Bradford City’s Matt Barrass has told thepfa.com that his career as a physiotherapist has helped to banish the memories of being forced into early retirement as a player.
Barrass made his first-team debut at hometown club Bury in 1997 as a 17-year-old and looked set for a bright future in the game.
However the defender who could operate at right-back or in the centre of defence saw his career blighted by persistent knee injuries. Five operations in six seasons, including two cruciate rebuilds forced his retirement in 2005 after making close to 100 appearances for the Shakers.
Now a decade on, Barrass has retrained, gained two degree’s and admits that his current role with the Bantams, has given him highlights and memories that eclipse those from his playing days.
“I’ve experienced things as a physio that I’d never experienced as a player,” Barrass said.
“When we won 4-2 at Chelsea you’re sat on the bench and almost pinching yourself thinking, ‘is this really happening’. We’ve been to Wembley twice (for the League Cup and Play-off finals) - these are experiences I never had as a player and maybe never would have got as a player.”
“Some people would say I’m a lunatic if they looked at the work I’m doing but aside from being a coach this is probably one of the best things to be doing in football because you live that experience with the players and other staff.”
Barrass started to plan for life beyond that of a player early - though he concedes it was emotionally tough to take.
“I started at Bury which was my hometown club and basically had to retire at the age of 24 just through a succession of knee injuries,” he said.
“I kind of knew it (retirement) was coming because I’d had a number of knee injuries and they weren’t small ones. You start to get the idea ‘hang on a minute it’s not going to be what I want it to be’ but it was still a tough decision. You go from doing the best job in the world to all of a sudden a very different world outside so it is hard but ultimately you have no choice but to get on with things.”
“You have to push yourself and put yourself in uncomfortable positions that you didn’t ever envisage doing or dealing with but in the long run it’s a massive learning curve,”
A degree in Sports Science at Manchester Metropolitan University helped him move on and was followed up by BSc Hons in Physiotherapy at Salford University. Both courses were funded by The PFA.
“It sounds like a cliché but I can’t give them (The PFA) enough credit for their role in what I’ve done and where I am,” Barrass continued.
“They funded me on a Sports Science degree at Manchester Metropolitan University and helped out towards books and other equipment. They just did everything to help me as much as possible and then there were no qualms about funding to go on to the Physiotherapy degree.
“They’ve helped me massively in terms of getting me through two degree’s because it would be very difficult to go away and find that kind of money myself on top of having to pay a mortgage.
“I remember when I was a trainee we had a meeting with the first team captain at the time and there were lads grumbling about paying our subscription fees which were about £50 a year but in terms of what they (The PFA) can help you with and get back out of them if you need them it’s huge in terms of the role they play in your career.”
“I’d did four years at Preston North End with the youth and reserve team, worked up to become the number two and then I came across to Bradford and have so far been here for 3 good years as head physio.
“It’s nothing like being a player,” he added.
“You’re in earlier than the players and you have the day planned out before they arrive. There’ll be a session in the morning and afternoon with the injured lads.
“After that it’s a case of doing all the paperwork and notes and planning for the next day. It’s far longer hours than people think it is and it’s not a five day a week job it’s a seven day a week job, you can be away from home for days at a time and it’s not as glamourous as people might think it is but it’s where I want to be.”
.jpg)
