Not many physiotherapists reach the status of club legend, but one man who has accomplished that feat. Manchester United’s long-term physiotherapist Rob Swire, has retired after 23 years at the club.
Swire gained his physiotherapy qualification from the University of Salford’s School for Physiotherapy, then went on to complete his postgraduate degree in Sports Injury, Neuromusculoskeletal Dysfunction and Manual Therapy and earning an MSc in Sports and Exercise. He first joined Manchester United in 1991, as an assistant to then main physio Jim McGregor.
It took the departure of David Ferve in 1999, following Brian Kidd to Blackburn, before Rob Swire was promoted to Chief Physiotherapist, until his retirement yesterday. Swire had this to say on his retirement.
“It wasn’t easy, it was a big decision.”
“I’d been thinking about it for a year or more, working out when it would be right to retire.
'It’s been a fantastic job, a brilliant job, I couldn’t have wanted anything better, but after 23 years at United, and the best of 30 years in total of working pretty much seven days a week, I couldn’t keep doing it forever.”
“I had to decide at some point when to stop and now’s the time.”
During his time at the club, Swire dealt in many high profile injury cases including; David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. Which includes Rooney’s injury before the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where he was declared match fit weeks before he should have done, allowing the striker to take part in the World Cup.
His impact on the club has been huge, so much to the extent that both Ryan Giggs and Sir Alex Ferguson have gone out of their way this morning to lavish praise onto the physio. Sir Alex stated 'I worked with Rob for such a long time and I’m very proud of the job he did. He served the club so well and I wish him all the very best for the future.' Plus Ryan Giggs said the following; 'Rob has been a great servant to the club and has been here for as long as I can remember. 'He has always taken great pride in his work and is a true professional.'
Manchester United will miss this man in the coming season, but they are left in the cape able hands of Neil Hough who is the new Chief Physiotherapist at the club.