HOPKINSON MEETS... ROB HULSE

Still about the goals... in the NHS

IN 16 years as a professional footballer, striker Rob Hulse played under lots of different managers.

Neil Warnock at Sheffield United, Kevin Blackwell at Leeds and Nigel Clough at Derby to name but three.

Hulse (above) is now a qualified physiotherapist, working in the NHS – so are there any old bosses he would like to get to grips with? “I’d probably leave all of them to be honest,” Hulse said, laughing.

“Neil at Sheffield United, I had the most fun playing for him.

“I re-signed for him at QPR, although I didn’t like him as much then – he never played me there.

“During my career, I had lots of different injuries and they always interested me, so physiotherapy just seemed the logical step.

“It was always my exit strategy — you can’t play football for ever, and I always thought it’d be a natural progression.”

After hanging up his boots in October 2013, Hulse enrolled at Salford University through the Professional Footballers’ Association and completed a degree.

He said: “I get a broad spectrum of work. I’m on oncology now, so you’re helping people get mobile again. It’s totally different from the environment I’ve been used to.

“It can put things in perspective, compared to a torn hamstring.

“I’m really open with what the future holds. When I first retired from football I thought, ‘No, I just need a clean break’, but I did a placement at Leicestershire County Cricket Club and I absolutely loved it. Just being around the lads again, I really enjoyed it.”

Hulse added: “The psychosocial aspect of injuries is a big part of physio at the moment.

“The fear of getting injured, fear of pain, depression, life at home, job security, all can have an impact. I look back on times in my own career where there were injuries or things not right – and I can certainly see the links now.”