Way back in the mists of time to see a physiotherapist standing on the touchline while the “muddied oafs” slugged out and hacked lumps of each other was a rare sight indeed. The individual usually responsible for tending to the injured was accorded the honorary title of “the sponge man.” Their duties included dashing on with water, plasters, bandages, spare shorts etc., and after the game, in some instances, supplying the players with a much needed shot of nicotine. This was of course pre isotonic or hypotonic drinks days; although there were tales of a nip port being preferred to an orange at half time by some players. After the battle was over a steaming communal bath and a bar of carbolic soap would go a long way to help the healing process.
The first aid training of these volunteers was pretty basic, with the on field medical back up usually being provided by a member of the St John’s Ambulance Brigade and these characters came in all shapes and sizes with their own particular bedside manner. Many clubs had a doctor in attendance while it was not uncommon to find those from the medical profession also playing. However, it was something of an ad-hoc system further down the rugby pyramid and still is for many teams at second, third and fourth team level where little has changed, and many still rely on a “sponge person”, be it one of the replacements or a spectator.
But things have moved on, times have changed as player’s safety and welfare have become more relevant during game time. It is something of a rarity at first team level not to come across a physiotherapist, the majority being female, who are not only very professional but well qualified, tending to the needs of the players during the course of the game. In addition they also work with the players during training nights and helping with their rehabilitation. They are quite rightly treated as valuable members of the team and given prominence in the club’s hierarchy.
Vale’s current physio is Jemma McCleery, who has been carrying out her duties for a number of years but will be leaving the club at the end of the season. Raven haired Jemma, who hails from Enniskillen, is intelligent, vivacious, full to the brim with seemingly boundless energy, and most importantly extremely professional.
Her lilting Irish tones can be heard soaring from the back of the coach on away games and guaranteed to lift spirits. Jemma’s rendition of the “Irish Rover” never fails to loosen the vocal chords but her party piece is undoubtedly the larynx stretching, “Rattlin’ Bog.” This traditional song, which gathers momentum like an express train, leaves everyone breathless, apart from Jemma, who has had years of practice.
The fixture at home against Rochdale provided an insight to Jemma’s role on match days. After she had finished chomping her way through a well filled baguette she dashed over to the changing rooms to check out that all essential items were accounted for, liaise with her opposite number from Rochdale and then begin preparing the players for the upcoming challenge.
In between handing out advice in a packed physio’s room, and in a scene resembling something from ancient Egypt, metres of tape were wrapped around a multitude of appendages. There was a brief respite while the players went off for their warm up session and before kick-off there was just time for a few more muscles to be tweaked and embrocation applied.
As Fergus and mascot Orainn led the team out, Jemma was busy making last minute adjustments, knowing that at any moment her services would be required.
Nothing much happened in the opening quarter, water was ferried on but in the twenty seventh minute number eight, Jack Ayrton, was hauled off for attention to a shoulder injury. He was plonked down on a chair, his shirt removed in a flash and a bag full of ice taped onto the offending shoulder.
There was a quick sprint to sort out Ross Pillow’s cramp as the half drew to a close but it thankfully it had all been rather quiet.
Things warmed up in the second half when in the fiftieth minute Aaron Melville arrived from the third team to say that a Vale player appeared to have suffered a serious leg injury. Off went Jemma like a mini typhoon leaving Aaron trailing in her wake.
After assessing the player’s injury, which turned out not to as serious as first thought, she was back in time to apply a compress to Olly Jacques rapidly closing right eye. Jack Turton limped off and after an examination the stand-off was reminded of the importance of rehab in helping to strengthen the muscles to ensure a complete recovery.
At the final whistle there was still plenty to occupy Jemma, checking the players for injuries, packing away the various items of equipment and ensuring everything was shipshape and tidy before grabbing a drink followed by a stint behind the bar.
Thankfully it had been an incident free game for Jemma but it is not always the case because as far as she is concerned there are no demarcation lines when it comes to treating injured players.
At St Benedicts earlier in the season she was the first to alert the referee of the seriousness of a Benedicts’ player who had suffered a double fracture of the leg and alongside her opposite number they remained with the player until the ambulance crew arrived and took over.
When James Curran was injured in November 2014 in the home game against Widnes she remained with James, in the gathering gloom, until the arrival of the ambulance. There have been many more occasions when Jemma has tended to Vale and opposition players until the ambulance arrived or if the injuries were not too serious could be helped to the changing rooms. Uppermost in her mind at all times was the well-being and comfort of the player, such dedication has been much appreciated by players and officials from both sides.
For Jemma “the pipes, the pipes are calling” and shortly it will be time to say goodbye but there are bound to be a few more opportunities to raise the roof.
“Oh, row, the rattlin’ bog.
The bog down in the valley-o.
The rare bog, the rattlin’ bog.
The bog down in the valley-o......................”