Lucy Burrows

From lecture theatres at Keele University to community-based placements, Lucy Burrows has turned her ambition into reality after securing her dream job in the fast-paced world of the English Football League (EFL). 

Now working as a First Team Physiotherapist at Port Vale Football Club, Lucy plays a key role in supporting players both on and off the pitch, helping them recover from injury and maintain peak physical condition. She credits her time at Keele with giving her the skills, experience, and confidence needed to succeed in the demanding environment of professional football. 

Before graduating from Keele in 2025 with a first-class Master’s degree in Physiotherapy, Lucy had already secured a role at Port Vale after impressing during a placement with the League Two club. She believes the hands-on placement opportunities she completed during her degree were instrumental in helping her launch her career. 

Lucy said: “I completed eight placements during my degree, ranging from hospital settings to sports injury clinics and football clubs, and the experience I gained from each one was invaluable. Every placement helped me develop different skills and gave me a broader understanding of the profession. 

“I’m a big believer that placements can open doors. If you work hard, perform well, and leave a lasting impression, they can create opportunities that genuinely shape your career - and that has certainly been the case for me. 

“When I came to Keele as a mature student, I was very ambitious and eager to gain as much varied experience as possible. I self-sourced many of my placements and Keele was always supportive of what I was trying to achieve. 

“I didn’t want to limit myself to hospital placements alone - I wanted to explore different areas of physiotherapy. Through those experiences, I realised by the end of my second year that sport and football more specifically were where I wanted my career to go, and the placements gave me a clear sense of direction for my future.” 

Lucy Burrows at Port Vale's training ground

In her current role at Port Vale, Lucy is part of the backroom team on matchdays, ready to provide immediate pitch-side care and support to players throughout the game. As a qualified Intermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football (ITMMiF) practitioner, she is trained to assess and manage serious injuries in a football environment, ensuring players receive prompt and appropriate care when needed. 

Lucy herself experienced the impact of emergency medical care in 2021 when she suffered multiple injuries, including two broken legs and a broken back, after falling from a horse during a riding competition. She was unable to walk for three months and was using a wheelchair and crutches when she started her degree at Keele. 

Since joining Port Vale, Lucy has already experienced several memorable moments, including the club’s promotion from League Two in 2025 and a visit to Premier League side Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-final in 2026 - the club’s first appearance at that stage of the competition for 72 years. 

She said: “I love the demands and high-performance environment that comes with professional football. My day typically starts with planning meetings in the morning, followed by assessments and treatment sessions for players who need support. On matchdays, I’m in the dugout, ready to go onto the pitch if a player requires treatment. 

“I love the variety and unpredictability that comes with the role. No two days are ever the same, and no two injuries are the same either. The hours are varied, which suits me, and I get to travel all over the country for away fixtures. Going to Chelsea was just an incredible experience and something I will never forget. I couldn’t imagine working a typical nine-to-five job, so this career is perfect for me. 

“During my NHS placements, I enjoyed helping people, but you would sometimes only spend 30 minutes or an hour with a patient, which never felt long enough for me. In my current role, I work with the same players regularly and build strong relationships and rapport with them, which is something I really value. 

“Having experienced a serious injury myself, I can also relate to players when they are injured. It has given me a deeper understanding of what they are going through, both physically and mentally.” 

Away from football, Lucy also runs her own physiotherapy and wellness company, Athletica Therapy, based in Macclesfield. She is also a qualified personal trainer, gym instructor, and sports massage therapist. 

Lucy also runs her own physiotherapy and wellness company

Asked what advice she would give to current Keele students, Lucy said: “People often ask me how I went straight from university into a role at a football league club, and the honest answer is hard work. I put everything into my time at Keele and seized every opportunity available to me, so that I was in the best possible position when I graduated. 

“If you want to work in sport, I would definitely encourage students to reach out to local sports clubs and gain as much experience as possible. Some of the best experience comes from volunteering your time.  

“I used to come to Port Vale before I was being paid and gave up my time for free, but it goes a long way if you make a good impression because people remember it. Be proactive, make connections, put yourself out there, and don’t be afraid to be a bit cheeky and ask for opportunities.”