One of the more welcome developments in football over recent times has been the increasing proliferation of fully qualified physiotherapists in senior non-league football.

Those of us of a certain age look back slightly unbelievingly on the times, not that long ago, when a volunteer would run on at Champion Hill equipped with a small bag which usually only contained a sponge, spray and water. How much long-term damage was done to players by the failure to provide proper physiotherapy care is a worrying thought. Unbeknown to many, one of those who has worked for Dulwich Hamlet as a physiotherapist previously served as physiotherapist for an F.A. Cup winning side.

In December 1981 22-year-old Caroline Brouwer attended a job interview at Wimbledon F.C. for the role of Assistant Physio. Caroline has subsequently recalled hearing a row breaking out as she left the room, with some old school coaches wanting her rejected on the grounds of her gender. Others wanted to appoint her, though the main argument for doing so seemed to have been they couldn’t find anyone else.

Caroline’s entry to the job came via Leatherhead F.C. Caroline had been a longstanding volunteer doing jobs such as sweeping the terrace. The Swans physiotherapist noted her enthusiasm and suggested she may want to take physiotherapy up as a career. When Dons reached the 1988 Cup Final only Caroline, two kit men, Dave Beasant and Alan Cork had been associated with the club in Division Four, ensuring some largely patronising media coverage for her. If you look at the photographs of Wimbledon celebrating on the pitch, shortly after being presented with the cup, you will spot Caroline standing on the left-hand side of the pictures. Her father, who grew up watching Ajax, was initially non too impressed by Wimbledon’s style of play. He warmed to them and was involved in the club’s official post-match celebrations.

Caroline left Wimbledon in 1994. She went on to become a valued member of Frank Murphy’s backroom staff at Hamlet, and a popular figure around the club. She was one of the few people around the club willing to tell the Rabble they were being total idiots; on the occasions we were total idiots. The look on Mishi’s face when Caroline reprimanded him about a one-man pitch invasion, celebrating a late winner at Hendon, remains in my memory. Professionally she was invaluable, keeping the late Willie Lillington, among others, available for selection when his knees weren’t in a good state.

When Frank departed Caroline followed, subsequently re-uniting with him at Hendon. She was perhaps fortunate an incident in an F.A. Cup match at a wet Ninian Park occurred before TV cameras and social media became a big part of football. Rushing towards the stricken Hendon player, Caroline slipped and landed on top of him too much laughter. You suspect anyone doing that these days would end up all over the internet.

Hendon was her last club role in football. After a spell in private practice, often working with high profile footballers who knew of her ability, Caroline changed career paths. She still watches Wimbledon occasionally but largely keeps a low-profile bar an appearance on “Beat the Chaser” a couple of years ago. Billed simply as Caroline from Epsom, she spoke of her love of photography and won a very substantial amount of money. A 2023 BBC News website article subsequently brought Caroline back into the public eye again. As ever whilst recognising the Wimbledon changing room could be challenging, she spoke affectionately of the club and of her time there.