Norman Whiteside
Injuries are normally the bane of a professional footballer’s life, but for Norman Whiteside, the former Manchester United, Everton and Northern Ireland striker, they led him to a new vocation. While most players sulk at home when they’re crocked, Whiteside put self-pity to one side and turned his interest to physiotherapy textbooks.
“I got really interested in the medical side of the game when I was injured as a player,” says Whiteside, now 42, from his Podiatry Clinic in Manchester. “Mainly because I got a lot of injuries and had about 17 operations! I spent so much time with Jim McGregor, the United physio, that he educated me. It got to the point that he was setting me homework! But I was so bored, it was good learning about how muscles work.”
Before injury ended his playing days at 26, the Belfast-born, 6’2” forward was the Wayne Rooney of his day. Whiteside was the youngest man since Duncan Edwards to pull on a United shirt when he made his Old Trafford debut in 1981; he later became the youngest player to appear (and score) in an FA Cup final and broke Pelé’s record as the youngest participant in a World Cup (17 years and 41 days at España 82.)
Once he knew he wouldn’t have a very long career due to all the knocks he began to think about alternative careers. “I’d thought about becoming a physio,” he explains, “then one day I went to a podiatric clinic in Salford and decided on going down that avenue. I’m now a qualified chiropodist and podiatrist.”
Podiatrists don’t just do feet, explains Whiteside. “We deal with problems from the hip down to the big toe. I do full assessments that analyse how people move, and we can build special insoles. I have a pressurised foot tread, which shows the foot in 3D, so we can find out what the problem is.”
“It was quite hard going back to the classroom and sitting with kids who’d just done their A-levels. I’m no academic, I just had to work really hard. It sounds impressive that I’ve got a load of letters after my name, but it’s been the toughest thing I’ve ever done! Give me a football and even if there’s a million people watching, I’m OK. Standing up and getting the question wrong in front of the class is much scarier.”
“After graduating Salford University, I wrote to the PFA and got work with them. I worked with 88 of the 92 league clubs for around eight years. I used to go round the clubs and screen the 16 year-old boys to check out any lower limb problems they may have before they become professionals.”
“It was nice to go up and down the country and walk into a club. I’d always know someone – the physio, coach or the manager. It went well but eventually the PFA pulled the plug on the service, which was a shame. Now I’m building up my practice in Manchester and I enjoy it because I get all walks of life come to see me, not just sport people.”
Determined: The Autobiography by Norman Whiteside is published by Headline, priced £18.99.
NORMAN’S FEET NIGHTMARES
Sweaty feet
A lot of people get sweaty feet and they don’t look after them properly. You need to make sure you dry them properly to prevent hydrosis.
Dry feet
When people don’t lubricate their feet enough, they start to get cracks in the heels. Something as simple as E45 cream will keep the feet in good condition; they just want a drink.
Athlete’s feet
I’ve encountered some pretty bad feet. At one club - I think it was Sheffield United - 15 of the boys all had athlete’s foot. We found out it was because all their socks were being thrown in together – everybody was wearing someone else’s. So I’d advise people to keep their socks to themselves!
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?
Kenny Clements
Who has used his artistic touch to paint this fine example of abstract art? Why, it is none other than former Manchester City favourite Kenny Clements. Now a driving instructor by day, Clements relaxes by indulging in his favourite hobby. He says:
“I’ve always been quite talented at art and I’d have studied the subject at college if I hadn’t made it as a professional footballer.
“I do all sorts of art, using ink, pencil, watercolours and acrylic. More recently, I’ve got into abstract paintings and I like to work on African themes, using vibrant colours.”
Clements, who had two spells at City, is now hoping to turn his hobby into a living. “I used to give my paintings away, but now I’m doing commissioned work,” adds the 52-year-old. “We moved into a new house recently and I’m clearing out the garage to make a studio.”