MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE
  • Home
  • News
    • Podcasts
    • The Voice
  • Match Centre
    • League Tables
    • Fixtures
    • Results
  • Directories
  • Archives
    • Honours
    • Cup History
  • Forms
    • New Applications
  • League Info
  • MATCH BALLS
  • Home
  • News
    • Podcasts
    • The Voice
  • Match Centre
    • League Tables
    • Fixtures
    • Results
  • Directories
  • Archives
    • Honours
    • Cup History
  • Forms
    • New Applications
  • League Info
  • MATCH BALLS

REMEMBERING JIMMY ON TEESIDE AIRWAVES

28/7/2021

 
TIVIDALE FC Sports Therapist Gavin Blackwell was interviewed on BBC Tees yesterday (Tuesday) to tell the tale of one of his mentors in the field.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Jimmy Headrige, who first joined Middlesbrough as a trainer and physio in 1966 after his playing career in Scotland ended through injury.
Jimmy started work with physio George Wright and club doctor and vice chairman Dr Neil Phillips and quickly went on all the courses he could to gain knowledge of his profession.
With income gained from hosting a World Cup 1966 game, Middlesbrough expanded their medical facilities and team, and Jimmy eventually became influential in helping to transform the treatment of injuries and rehabilitation not only at Middlesbrough but throughout the game.
The Scot went on to work in the United Arab Emirates and for Bolton Wanderers where he was credited for saving the career of Peter Reid, who paid an emotional tribute when receiving the PFA Player of the year award  in 1985.
He was then head hunted to work for Ron Atkinson at Manchester United in 1981 when he got the manager's job. Sadly just weeks before the start of the new season, Jimmy collapsed from a heart attack on the training ground and died. He was just 42.
Gavin, who is writing a book on his 35 years working in professional and semi-professional football in the West Midlands, spoke to BBC Tees mid morning presenter Gary Philipson about Jimmy's life and career, particularly his work at Middlesbrough.
He said: "A lot of the listeners or even 'Boro fans in general may not know the name Jimmy Headrige, or his story, with physios often being the unsung heroes of the backroom staff.
"Jimmy, and Fred Street at Arsenal and England, changed the thinking about the way players trained, came back from injury, their diet, their physiotherapy routines, almost everything about the physical side of a footballer.
"I would go as far as to say they were the forerunners for some of the methods and theory that make up what is now known as medical and sports science and if Jimmy had lived, I feel sure he would have gone on to work in international football for a long time."
If you want to listen to the interview, visit https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09nkzd1. It starts at 20:00
Below: (L) The late Jimmy Headrige and (R) Gavin Blackwell
​
Picture
Picture

Comments are closed.

    MFL

    The official news channel of the Midland Football League (founded 2014)

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed