MIKE THOMAS’ famous injured footballers sessions are coming to an end. Just like stables that specialise in recuperating injured racehorses, for the last eight years the Sylvans physiotherapist has run a regular Thursday night clinic at St Peter’s where he has helped crocked players from all clubs who have been to him for treatment to get back to fitness.
But due to work commitments at the Guernsey Physiotherapy Group, where he is a partner, and his involvement with the senior island side, Thomas is going to have to cut his ties with the
St Peter’s club after Christmas.
‘It’s been great working with everyone at Sylvans,’ he said.
‘Sylvans are a great example of the club having the best interests of the players at heart when it comes to correct management following an injury. Personally, they have assisted me in letting me use their facilities to provide late-stage, sport-specific rehabilitation, including conditioning, mobility, flexibility and strengthening drills.
‘This allows me to provide effective physiotherapy at a stage of being discharged from my clinic environment. This ensures that the player goes back to normal training confident that the injury is no longer problematic.
‘The stage between clinic discharge and competitive soccer is a dangerous time and, unless the care is appropriate, there is the danger of reinjury.’
Thomas gets no money for his efforts and that is also the case for the work he does with the island team.
His colleagues at the Guernsey Physiotherapy Group, Tommy Rekikoski and Danny Guillemette, also work voluntarily for the Guernsey Football Association.
Finn Rekikoski assists Paul Ockleford with the Guernsey under-18 set-up while Guillemette also helps out at island schoolboy level and with St Martin’s Priaulx team.
‘We do it because we love the sport and, when we played, there were people who gave up their time,’ said Thomas.
He would like to see more physios getting involved with clubs.
‘Physiotherapy in football isn’t just about somebody who stands on the touchline for 90 minutes waiting to run onto the pitch if somebody gets injured after having given a couple of massages and put on a couple of strappings before the game,’ he said.
‘During the actual 90 minutes of play, the main role of the physiotherapist is one of skilled first aid, as the main dangers are those of cardiorespiratory problems, swallowing of tongue and head injuries, all of which could be fatal if treatment isn’t speedy, skilled and effective.
‘The English Football Association take a firm stance in that they feel anybody who is providing medical care on the touchline should have a recognised first-aid qualification, which should be updated every three years.
‘By next season all premiership medics must hold an advanced first-aid qualification before being allowed to provide on-pitch interventions. Ideally, the physiotherapist should be a part of the coaching staff, giving guidance to the coaches on the type of care and timescales involved regarding the health and fitness of the players.
‘It is important that the clubs are responsive to this information and do not play players when they are not fit.’
One player who has benefited from Thomas’ expertise and training sessions is 2006-07 GFA player of the year Simon Tostevin.
The North striker missed the end of last season and is out until Christmas after he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
‘The sessions with Mike are brilliant,’ he said.
‘When you’re coming back from a long-term injury, you want someone there who knows what is best for you. He knows exactly what you should be doing at the right times in your recovery.
‘If it was left up to players to do it themselves, then I’m sure we’d be rushing back too quickly, doing stuff we shouldn’t be doing and aggravating the injuries.
‘It’s good how he is willing to give up his own time out of the clinic to get us back to full fitness,’ added Tostevin.
Article posted on 30th November, 2007 - 12.00am
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