Sport · Swindon
Swindon Town search for third head physio of the year amid injury crisis
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
The club is seeking a new head physiotherapist following the departure of Aristotelis Pavlidis, marking the third time the role has been vacant in 2026.
Swindon Town are searching for a new head physiotherapist as the club faces continued uncertainty in its medical department. The vacancy follows the departure of Aristotelis Pavlidis, who is leaving the role just four months after joining in June.
Pavlidis originally arrived to replace Jackson Bradley, who departed for Barnsley in February. The club’s latest recruitment effort, which began in late November, seeks a new First Team Head Physiotherapist alongside a junior recruit as part of an expansion of the current medical setup. Ian Hogan, who serves as the club’s sports therapist and rehabilitation specialist, will remain in his position.
The change in personnel comes against a backdrop of significant injury struggles that have hampered the side’s performance throughout the season. Statistics show that 22 players have suffered injuries since returning for pre-season training in July, with several incidents involving long-term recovery periods. While some events, such as Gavin Kilkenny’s ankle injury during a pre-season match against Leyton Orient, were outside the club’s control, the frequency of physical setbacks has become a persistent concern.
Manager Ian Holloway has previously stated that the club is exploring various avenues to address these injury issues, with the restructuring of the medical team forming a key part of the recovery strategy. Former Swindon Town physiotherapist Paul Godfrey highlighted the broader challenges faced by clubs in League One and League Two, suggesting that many medical departments are often understaffed and stretched.
Speaking on the wider pressures within football medical teams, Godfrey noted that the balance between training loads and recovery is critical. He stated that clubs frequently operate with minimal staff, making it difficult to manage the physical demands placed on players throughout a gruelling season. He emphasised that ensuring staff have the right level of experience is essential to avoid relying on junior members to handle complex injury management.
The departure of Pavlidis is the latest in a series of high-level staff changes at the Nigel Eady County Ground. Earlier this month, it was confirmed that Chief Financial Officer Paul Barclay had also left his role, having joined the club at the same time as Pavlidis in June. These departures reflect a period of high turnover within the club's non-playing departments as the board seeks to stabilise its operations.
Source: Swindon Advertiser — Sport · View original