Aside from my current knee injury (thanks to a Skoda driver who did not see a queue of stationary traffic!) my career was relatively injury free…..barring the odd niggle and wrecked finger which meant a couple of games out at the most. Although embarrassingly I actually pulled my hamstring ion the warm up for our last game of the season and had to be replaced before kick off!
I came out the changing rooms, blazing sunshine and nothing to play for as both teams were mid table. I always carried a ball out with me, I don’t know why but it become part of my routine……’booof’ I volleyed the ball high into the air (I think the sunshine put me in a relaxed mood!) and SNAP! I felt my hamstring twang, followed by the immediate black and blue bruising. My Gaffer was not impressed……luckily we were then finished for the season, but even so I never did that again!
I was always very lucky in that we had an exceptional Physio, and he conversed regularly with all of the Gaffers we had pass through the Club. He also understood the psychological aspect of injuries, and the fact that players hated missing out on playing football.
He taught me how to manage injuries, and also to learn what my body is telling me. There was one instance where my tendon had collapsed in my foot (leaving me without an arch in the sole). It happened about 30 minutes into a game, and resulted with half time seeing him packing my boot with cotton wool to create a “pretend” arch. The game was absolute agony, but without his diagnosis I would not have been able to carry on.
Because the Manager wanted me to play, as did I, the Physio gave me some exercises to do (with an ice cold drinks can!) and we managed the injury until it became tolerable. I’m not suggesting that everyone plays on when injured, but to seek professional advice and listen to what your body is telling you.
There have been times when I’ve been out because of a fractured finger or cracked ribs (the latter happened on a Scottish FA Coach Education course! I pulled a rare worldy out of the top corner, and landed like a shot elephant!!). As far as I’m concerned, if you sign for a Club then you should turn up to Training and Games as normal, with or without injury.
Even if you’ve been pied off by the Manager, then I feel that players should attend (unless asked to play for the Reserves), but I know that I am a rare breed nowadays with this opinion.
If you are out injured then I would encourage you to do the same. It helps to stay involved, it helps to keep you fresh in the Managers mind and it also helps to earn the respect of your team mates and to set the tone for their behaviour.
There is nothing worse than people who feel sorry for themselves. Those who mope around because they have a runny nose or slight headache should be embarrassed so don’t sulk if you are out injured for whatever reason. Don’t have a resentful attitude as this will rub off on the other players. Show that you are committed to gaining full fitness once more; keep in contact with the Physio, Manager, Squad and Supporters by attending all training and matches (unless advised otherwise), and maintain a positive outlook.
Oh, and watch the diet! It’s incredibly easy to add weight if you aren’t able to be active for a while…you don’t want to return as a bloater!
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