VACANCY: Lead Sports Therapist – First Team

Chorley Football Club is seeking an enthusiastic, motivated and committed Lead Sports Therapist to lead the medical provision for the First Team competing in the National League North, while also supporting the Steven Gerrard Academy Lancashire programme.

This is an excellent opportunity for a graduate Sports Therapist, Sports Rehabilitator or Physiotherapist looking to take ownership of a senior medical role within a competitive football environment. The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of player medical care, injury prevention, rehabilitation and matchday cover while working closely with the coaching staff, academy staff and club management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the First Team medical department.

• Provide pitch-side emergency care during all First Team training sessions and fixtures.

• Deliver weekly medical provision for the Steven Gerrard Academy Lancashire programme, including one training session per week (day to be agreed with flexibility to suit the successful candidate and academy timetable) and Wednesday matchday cover throughout the season.

• Assess, diagnose and manage acute and chronic injuries.

• Design and deliver individual rehabilitation programmes to facilitate safe and effective return to play.

• Implement injury prevention strategies based on current evidence and player needs.

• Conduct pre-training and pre-match screening where appropriate.

• Maintain accurate medical records and injury reports.

• Liaise with consultants, imaging providers and other healthcare professionals when required.

• Communicate injury status and return-to-play timelines with coaching staff.

• Manage medical equipment, consumables and treatment facilities.

• Assist with player medicals and pre-season screening.

• Contribute to the continued development of the club's medical department.

Essential Criteria

• BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy, Sports Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy or an equivalent recognised qualification.

• Current membership with the Society of Sports Therapists (SST), British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers (BASRaT), HCPC/CSP, or another relevant professional body.

• Current FA Intermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football (ITMMiF) qualification.

• Enhanced DBS Certificate (or willingness to obtain).

• Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle.

• Excellent communication, organisational and time management skills.

• Ability to work independently and confidently make clinical decisions.

• Strong understanding of evidence-based injury assessment and rehabilitation.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working within football or another high-performance sporting environment.

• Experience using GPS and athlete monitoring systems.

• Experience conducting strength and performance testing.

• Knowledge of return-to-play frameworks and current football medicine guidelines.

• Experience supervising placement students or junior therapists.

• Manual therapy, sports massage and taping experience.

Working Pattern

The role is primarily evenings and weekends and will typically include:

• One Steven Gerrard Academy training session per week (day to be agreed).

• Tuesday evening: First Team training.

• Wednesday: Steven Gerrard Academy matchday cover.

• Thursday evening: First Team training.

• Saturday: First Team matchday.

• Additional hours as required for cup fixtures, player rehabilitation sessions, player appointments and administrative duties.

Salary

Salary to be discussed and will be dependent on experience.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to lead the medical provision for a National League North First Team.

• Experience working within both senior and academy football.

• A supportive and ambitious football environment.

• Clinical autonomy and responsibility.

• Opportunities for continued professional development.

• The opportunity to work closely with experienced coaching and performance staff.

• The chance to further develop within football medicine.

• Opportunity to use club facilities for private business.

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to info@dtsportstherapy.com by 31 August 2026.

Interviews will consist of an informal interview followed by a practical clinical assessment relevant to football medicine.

Chorley Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, an Enhanced DBS check and the relevant FA safeguarding requirements.