Transfer deadline day medical - what does that actually mean?

Transfer deadline day is looming and player medicals become a hot topic as the media activity reaches fever pitch.

With the help of the expert team at Perform at St. George's Park, the National Football Centre, we take a look at what a medical actually involves.

The pressure to complete medicals on players whilst managing a full squad and full fixture list (with midweek fixtures in the final week, which always seems to be the case) is a challenge for all medical department however well-staffed you may be.

The importance of a pre signing medical cannot be underestimated. It is not purely a pass or fail exercise, but rather an opportunity to gather essential information on a player, which is likely to build the players preventative rehabilitation programme around it.

It is very rare in professional football that you get 6-8 hours with one player, so this is the perfect opportunity to gather such information while you can.

Perform, part of Spire Health Care are now offering this service to all clubs. The pre signing medical will be bespoke to the needs of the club. It can be a simple as providing MRI and Echo/ECG for the player or a more comprehensive package could include some of the following.

All services can usually be put together within 24 hours and 7 days a week nationwide using any of our 38 hospitals nationwide. All services will provide an immediate verbal report followed by full comprehensive reporting within 24-48 hours.

SEM Doctor

• Review of previous medical notes
• Review of current medical health
• Orthopaedic and health screen
• Bloods
• Urine
• Other services available at request

Physiotherapy

• Movement screen
• Comprehensive orthopaedic screen
• Functional assessment

Sport Science

• Balance assessment (Y Balance / Biodex postural sway
• Power assessment (isokinetics / jump testing)
• Other services available at request

Additional Services

• Echo / ECG
• Multi-site MRI
• CT / X ray

These packages can be put together to suit the needs of the club and will be managed from start to finish.

From one initial phone call to Perform at St George's Park the Perform team will manage the whole day from start to finish. This is to include the transfers to and from all hospitals, all investigations, lunch for players, club staff and agents and reporting.

Clubs can also be assured of confidentiality we will ensure players are brought in and leave facilities discretely.

For more information go to http://www.spirehealthcare.com/perform/perform-at-st-georges-park

England sponsors Team Up in Tesco Promotion Giveaway

England Team Sponsors Vauxhall and Mars® have teamed up to give fans the chance to win one of five Vauxhall ADAM Jam vehicles as part of a Tesco store promotion.

Football will hit fever pitch this Summer and Tesco customers who use their Tesco Club Cards when purchasing a 7 pack of Mars® Bars will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win a Vauxhall ADAM Jam.

The promotion will run across all participating stores up and down the United Kingdom from January 22nd until February 11th with five lucky winners taking home a brand new ADAM.

The partnership brings together two of the England Football Team Sponsors as well as the UK’s grocery market leader. Over 2 million customers walk through Tesco’s doors every week with over 16 million online Club Card accounts.

Vauxhall Sponsorship Marketing Manager Cheryl Stibbs said, “This promotion marks a fantastic partnership between three integral UK brands.

“Passion and loyalty are two values shared by Vauxhall and Mars in their sponsorship of the England Football Team.

We think this is a great opportunity to reward loyal Tesco customers with a chance to drive home a brand new Vauxhall ADAM Jam.”

Carrie Martin, Mars Chocolate UK Retail Excellence Director, said; “We are really proud to support the England football team and even prouder of the fans that get behind the team. This partnership is an opportunity for us to reward fans with a great offer”

Keep a look out for the promotion and make sure you enter for a chance to win an award winning Vauxhall ADAM.

To apply for a Tesco Club Card log on to www.tesco.com/clubcard. 

Follow @VauxhallEngland on Twitter

Log on to www.vauxhallfootball.co.uk for more information





For full T&Cs visit www.tesco.com/marsandvauxhall

Young Lions in action this week at St George's Park

England's U17 football side is in action this week against Belgium in a double-header of internationals hosted at the FA National Training centre in Burton. 

The Young Lions host the Belgians on Tuesday 28th (14.30) and Thursday 30th (12.00) at St George's Park. Head Coach John Peacock has named a strong 22-man squad including recalls for Arsenal midfielder Dan Crowley who missed November's Euro qualifiers.

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Vauxhall becomes official Liverpool FC Automotive Partner

Ian Ayre (Liverpool FC MD) & Keith Michaels (Vauxhall Head of Marketing Operations) celebrate at Anfield.

Luton – Vauxhall Motors will add to its UK football sponsorship portfolio by becoming the Official Automotive Partner of Liverpool Football Club. The deal will run through to the end of the 2015-16 season and kicks off at home to Arsenal on 8th February 2014. 

“Vauxhall Motors has enjoyed great success over the past three seasons with our Home Nations football sponsorships,” said Vauxhall Chairman & Managing Director, Duncan Aldred.

He continued “This exciting new sponsorship will undoubtedly benefit from the experience we have gained in international football and we look forward to the prospect of a partnership with such an iconic club as Liverpool FC.”

Liverpool FC Managing Director Ian Ayre said: “We are delighted to welcome Vauxhall on board as a partner of Liverpool FC. They have highly credible football credentials and a reputation for engaging sponsorship activation.”

Vauxhall is the lead partner of the national teams and football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Visit the Vauxhall Football website at www.vauxhallfootball.co.uk.

England line up Peru, Ecuador and Honduras friendlies

England will play three games immediately prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the FA have confirmed.

Peru, Ecuador and Honduras will provide the opposition as Roy Hodgson's men put the finishing touches on their preparations for Brazil.

The Three Lions will first take on Peru in their final game at Wembley Stadium before the tournament on Friday 30 May (8pm KO).

They will then travel to the United States for two matches in Miami’s Sunlife Stadium.

England will face Ecuador on Wednesday 4 June (3pm KO local time) and then Honduras on Saturday 7 June (4.45pm KO local time).

Read the full article on the Vauxhall England football website. 

Follow Vauxhall England on Twitter (@VauxhallEngland) and on Facebook.

Perform SGP lead physio talks ACL injuries.

Unfortunately ACL injuries are once again in the news, with England star Theo Walcott being ruled out of the 2014 Brazil World Cup after his untimely exit from the Arsenal v Tottenham FA Cup clash last weekend.

Walcott now joins a growing list of England football stars who have suffered cruciate knee injuries including Michael Owen, Owen Hargreaves and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

In his latest blog, Perform St George's Park lead physiotherapist Paul Williamson explains just why these ACL injuries are becoming an all too frequent occurrence in the professional game.

Read Paul Williamson's full article on the Vauxhall England website.

Located at the FA's brand new national football centre, Perform not only takes care of England's best footballers but also offers a hub for the local sports and business community. Find out more about Perform St George's Park here.

NFL Cheerleaders available for media opportunities in UK!

ROAR of the Jaguars at Wembley in 2012.

The beautiful ladies from the ROAR of the Jaguars will be touching down in London ahead of the Super Bowl on Sunday February 2nd and will be available for media interviews and performances.

The ROAR of the Jaguars cheerleaders are one of the top squads in America's National Football league, where they perform in front of over 65,000 fans at the EverBank stadium, home stadium of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The girls will be returning to the UK again in November 2014, when  the Jacksonville Jaguars  host the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10. Scheduled at iconic Wembley stadium on Sunday November 9, 2014 (6pm GST) the match is one of three scheduled NFL games taking place in the UK in 2014.

To arrange an appearance with the ROAR of the Jaguars cheerleaders, please contact Aimée Preston at aimee.preston@macesport.co.uk. 

For information on how to purchase tickets for the 2014 UK NFL series, visit the NFL UK website.

Vauxhall launch 2013 Photography competition!

Roy Hodgson presenting  to the 2012 Vauxhall England winner.

The annual Vauxhall Photography competition is back and bigger than ever with a new third category introduced for 2013!

As the Official sponsor of all four Home Nations, the Vauxhall Photography Competition offers an unrivalled opportunity for photographers to be recognised internationally for their work, as well as by the very subjects they photograph year-in-year-out!

The competition has previously awarded the Photographer of the Year and Best Individual Photograph but for the first time this year, Vauxhall will also be awarding a prize to the Best Supporter Image. The lucky winners will not only receive a cash prize but also the opportunity to be presented with their award in person by the respective Home Nations' Manager.

Please note, all entries must be submitted using an official entry form - deadline for entries is February 14th, 2014.

For more information on how to enter please contact Aimée Preston at aimee.preston@macesport.co.uk.

Spurs and Leeds enter into partnerships across the pond.

Leeds United have agreed a partnership with National Football League franchise the San Francisco 49ers, while Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed an advertising rights package with MLS side Toronto FC as part of a deal that involves striker Jermain Defoe joining Ryan Nelson’s team.

As part of the deal with the Sky Bet Championship side, a delegation of 49ers backroom staff will meet with their counterparts at Leeds to share best practices in areas such as ticketing, sponsorship, retail, technology, commercial opportunities and merchandising.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur and England striker Jermain Defoe will join Toronto FC on the 28th February and will be hoping that his performances there will impress in the run up to World Cup selection. The local fans are understandably very excited to watch their new signing and have even released a You Tube video poking fun at British supporters.

Read the full press release here.

NFL UK tickets now available for purchase!

Tuesday saw the release of club and premium tickets to NFL fans hoping to catch a glimpse of their stars in the UK!

Expect more drama as two fan favourites clash when the Oakland Raiders take on the Miami Dolphins on 28 September 2014 and some fast-paced action when the Atlanta Falcons host the Detroit Lions on 26 October 2014.

All this before the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10 on Sunday, November 9 at 6pm UK time.

Initial ticket sales details have also been confirmed, with season tickets on sale now.

For more information, click here.

Date confirmed for Soccerex Asian Forum in Jordan

Following last month’s confirmation that Soccerex will be providing a gateway to Asia and helping to develop football across the continent through a new event in Jordan, the dates and venue for the Soccerex Asian Forum have now been confirmed.

The new event, held in partnership with the Asian Football Development Project (AFDP), will take place on 13th & 14th May at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre, a stunning location on the banks of The Dead Sea.

The Forum will bring together leading figures from the world of Asian football as well as other international football experts to discuss the development of the game across Asia.

For more information, click here.

Broncos and 49ers match up with Patriots and Seahawks

Peyton Manning powered the Denver Broncos to within one win of Super Bowl XLVII and San Francisco advanced as well by beating the Carolina Panthers in Sunday's National Football League Divisional playoff games.

Manning threw two touchdown passes to lead Denver over San Diego 24-17 while Colin Kaepernick ran for one touchdown and threw for another to lift the 49ers to victory at Carolina 23-10.

Denver will host New England and San Francisco will visit Seattle in next Sunday's Conference Championship games with those winners to meet in the Super Bowl on February 2 in New York.

Read the full Daily Telegraph article here.

Lionesses kick start 2014 with Norway fixture

England Women's play their first fixture of 2014 tomorrow when they go head to head with Norway in La Manga.

The Lionesses are away training this week for the first time under new head coach Mark Sampson.

The former Bristol Academy boss, who was named as Hope Powell's successor in December, will run the rule over 30 players in the warm climes of southern Spain. In an interview with BBC Sport, England defender Alex Scott told of the excitement in the squad, with everyone "fighting for places" ahead of tomorrow's Norway friendly.

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England Futsal in Soccer AM appearance

England's Futsal squad were paid a visit by the cameras from Sky's Soccer AM show as they were put to the test for the Crossbar Challenge.

With the squad preparing for their double-header with Lithuania in Barking late last year, Peter Sturgess and his players took time out from training to test their accuracy.

England Futsal Head Coach Peter Sturgess and his squad took the Crossbar Challenge.

Using a standard Futsal pitch and ball, captain Luke Ballinger was the first to step up before his squad mates, and Sturgess himself, all tried their luck.

Watch the video, courtesy of Soccer AM and Sky - click here.

Schmeichel shirt auction raising money for Leicester Poppy Appeal.

Leicester City fans have been bidding to buy a shirt signed and worn by Precision Goalkeeping's Kasper Schmeichel.

The eBay sale of a poppy-embroidered shirt, which was worn by the Foxes' keeper in matches last year against Nottingham Forest and Watford, was designed to commemorate the Royal British Legion appeal.

All money raised will help the Leicestershire Poppy Appeal's fund-raising target of £500,000.

Giles Coleman, the Royal British Legion's community fund-raiser for Leicestershire and Rutland, said: "Kasper is a great player and may go on to make the Danish international jersey his own.

"I would urge as many as possible to bid for the shirt."

Follow @PrecisionGK on Twitter.

Become a fan on Precision Goalkeeping on Facebook.

Suarez Scoops Players of the Year Award at FSF Awards

Luis Suarez scooped the 'Player of the Year' title at the FSF Awards in association with William Hill, beating competition from Robin Van Persie, Pablo Zabaleta, Christian Benteke, Leighton Baines and Juan Mata.

Suarez, who attended the event last month at the Emirates to collect his Player of the Year award, said: “It is a great honour for me to receive such a prestigious award from the fans.

“This award is not just for me but for my team-mates, management and coaching staff, and for everyone connected with Liverpool Football Club. Without them, I would not be the recipient of the award."

Watch Luis' accept his award - click here

Watch the interview with Luis after collecting his award - click here