The Lionesses’ physiotherapist: ‘I’m open about my faith’

My name is Fran Clarkson, and I’m the women’s lead physiotherapist at the English Football Association (FA). I head up physiotherapy delivery across all squads, coordinating other physios from youth teams through to seniors. My direct work is with the Lionesses, the women’s senior national team.

I’ve been a physio for 17 years, starting in the NHS. I always wanted to get into sports physio and in 2016, I transitioned to Derbyshire Cricket Club before moving to the FA in January 2022. I took on the senior role full-time shortly before Christmas 2023.

You don’t see international team players as regularly as you do when you are a club physio. I can be working either on-camp, when the players join up for days or weeks for fixtures or a tournament, or off-camp, when there’s more of a responsibility to keep up with where the players are and raise the standards of medical support in the women’s team. 

I love being around people, being part of a team, and, of course, sport. Being with the Lionesses at the World Cup was a privilege, although long, intense periods away from friends, family and my church community can be challenging.

In elite sport, where results are highly visible, there’s immense pressure on players who want to return to the pitch quickly after injuries. I need to be confident in my ability to assess, treat and provide the best evidence-based advice to help them make informed decisions. Supporting players through these times is crucial, and there is pressure even though I’m not a player and don’t have their status. 

Value, worth and identity in sport often become performance-driven, which can be unsatisfying. Having my identity rooted in Jesus doesn’t lessen my desire to be part of a winning team, but it’s not everything – I hope I can model that there’s more to life. The career of an elite footballer typically ends in your 30s. Separating your identity as a footballer from your identity as a person can be challenging.

I’m open about my faith, and that can increase the pressure if I make a mistake, keeping me humble. The intensity of the schedule and environment can be demanding. While there might be pressure to make special efforts with the most popular or successful players, I strive to treat all staff and players with equal worth.

Please pray that I work well with my colleagues and do everything I can to help the team succeed. Please also pray that I am able to work with wisdom and integrity, glorifying God in all I do.

Fran Clarkson was speaking to Paul Woolley