Abort Agent Galley, ABORT!

[cymrococh]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/au...nchester-united

 

The Football Association has denied it caved into pressure from Manchester United in removing a Liverpool Academy physiotherapist from duty with the England squad.

 

It is understood that Manchester United's chief executive David Gill, also a board member at the FA, objected to Dave Galley, who has more than 25 years' experience as a football physiotherapist, working with Fabio Capello's squad. It is understood that he objected on the grounds that using non-independent staff contravenes FA policy, although concerns a Premier League rival would have access to potentially sensitive medical information could have played a part.

 

Galley has worked with the Under-21s for several years before being seconded to the seniors for the friendly with Holland. He had been due to continue under the direction of the full-time physio Gary Lewin for the friendly with Slovenia and the World Cup qualifier against Croatia.

 

"Dave has reverted back to the Under-21s after one game," said an FA spokesman last night. "There should be no questions against his professionalism. We must be clear that there is an agreed board policy that has nothing to do with Manchester United, that the medical staff should be independent.

 

"Franco Baldini [Capello's general manager] and Rafael Benítez [Liverpool's manager] discussed the matter yesterday and it was explained we wanted to see Dave working with the team in the friendly this month. We deny any suggestion that we have been pressurised by Manchester United."

 

The FA policy of having independent medical staff saw Lewin appointed as the senior squad's full-time physiotherapist from Arsenal in August last year, with Ian Beasley joining as the England doctor four months later, also from Arsenal.

 

Galley first joined the Anfield backroom operation in 1999 before leaving in 2005 for stints as chief physiotherapist at Derby County, Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic before returning to Liverpool.

[Stevie H]

thought gary lewin was the arsenal physio?

[Benzo-13]

Paranoid bunch those Mancs.

[meredithmathieson]

Had it been the other way round, I'm sure this mornings Press would have been full of 'Liverpool jeopardize England World Cup chances in petty club dispute', or some such.

[Chili Palmer]

I didn't even know he'd came back to us! wasn't there rumours that Rafa and him had a bust up after Istanbul and Rafa got rid. I will be scarred for life if all these rumours on the internet fail to be true. I live my life by them!

[Andy @ Allerton]

Oh. The FA being influenced by Manchester United when their head bod is, erm, the head bod at Manchester United.

 

Erm.. Well. I for one can't see a link there.

 

Gill is involved with the referees and the Premier League as well isn't he?

Edited August 28, 2009 by Andy @ Allerton

[DJS]

Weird article. Galley's not been our physio for years.

[mark s]

maybe they are talking about Mark Waller as he is the doctor for the under-21s.

[Falconhoof]

maybe he'll discover sensitive information like 'Hargreaves is injured'

[dorgie]

Last line of that article says he's back with Liverpool now.

 

I bet the Mancs are seriously worried what he'll discover in Ferdinand's blood. (seriously).

Edited August 28, 2009 by dorgie

[Red Kent]

Well if there was ever proof that the Manc t***s run our FA then this is it.

 

As soon as Ferguson retires they will become a mid-table team.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Hmmmmmm, club physio's cant be involved with the national association but the CEO of a club can be in a position to pull strings at the highest level ............ I'm sure there is a saying with the words pot and kettle in there somewhere.

[oakie bob]

looking at the lfc staff list he isnt even listed but when did John Achterberg join as reserve team goalkeeper coach, was he not Tranmeres Keeper ages ago

[Red Kent]

looking at the lfc staff list he isnt even listed but when did John Achterberg join as reserve team goalkeeper coach, was he not Tranmeres Keeper ages ago

 

During the summer he joined, and he stopped playing for Tranny a few seasons ago, he was coaching over there when we got him.