A Physiotherapists View

When physiotherapist Adam Crump sets off for a Wellington Phoenix away game it looks as if he is going on a month’s vacation.

Seven large pieces of luggage are loaded into the kit man’s Hyundai van, which by this time is bursting at the seams.

First test of the trip comes at the airport where he and the kit man like to get all the large baggage, usually around 15 pieces checked in before the players arrive.

For the first couple of years it was a nightmare, but these days the Qantas check in personnel have the procedure off pat and make it a painless operation.

Once at the hotel his equipment has to be installed in his room and, sometimes, one of the benefits of the job is that he usually gets the biggest room.

Mind you, when the massage table is in place, along with drink containers, the medical coffin and boxes of protein and muesli bars it doesn’t look quite so large.

However long the trip, be it two days or eight, Crumpy’s room becomes the meeting point for the players.

“There might only be one player in for treatment but it doesn’t take long for others to arrivefor a chat,” Crumpy says.

“There is plenty of good banter and a lot of mickey taking. Within the squad there is a real togetherness, but the All Whites seem to stick together, while the Aussie boys all seem to turn up together.”

So what attracts them when they don’t need treatment.

“I think the main attraction is the lollies and protein bars, the TV and the internet. Hotels can be lonely places if you stay in your room all the time. The physio room is a good meeting place for everyone,”

No one in the Phoenix travelling party is busier than Crumpy, whether it be treating injuries or giving massages. So who does he see most often?

“Some are on the [massage] bed more often than others. I see Brownie quite a bit, and Vinnie. Greenie also comes in quite often but you can’t blame him. After all he is 30-something. Actually it is his wheelchair that takes the most fixing!”

The downside of the job is that the boys can come banging on Crumpy’s door looking for late night snacks.

Most of the time he doesn’t answer the door, but one time he did the intruders raided the pizza shapes and scattered them outside the door of goalkeeping coach Jonathon Gould.

Now anyone who knows Gouldy will testify that the culprits were well advised to be nowhere in sight when he opened his door.

Crumpy isn’t one to be trifled with either, as one or two people at A-League grounds will testify. If the air conditioning isn’t working to his satisfaction, or he feels he has been short changed on Gatorade or bottled water – look out.

It was natural that Crumpy should end up working at New Zealand’s only professional football club.

After six years qualifying as a physio through university and post-graduation he went to work for Roland Jeffery who just happens to be the All Whites physio.

Roland also worked for the Phoenix in season two and it was only natural when he left at the end of that season to concentrate on his Auckland practice that Crumpy, as everyone affectionately calls him, should take over after serving an apprenticeship with New Zealand national age grade sides.

One thing is for sure: for a physio life on the road with a football club is never dull.