and Commonwealth Games) as well as Rugby with Gloucester. He is one of few physiotherapists to head up the entire “medical” department at a club and is in constant demand for lecturing at Conferences and events.

Darren Burgess

Another Australian to “visit” the Premier League, Darren is currently Head of Fitness and Conditioning at Liverpool FC. Joining in 2010 Darren is much thought of by his peers and the players he works with. With extensive experience at national level with various Australian teams, he is currently mid-way through a PhD and continues to enjoy a highly respected profile here alongside his colleagues in sports science.

Garry Armer

Gary has worked in massage and soft tissue therapy for the past 15 years in professional football. Beginning his career at Liverpool FC he has now been part of the 1st team set up at Manchester United for over 10 years. Gary is also a board member and representative of the Sports Massage Association and will be key in representing them and his colleagues currently at clubs and in the wider sporting community.

Chris Barnes

Having headed up the design and delivery of the sports science department at Middlesbrough for over 10 years Chris is known to many in the professional game. With a BSc and MSc amongst his credits and a background lecturing, Chris is now a Consultant in applied sports science and currently is involved with West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United amongst others. Chris also has an extensive portfolio of published material making him a much sought after practitioner of his discipline.

18

Committee reformed

Features

Dave Fevre

Currently leading the medical set up at Blackburn Rovers where he has been for the past 13 years. Dave has worked with a number of clubs most notably Manchester United 1994 – 1999 and Wigan Rugby League, Leigh Rugby Club and Great Britain Rugby League. One of the “seniors” amongst us, Dave finds the time to lecture extensively at home and abroad and is currently involved in several research projects.

Jason Palmer

Currently Head of Physiotherapy and Therapy Services at Chelsea FC, Jason worked with several Australian national teams before joining and heading up the medical department at Fulham in 2001. A move to Stamford Bridge followed in 20008 where Jason plays a huge part in working with over 20 staff. Highly regarded this affable Aussie has been key to the success of the medical set-up at Chelsea which in itself is the benchmark for others to attain.

Steve Feldman

A GP and orthopaedic physician who is well known in the football world having worked in the game for over 25 years. Beginning his involvement at Bradford City, Steve went on to spend 14 years at Leeds United as medical officer before taking up his current post at Huddersfield Town. A knowledgeable doctor in the field of sports medicine with a wealth of experience, Steve has also works with the England youth teams on a regular basis.

Grant Downie

Qualifying as a physiotherapist in 1984, Grant spent three years in the NHS before moving to Lilleshall in 1987 where he worked with may elite athletes. A move to Glasgow Rangers to head up their medical team followed and after eight years north of the border Grant returned to Middlesbrough to take up a similar post. Ever approachable with vast experience, this summer saw a move to head up the Sports Medicine Department at Manchester City Academy.

Rob Price

After a five year spell working for the FA, Rob joined Liverpool FC in the summer of 2005 as their lead physiotherapist. Much thought of by players and staff he has been a valuable member of the medical team there for the past seven years before leaving the club this summer. Rob continues to work with the FA and the England set up and has recently taken up a new post as Head of Medical Services at Hull City FC.

Premier League Dr

Following a meeting with the Premier League Doctors Association on October 8th it is hoped that we can complete the committee by appointing a representative from this group.

19

Business Partnerships

Features

New Partnership Announcements

As part of our expanding commercial and marketing strategies, LMedA are delighted to announce partnerships with the following companies. These business relationships will be of benefit to both LMedA and you the member and we are delighted to have so many keen to come on board with us.

FC Business

“We are very pleased to be partnering with the League Medical Association. This is a new and progressive organisation aimed at ensuring the highest quality care is provided to its many members in a way the LMA does for football league Managers.”

Ryan McKnight, FC Business

Oporto Sports

Already working with internationally renowned names in Professional Football, Oporto Sports were keen to link up with LMedA having recognised the ethos and ambitions behind the association. “LMedA is already playing an essential role in football and we are keen to promote this and work for the long term with LMedA and its members.

Dean Eldredge, Director Oporto Sports

World Football Academy : UK

The WFA aims to provide coaches, staff and practitioners worldwide the opportunity to become educated in all the football related areas of expertise and speaking the same football language.

With some of the world’s best coaches football specific symposia, conferences and courses will appeal to LMedA members.

Rays of Sunshine

Our nominated charity, this organisation provides opportunities for terminally ill children to fulfil their wishes and we believe this is something that will resonate with our members. We are in a position to offer opportunities for some of these children to visit a club and can make good use of this to help the organisation fulfil some of these wishes.

Charles Whitney

Charles Whitney have actually been at the heart of LMedA for the past 12 months, advising on marketing strategies and developing the commercial/business sector relations. “We are indebted to all at Charles Whitney for their unswerving support and guidance this past year. We are delighted to have them now firmly on board as our Business Partner”.

SAQ

Known to many of our members through their products and educational material, SAQ are an internationally recognised company working with the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Manchester United and West Ham. Market leaders in their field they are have exciting new products which will be of interest to our members.

RS Scan Lab

RS Scan Lab are at the forefront of technology in terms of gait and related analysis and have worked with many elite athletes and sportsmen and women. Their state of the art foot scan facility is considered the best of its kind and uses advanced technologies to assess biomechanics in the lower limb.

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Product News

Features

Product News Coloured Sock Tape Premier Sock Tape Extra Stretch has been developed for sports specific use by using a unique soft polyvinylchloride material that has extra stretch properties helping to reduce the tourniquet effect that reduces blood supply into active muscles.

Comes in a variety of colours that will match the team socks and keep the referee happy.

Available in 19mm navy, yellow, black, orange, white, red, green and sky blue (33m long). Also available in 38mm red, white, black and blue (20m long).

Mueller M-tape colours and Coloured Cohesive also in stock – Selling fast!

Fit4Sport LTD, Park Lane, Royton, Oldham, OL2 6PU 0161 633 5533 info@fit4sportltd.com

RSscan presents ...

Myontec the technology that will make a difference

Stay in the game with SPORTTAPE

Cutting Edge Textiles (shorts, leggings, Ever-present at London 2012, shirt) that monitor muscles which can SPORTTAPE aided many of the be worn on the field and record in real world’s best athletes. This British time company offers both standard and Monitor muscles during real time clinical rolls of kinesiology tape as movements well as an innovative range of PreEffects of muscle fatigue during play Cut Spiders that are perfect for footballers. Designed to mimic the Non-invasive no wires and no skin, SPORTTAPE integrates with the complicated software body’s sensory system naturally to help Instant results presented in a report footballers play harder and recover faster. SPORTTAPE kinesiology tape form provides unbeatable value and in Excellent for screening just one combination with simple instructions, player or the whole team, muscle conventional treatment methods and profile for each player in minutes honest advice can produce fantastic results. info@rsscan.co.uk 07867 800559 www.Myontec.com

www.sporttape.co.uk or email: info@sporttape.co.uk

Advertising in Football Medic Football Medic offers a range of advertising opportunities for you and your company.

If you are looking to showcase your products to medical and sport and exercise experts in the professional football world, Football Medic is the perfect vehicle.

From ¼ page adverts to double page spreads to advertorials, there is something to suit every budget.

Starting from just £175.00, your products can be reaching key purchasers in the world of professional football.

Partnership options LMedA also offers a range of partnership options offering you a number of different ways to align your company and products alongside professional football’s fast growing, medical membership organisation

Email maggie@charleswhitney or phone Charles Whitney on 0845 0041040 for further details.

21

Advertorial

Features

Vibrosphere: an exciting new tool for use in rehab work The Vibrosphere is a vibrating wobble board, which gives whole body vibration training, resulting in a rapid improvement in stability.

Preventive training

Increases the proprioception and postural control by activating the muscles surrounding the joints. This prevents ankle-joint distortions and possibly knee distortions. Using the New research on footballers by Vibrosphere pre-treatment or preWolverhampton University on the use match alerts the reflex path, which of Vibrosphere compared to a standard reduces the risk for injuries and wobble board, has conclusively shown improves performance. improved stability. Another study from Denmark also shows positive Strength training results compared to eccentric exercises Conservative strength training can be in tendinopathy patients. performed with accentuated effect.

Top clubs in Europe such as Inter, The combination of balance and Athletico Madrid, FC Barcelona vibration trains the minor stabilising and Getafe FC have all benefitted muscles, which have the function to from using Vibrosphere. Ricky give postural control. The overall effect Dahan, physiotherapist to the is that a player’s strength increases Swedish National team, has also used but also any instability problems are Vibrosphere in his clinic since 2005. corrected.

Comparatively small and weighing only 15 kg, the Vibrosphere, which Balance training featured in the Olympic Medical A high level of functional training is Centre during London 2012, is easy reached by football technique exercises to move and adaptable to all kinds of in combination with different levels rehabilitation/training situations: of balance training. In most exercises the very important trunk stabilising muscles are engaged contributing to an increased postural control.

Core stability training

Most movements start with an activation of the trunk muscles. The muscles surrounding the trunk and pelvis give important support to a powerful and controlled kick.

Mobility training

The Vibrosphere can be used to great effect in the contraction phase of a stretch exercise, to achieve the immediate maximum relaxation. This in turn enables the maximum effect during the following stretch phase.

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Circulatory

The blood circulation increases in the activated muscles which can help in the recovery of minor haematoma or stiff and sore muscles. It improves lymphatic drainage, which leads to reduced recovery times and increased lactic acid tolerance.

Vibrosphere, which was invented by Swedish Physiotherapist Kaj Laserow, gives whole body vibration training at btw 20-45 Hz with an amplitude of 2mm. The mechanical vibrations result in a ‘tonic vibration reflex’, a repeated myotatic reflex or stretch reflex.

When the muscles are exposed to vibration training the stretch reflexes are activated resulting in enhanced activity in the neuromuscular system.

Vibration training also improves the essential interplay between nerves and muscles.

Training times are short, just 15-90 seconds per exercise, 30 seconds rest between each and max 10-15 minutes effective vibration time per session.

1 “Six weeks combined vibration and wobble board training improves balance and dynamic stability in soccer players” - Wolverhampton University 2011 2 “Does 4 weeks of WBV and eccentric exercises reduce pain in Achilles Tendinopathy patients?” - Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen 2007

Eva Leach, BSc Physiotherapy, is the exclusive promoter of Vibrosphere in the UK. For more information visit www.g4ceplate.com or email evaleach@g4ceplate.com

On the couch with...Dr Jerry Hill

Features

Dr Jerry Hill

Profession.

Sports medicine and primary care physician

Where did you train? What course? When?

Qualified from St Bartholomews Hospital, University of London 1988.

Postgraduate qualifications in Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and General Practice between 19881992 MSc in Sports and Exercise Medicine Queen Mary’s University of London 2011

How did you get into football?

Quite by chance – by horse! One of the aspects of my work as a GP was working with the Ambulance service as a pre-hospital care provider with the local branch of BASICS (British Association of Immediate Care) called SIMCAS (Surrey and Sussex Immediate Medical Care Scheme) attending incidents such as serious RTAs to support the paramedics. I was asked to provide medical cover at Lingfield Racecourse where I still work and, when the chief executive moved to Gillingham FC, myself and a colleague were asked to step into the breech when their club doctor left.

I enjoyed working with the physios, players and management so was delighted to accept the permanent post just over three seasons ago. Rather strange since I last kicked a football aged 11!

Talk us through your career to date.

After qualification I did house jobs in general medicine in Redhill and on the Professorial Surgical Unit at Barts before joining a three-year GP training scheme in Redhill. Since 1993 I have worked at Ship Street Surgery in East Grinstead combining primary care with racing and pre-hospital care. In 2009 I became club doctor at Gillingham FC and started my MSc whilst starting my application to work at the London Olympics. I have just changed to Crawley FC for the 2012/13 season. I am currently on the train for my shift at Greenwich Park for Equestrian before working at the Stratford Polyclinic for the Paralympics – sadly no football. Over the summer I have also been fortunate enough to provide cover for the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden whilst Dr Ian Beasley was in Europe with the England Team – ballet dancers in many respects have similar issues to footballers (just a bit more flexible!)

Which clubs have you worked for (past and present)?

Gillingham and Crawley FC

How’s the job going at the moment?

Crawley have had an extraordinary couple of seasons being promoted twice on the trot and have a

refreshingly positive attitude to improving medical care and player performance. At time of writing we have no manager and first team physio but hopefully this will be resolved in the next few days. We are fortunate to have sports scientist Niall Clarke who’s experience in the Premiership will be invaluable and has links into the academic world.

I feel confident we will develop a strong department to support the training staff and players as we strive for success on the pitch.

What’s your long-term career plan?

To increase my time in sports and specifically football medicine and reduce my primary care commitments by working in English clubs with the ultimate aim of a full-time Championship or Premiership role.

Dream job.

I am writing this from the 2012 Olympics where mixing with likeminded professionals and athletes from around the world has been an incredible experience. To work with a national side at an international competition would definitely be on my wish list.

23

er h t r Fu unts o disc MedA L for bers. mem

www.worldfootballacademy.co.uk “Top coaches are lifelong students of the game! This event will be a unique chance to discuss best-practice and how it is implemented at the top of the game” Raymond Verheijen

Annual National Symposium 19th December 2012

UK FOOTBALL… BACK TO THE FUTURE

The World Football Academy UK is passionately committed to increasing the volume and variety of best-practice in football periodisation, performance, psychology, analysis and conditioning within the game.

Join Raymond Verheijen and a host of other top ‘football specific’ performance practitioners, layers, managers and experts for a day of insight, networking, debate, philosophies and learning.

Join us Cost: £199 (£99 for a limited no of students) Date: 19th December 2012 Venue: The Emirates Stadium, Arsenal F.C.

More information and registration W: www.worldfootballacademy.co.uk E: ryan.mcknight@worldfootballacademy.co.uk T: Ryan McKnight on 07743061264

WORLD FOOTBALL ACADEMY UK for coaches, staff members and practitioners

Advertorial

Features

Using

The Football Matrix in Injury Prevention The Football Matrix is an advanced screening tool used at top professional teams that assesses movement control to highlight specific areas of an athlete’s body that may be at risk for injury and provides a comprehensive individual corrective exercise program to help prevent non-traumatic injuries from occurring.

The Football Matrix is designed for progressive sports medical departments who want to do everything they can to keep their players healthy, keep preventative injury rates low and keep valuable assets on the pitch and off of the injury list. Screening healthy players and correcting their movement faults can make players more robust so they maintain their health and career longevity, where previously undiscovered faults could have led to injury prone players or career ending injuries.

For example, hamstring injuries are a common injury in Football and close to 80% of professional footballers with a history of hamstring injury showed links with uncontrolled movement when screened with the football matrix. The football matrix helps to highlight this risk and the corrective programme can help to reduce this very common but preventable injury.

The Football Matrix incorporates tests that have been formulated to resemble specific football movements that a player would perform during a game such as kicking, heading and turning so the assessment is extremely

specific to footballers needs. The tool provides a baseline assessment for specific movement control as well as assessing stabilizer strength and specific flexibility.

The Matrix helps to keep players healthy and keep preventative injury rates low.

Part of the movement control assessment looks for energy leakages within the kinetic chain that relate to how well the player decelerates movement (slows down). An inability to slow down reduces your efficiency in changing direction to quickly move around or lose your opponent and is a major factor as to why injuries occur.

It’s like driving a fast car but having no brakes to slow you down to take the corners.

After the Football Matrix screen is done a bespoke report is produced

which provides a movement efficiency score and the specific areas (e.g. ankle, hip, lower back, shoulder) of potential injury risk or performance deficit (weak links) are highlighted.

This makes the screening process much easier as less time is required for analysis as the priority corrective recommendations are given on the report.

Using The Performance Matrix screening tool and implementing injury prevention programmes has helped me gain tremendous success at all of the football clubs I have worked for by reducing injury rates by up to 60% and optimising performance potential during my time at each club.

Andy Barr PT MSc CSCS PMMT Performance Specialist NY Knicks Basketball Former Head Physiotherapist for Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers and Southampton FC. Movement Performance Solutions info@theperformancematrix.com T+44 (0) 1243 786 555 www.theperformancematrix.com

25

Blast from the past

Features

Blast from the past Things have changed dramatically over the last 40 or so years for medics in professional football - or have they? We go back to the archives of yesteryear to find out more about the on and offpitch antics of physiotherapists past to see how far - or how little - things have moved on...

The match is at its most critical stage. Arsenal are striving to retain a lead which will take them a vital rung up the championship ladder.

A high ball curls towards their goalmouth. The goalkeeper moves to meet it—and so does the visiting centre-forward. There is a sickening collision and, the next second, the goalkeeper is writhing on the ground.

Then a stocky, sleek-haired figure sprints to the scene. His equipment—a sponge, a bladder of cold water and his own healing hands. Within minutes, the injured player is plucking shots out of the air. Trainer Bertie Mee has done his job simply and effectively. The same story can be told at countless other Football League grounds.

“The big problem is one of diagnosis,” explains this dapper

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enthusiast who once played on the wing for Derby County. “You have to make an instant decision whether to take a player or risk aggravating the injury by making him play on.

It can mean the difference between a

Clubs other than Arsenal have had reason to bless the existence of the X-ray machine. week and a month of recovery time.”

Once, the job of trainer was often given to an old servant of the club as a charitable “perk”. Today, the man hoping to hold down the job must be a specialist. Few clubs are prepared to employ anyone who has not qualified under the F.A. coaching

and training scheme. “The standard is rising constantly,” says Mee. He should know. Appointed adviser to the Football Association in 1948, he is now their senior lecturer. More than anyone else, he has been responsible for introducing psychology into the trainer’s equipment. “An injury damages a player’s mind just as much as his body,” he says. “To restore fitness, you must restore confidence.”

Thus; Mee refuses to allow Arsenal’s marvellously equipped treatment room to become an “escape hatch” from the hard grind and routine of training.

“Players do not recover on the bench, but on the field,” he insists, “At Highbury, players work harder to get fit after injury than they do in normal training.” It is for this reason that Mee is more often seen in a track-suit than in the white coat one normally associates with medical treatment.

The list of equipment at Highbury

Blast from the past

Features

reads like the orthopaedic unit of a modern hospital: Ultra-short-wave diathermy, ultrasonics, generalised ultra-violet, infra-red, galvanism and faradism, and facilities for injections and sterilising of instruments.

Portable X-ray apparatus is available on all match days, the hot and cold plunges are big enough to permit remedial activities and the gymnasium contains equipment for sling suspension, individual weight training and circuit training.

The immediate question which strikes the layman is “Why is all this necessary? Aren’t the hospitals good enough?” The answer is that athletes require much more intensive treatment than hospitals are able to provide. “The duty of hospitals is to make people fit for everyday life,” says Mee. “Although the situation is improving, few hospitals have the time, facilities or inclination to give sportsmen the specialist treatment they require.” Arsenal’s medical officer, Dr. Alan Bass, who once broke his neck playing rugby, is one of the few orthopaedic surgeons to give special attention to sportsmen.

In addition to being the consultant to Paddington and St. Charles Hospitals, he controls an Athletes’.

Injury Clinic in Harley Street.

Not only footballers make use of the facilities Arsenal provides. Boxer Terry Downes, tennis champion Margaret Smith, the Swedish Davis Cup team and the Australian cricketers have all made regular visits. So has Sean Connery when he has needed to reach peak fitness for his demanding James Bond role.

Clubs other than Arsenal have had reason to bless the existence of the X-ray machine. When a. fracture is suspected, the correct diagnosis can be made quickly, and an immediate decision taken on whether the player can travel back with his club. “We have received many letters of thanks from clubs,” says Mee. “Prompt action always cuts down a player’s recovery time.”

When attending an injured player

on the field, does the trainer worry about the referee being anxious to fie-start the game? “I get very cross when one says ‘Come on, let’s have him oif,” confesses Mee. “I deal with the situation by saying ‘Right-are you prepared to take the responsibility?’ They always let me make the decision after that.”

Mee admits that the trainer can do little on the field. “That’s what makes these portmanteaux full of equipment, taken on the pitch by European trainers, look so silly.

I carry as little as possible. Some aromatic capsules to clear heads, adrenalin to stop bleeding and the inevitable scissors and dressings.”

The problem of instant diagnosis is solved by the player giving sensible answers to questions.

“Regular talks with the players have made them thoroughly familiar with my job. They know at once what I want to know,” he says.

Have you ever wondered about those little bottles of liquid which trainers pour into injured players’ boots? “It’s just methylated spirits,” reveals Mee. “The skin grows cold and that relieves the pain. But cold water is just as good.”

Mee is no believer in pain-killing injections, like hydrocrtisone. “They only make a minor injury into a major one. Pain is nature’s warning that damage has been done. If you take it away, you run the risk of increasing it.”

The Arsenal trainer also explodes the theory that exercise is always beneficial. “Whenever one of our boys has an injury on Saturday, I make him rest on Sunday. Rest is therapeutic. If you cut your hand, you don’t spend the rest of the day rubbing it. Yet frequently people with pulled rnuscles—which are bleeding internal1y—are made to jog about. It’s quite wrong. Rest, compression and elevation are essential in the early stages.”

But exercise comes firmly into the reckoning, when the player is back at the ground. “No one can develop confidence or fitness unless he is

involved in the most intense activity of which he is capable,” says Mee. must never be allowed to feel he is ‘suspended’ from the club’s doings.”

The biggest problem facing any trainer is in controlling the player’s recovery environment. “You can look after him when he is on duty,” says Mee. “But what can you do when someone talks him into going to a dance?” That might be a difficulty in many clubs, but it is non-existent at Highbury. Says manager Billy Wright: “The players have so much respect for Bertie that none of them would dream of going against his advice. They realise that their careers are at stake and that what he tells them is for the best.”

It is this degree of respect which makes Bertie Mee so valuable to Arsenal. But football itself is fortunate that he plays such a prominent part in the training of the men who go to other clubs. Let Wright have the last word: “People offer thousands of pounds for individual players--but we wouldn’t let our physiotherapist go for £250,000.” Other Football League clubs with men of similar skill will echo these sentiments.

Source of the material “BBC Sportsview Soccer 1963/64” Thanks go to LMedA member Gavin Blackwell who kindly sent this article to us

27

Medico-Legal

Features

All About Medico-Legal RJW principle lawyer Rosmary Rollanson explains what you should know.

Many medical and healthcare professionals are fortunate enough not to face a disciplinary complaint which brings them into contact with their professional regulatory body. But if it does happen the consequences can be far reaching. RJW principle lawyer Rosmary Rollanson explains.

grounds of misconduct, sub-standard clinical performance, ill health or due to holding a criminal conviction.

The elite professional sports sphere may seem removed from healthcare practice in the wider world, but professionals practising within it are subject to exactly the same standards and codes of conduct as any other healthcare professional. A high profile case which caught the attention of the All the main healthcare professions media recently was the “Bloodgate” are governed by a statutory regulatory rugby case, which involved allegations of cheating by a top club by using body, including doctors by the General Medical Council and dentists fake blood capsules during a match to fabricate an injury to a rugby player by the General Dental Council. in order to secure a substitution. A More recently, the Health & Care physiotherapist and a doctor were Professions Council has become the both alleged to have been involved in statutory regulator for 16 professions the incident. whose registrants may work in the The case brought the role of the professional sports field, including healthcare professionals working in physiotherapists, dieticians, clinical elite sport under the public spotlight. scientists, paramedics, radiographers, The two professionals were called to chiropodists and podiatrists.

Not all professionals realise that the account for their professional conduct regulatory body’s primary role is not to “on the field of play” before their represent its members or promote the respective regulators, the General Medical Council and the Health interests of the profession: that is the Professions Council and received role of professional associations, such disciplinary sanctions. as the League Medical Association, Healthcare professionals are not and unions. In contrast, regulatory always fully aware of the wide-ranging bodies exist to promote the public powers their professional regulator has. interest by regulating the professions.

Their key duties in law are protection For example: of the public (that is patients/ clients and the user of health services), setting Professionals are required to comply standards for education and practice and maintaining public confidence in with their professional standards in all areas of their lives and at all times, not the profession. only when actually treating patients: When a regulator receives a hence a criminal conviction received complaint from a member of the in circumstances completely unrelated public against a professional, it has to their professional life will considered a duty to investigate it and decide, by the regulator and could lead to by means of a long and sometimes disciplinary investigation; complex legal process, whether the professional’s “fitness to practise If when a complaint is received by is impaired”. This could be on the the regulator it suggests a professional

28

poses an urgent risk of harm to the public, the regulator has the power at a very early stage to impose an urgent “interim order”. This could prevent the professional from practising and earning his/her living long before any actual decision on the complaint is reached, whilst the regulator investigates and takes the case to a disciplinary hearing.

This can sometimes take many months, or even years. There is an opportunity for the professional to oppose the making of an interim order at a hearing, so it is vital to seek advice and engage with the process if this happens; If the complaint is referred to a full disciplinary hearing and the professional’s fitness to practise is found to be impaired, the regulatory tribunal can impose a range of sanctions including a warning, the imposition of conditions limiting practice, a period of suspension or, in the most serious cases, removal from the professional register (“striking off”). If a professional is “struck off”, in the case of many of the health professions, the professional cannot make an application to be restored to the register again for at least five years.

The stakes for a professional, who is the subject of such a complaint, even if ultimately it proves to be unfounded, are very high. Many years of training, past successful practice and professional reputation may be at risk. It is vital the professional does not “bury his or her head in the sand” and actively engages with the regulator’s process from an early stage.

He or she should promptly seek advice from a professional association such as the LMedA. If it becomes clear the complaint is going to progress to a full investigation and a hearing, then specialist legal advice and representation is likely to be advisable.

Physio UK

Mr. Be Activated

For details and to book your place visit:

DOUGLAS HEEL Be Activated for Therapists and Trainers with Douglas Heel (Level 1) 2 Day Courses

Master a powerful series of hands on techniques that can bring instant improvements in movement, reductions in pain and improved function for your patients.

100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.

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Features Courses

Want to double hamstring length in 2 minutes? www.physiouk.co.uk/douglas1 WHEN? 21st - 22nd April 2012 28th - 29th April 2012 10th - 11th Nov 2012

WHERE? Bradford London London

TIME? 8.30am - 5.00pm 8.30am - 5.00pm 8.30am - 5.00pm

Previous participant feedback: "Opened my eyes to a new way to assess and treat patients" "Truly inspiring, made me re-think my entire outlook on my work ethic and also outlook on life"

CK GUARAN Y BA

For full details and to book a place visit www.physiouk.co.uk or call 0208 394 0400 COURSE

PLACE

DATE

TUTOR

Manchester

15th April

Paul Hodges

Paul Hodges: Core Stability, Exercise and Motor Control - 1 Day Course

London

21st April

Paul Hodges

Be Activated for Therapists and Trainers (Level 1)

Bradford

21st-22nd April

Douglas Heel

Be Activated for Therapists and Trainers (Level 2)

Surrey

23rd-24th April

Douglas Heel

Be Activated for Therapists and Trainers (Level 1)

London

28th-29th April

Douglas Heel

Pathology Workshop for Manual Therapists - Evening Lecture

Dartford

23rd May

John Mitchell

Sports Acupuncture

Solihull

26th-27th May

Kevin Young

Introduction to Myofascial Release (Part 1) with John Annan

Surrey

16th-17th June

John Annan

Introduction to Myofascial Release (Part 1) with John Annan

Scotland

23rd-24th June

John Annan

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Dartford

14th July

Teri Bayford

Milton Keynes

18th July

John Mitchell

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Stockport

4th August

Teri Bayford

Ed Wilson's Trigger Point Course

Farnham

8th-9th September

Ed Wilson

Introduction to Myofascial Release (Part 1) with John Annan

London

20th-21st October

John Annan

Functional Fascial Taping - 2 Day Course

Surrey

27th-28th October

Ron Alexander

Functional Fascial Taping - 2 Day Course

Stockport

3rd-4th November

Ron Alexander

Be Activated for Therapists and Trainers (Level 1)

London

10th-11th November

Douglas Heel

Tendinopathy: Forget the recipes - 1 Day Course

Harrogate

10th November

Peter Malliaras

Tendinopathy: Forget the recipes - 1 Day Course

Stockport

11th November

Peter Malliaras

Paul Hodges: Core Stability, Exercise and Motor Control - 1 Day Course

Pathology Workshop for Manual Therapists - Evening Lecture

This course listing is not exhaustive. Please check the website for further dates & course listings. New events are announced through the year and courses are held at other venues.

29

HE Seminars

Courses

CPD courses for Sports Medical Professionals ACL Rehab Update

Oct 14th – Reading, Nov 11th – Manchester, Nov 18th - Milton Keynes, Dec 2nd - Bury St Edmunds

Combined Approach to the Sacroiliac Joint

Sept 8th/9th - London, Sept 29th/30th - Liverpool, Oct 20th/21st – Maidenhead, Nov (date tbc) – Bristol, Dec 8th/9th - Norwich

Evening lecture (Liverpool FC): ACL Reconstruction Management January 17th - Liverpool (Liverpool FC training ground)

Evening lecture (Liverpool FC): Examination of the Sporting Foot & Ankle March 21st - Liverpool (Liverpool FC training ground)

Evening lecture (Widnes): Tendinopathy Management in Sport October 11th - Widnes (Widnes Vikings Rugby Club)

National Sports First Aid (intermediate level) Nov 3rd/4th - Farnham, Surrey Sporting Hip & Groin: 2013 dates (post Olympics) to be announced Sport & Exercise First Aid Nov 3rd - Farnham, Surrey Sports Injuries: an essential guide to aetiology, assessment & management November 15th - Harrogate

Multi-Disciplinary Teams 2013 - The Success Factor

March 20th/21st 2013 - West Midlands Following on from the success of MDT2012 where the quality of the speakers and content they delivered was outstanding, we are proud to announce MDT2013 which will maintain the high standard set in 2012 as well as offering all delegates the opportunity to attend selective break-out workshops. ** Limited Places will be in high demand **

REMO course

if you have staff wanting to attend the highly respected REMO Advanced Sports Trauma courses in 2012/2013, please contact us for dates and venues.

Want to run CPD courses at your club?

If your club has good facilities to host courses (weekday or weekends), then please contact us.

Health Education Seminars

Tel: 01202 568898 30

42 Richmond Road Poole BH14 0BU email: info@heseminars.com

www.heseminars.com

Welbeing CPD

Courses

Course calendar 2012 Course calendar 2012

DATE DATE

COURSE COURSE

SPECIFIC SOFT TISSUE MOBILISATION SOFT TISSUE MOBILISATION ASPECIFIC two-day workshop

29thth

29 September September

31st 31st October October

6thth

6 November November

A two-day Tutor: Glennworkshop Hunter MSc, MCSP, SRP, Cert ED FE Tutor: Irene GlennorHunter MCSP, SRP, Cert ED FE Contact: Sue +44MSc, (0) 1375 893 820

Contact: Irene or Sue +44 (0) 1375 893 820 Email: enquiries@welbeing-cpd.co.uk Email: enquiries@welbeing-cpd.co.uk

The Shoulder: Steps to Success AThe one Shoulder: day course Steps to Success

A oneJo day course Tutor: Gibson MCSP - Clinical Physiotherapy Specialist Tutor: Jo Gibson Specialist Contact: Irene or SueMCSP +44 (0)- Clinical 1375 893Physiotherapy 820

Contact: Irene or Sue +44 (0) 1375 893 820 Email: enquiries@welbeing-cpd.co.uk Email: enquiries@welbeing-cpd.co.uk

FOOT & ANKLE ANKLE LECTURE 2FOOT HOUR&EVENING HOUR EVENING A22-hour evening lectureLECTURE + demonstration

A 2-hour evening lecture MSCP + demonstration Tutor: Alison Middleditch MMACP Tutor: Alison MSCP Contact: Irene orMiddleditch Sue +44 (0) 1375 893MMACP 820

VENUE VENUE Milton Keynes Milton Hospital Keynes General General Hospital

The Jefford Centre The Norwich Jefford Centre Norwich

Bedford Hospital Bedford Hospital North Wing North Wing

Contact: Irene or Sue +44 (0) 1375 893 820 Email: enquiries@welbeing-cpd.co.uk Email: enquiries@welbeing-cpd.co.uk

10thth 10 November November

7thth 7 December December

INJURIES OF THE HIP & GROIN OF THE HIP & GROIN AINJURIES one-day workshop

A one-day workshop Tutor: Professor Graham N Smith GradDipPhys FCSP DipTP CertED Tutor: Professor Graham Smith FCSP DipTP CertED Contact: Irene or Sue +44 (0)N1375 893GradDipPhys 820

Contact: Irene or Sue +44 (0) 1375 893 820 Email: enquiries@welbeing-cpd.co.uk Email: enquiries@welbeing-cpd.co.uk

ANKLE LIGAMENT DISRUPTION - A CLINICAL & ANKLE LIGAMENT DISRUPTION - A CLINICAL & FUNCTIONAL DILEMMA FUNCTIONAL DILEMMA A two hour evening workshop with interactive sessions

A twoProfessor hour evening workshop interactive FCSP sessions Tutor: Graham N Smithwith GradDipPhys DipTP CertED Tutor: Professor Graham N Smith GradDipPhys FCSP DipTP CertED Contact: Anna Clayton

Contact:anna.clayton@buryphysio.co.uk Anna Clayton E-mail: E-mail: anna.clayton@buryphysio.co.uk

University of University Worcester of Worcester

Bury Physiotherapy Bury Physiotherapy Clinic Bury StClinic Edmonds Bury St Edmonds

If you wish to host courses please contact Irene or Sue If you wish tofurther host courses contactcourses Irene orheld Suein Ireland For full programmes and detailsplease on additional For full programmes and furtherplease detailscall: on additional courses held in Ireland please call: +44 (0)1375 893 820 +44 (0)1375 893 820 E-Mail: enquiries@welbeing-cpd.co.uk E-Mail: Visit enquiries@welbeing-cpd.co.uk www.welbeing-cpd.co.uk Visit www.welbeing-cpd.co.uk Updated 19 September 2012 Updated 19 September 2012

31

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