Behind 'The Mikes' - Physiotherapy - Issue no.1
We will regularly look to bring you an insight into what goes on behind the scenes at The Trevor Brown Memorial Ground. In our first article, we focus on the club’s physiotherapy department.
This was an area of weakness at the beginning of last season, following the departure of Mike Talbot to Hednesford Town. Rob Mallaband acted decisively, to the extent that this area of the club is evolving at a pace and can be considered a real strength.
We have recently welcomed a new member to the team, Gita Chauhan. It was Mike Talbot who first introduced Gita to the club, gaining experience as she studied a couple of seasons ago. Gita, now 22, has returned to the club and made her ‘debut’ at the recent fixture against Coventry Sphinx.
Her football background is in both men’s and women’s futsal, and she has also worked for Birmingham City Ladies. Keen to progress in sports therapy and massage, Gita will work very closely with our existing physiotherapy team of Jim Walker and Johanne Anderson.
Jo joined the club towards the tail end of last season. Her sporting background is more in rugby than football, but that meant she easily fitted in behind the scenes. Professionally, Jo works for the NHS in Birmingham, and lives just round the corner from the ground.
Described last year as ‘my best signing of the season’ by manager Rob Mallaband, Jim Walker brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the club.
Best known locally for his service at Aston Villa and Walsall, Jim oversees the treatment of injuries at the club. When he first arrived, he had 12 players to see across all three teams.
Within six weeks he had his first clear week, with no injuries reported. It’s not just the physios who have much to learn from Jim, management, coaches and players alike benefit from his wealth of experience.
He is a qualified fitness coach, and during his professional playing career he appeared in Derby County’s 1972 League Championship winning squad, under Brian Clough and Peter Taylor.
Rob Clarke commented "‘if you get the chance to spend any time in Jim’s company, you should. He is one of the most engaging characters I have met in football, and his wealth of knowledge on all football matters means that every conversation is a learning experience.
" He is a massive asset to a club like ours – having him on board is a massive selling point to players as they know they are getting expert advice.
"At our level, we could not hope to have anybody better qualified, or better connected. There aren’t many people around here who are on the contact list of Ferguson and Wenger! To have two physios like Jo and Gita covering matches while also learning from Jim can only be good for Boldmere.’
