Gary Lewin to join England team on full-time basis

Chartered Physiotherapist Gary Lewin is to leave Arsenal Football Club after nearly 30 years association with the Club.

Gary is becoming the Head of Physiotherapy to the England Senior Men’s Football Team at the Football Association from 1st August 2008.

Gary has been a physiotherapist with England since 1996, and has already been involved with the squad at three World Cup Finals and two European Championships, and has worked at over 100 matches for his national team.

Lewin (44), who was a promising goalkeeper in his younger years, actually joined Arsenal as an apprentice in 1980, but decided to focus on a career in physiotherapy, following a playing spell with Barnet Football Club.

After taking his appropriate physiotherapy exams, training at Guy’s Hospital School of Physiotherapy, Gary returned to Arsenal as a part-time physio in August 1983.

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However, Lewin’s rapid rise continued apace and in 1986 he was promoted to the position of first team physio on a full-time basis, with the Division One match at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground on 27th September 1986 being Gary’s first match in the role.

Since that day, Gary has been the Arsenal’s first team physio for precisely 1,205 matches in total, a quite remarkable achievement. During that time, Gary has worked under three managers (George Graham, Bruce Rioch and Arsène Wenger) and has been part of Arsenal teams which have won five League Championships, five FA Cups, two League Cups and one European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Ken Friar, Acting Managing Director, who has known Gary ever since he first joined the Club as a young player, said: “Quite simply, Gary Lewin is one of the best physiotherapists in world football today. We are all sad that he is leaving us, but we totally understand and accept his decision to seek new challenges in this newly created full-time role with the Football Association, one that we know he will meet with enthusiastic professionalism.

“Gary has played an integral role in the Club’s medical set-up for many years, and on behalf of Arsène, the directors, players and staff, I would just like to thank him for his massive contribution towards Arsenal Football Club during his time here.

“Gary will be greatly missed by all the players and his work colleagues at the Club and I know he will still keep in touch, as he will still have many friends here at Emirates Stadium. We wish him the very best of luck for the future in his new position.”

Lewin will continue in his role at the Club into pre-season until his contract with Football Association commences on 1st August. The Club will communicate the re-structure within the medical team in due course.