Gary Lewin

Gary Lewin (born 16 May 1964) is the current permanent first-team physiotherapist for the England national football team. He was formerly head physiotherapist at Arsenal Football Club, having been at the club between 1980 and 2008, when his cousin (Colin Lewin) took over after his departure.

Biography

He joined Arsenal as a young goalkeeper aged 16, and became reserve-team physio at the age of 19, after a one-year spell at Barnet as a player. He trained at Guy's Hospital School of Physiotherapy from 1983 to 1986, before returning to Arsenal in 1986 as first -team physiotherapist.

He has a BSc (hons) in Biology, a Diploma in Physiotherapy, is a Member of the College of Sports Physiotherapists, and is a State Registered Physiotherapist. He has become an expert on hamstring injuries, due to his experiences with Tony Adams, and advised Birmingham City's physio's on the treatment of often-injured midfielder David Dunn.

During the 2007 Football League Cup Final on 25 February 2007, Lewin was close to the incident where Chelsea skipper John Terry was hit in the face by Abou Diaby's foot during a corner in the Arsenal penalty area. Terry swallowed his tongue and Lewin was the first physio that rushed over and assisted Terry, possibly saving his life. This is not the only time he has done this - in 1989, he almost had to break David Rocastle's jaw to perform the same life-saving treatment. More recently, Lewin has been credited by then Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva with saving da Silva's foot and career after a broken leg suffered on February 23, 2008.