Ian "Buster" Gallagher (born 30 May 1978) is an English former footballer. Gallagher owns his own physiotherapy business called First Team Physiotherapy.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ian Gallagher | ||
| Date of birth | 30 May 1978 | ||
| Place of birth | Hartlepool, England | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Hartlepool United | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1995–1997 | Hartlepool United | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career edit
Playing career edit
In 1996, Gallagher made his first and only league appearance for his boyhood club Hartlepool in a Nationwide Division Three game against Plymouth Argyle.[1][2]
Gallagher also made an appearance as a substitute in a Football League Trophy defeat against Burnley in December 1996.[3]
Physiotherapy career edit
Following a knee injury, Gallagher was forced to retire which led to him training as a physio.[4] Gallagher started working as a sports therapist at Hartlepool United following his retirement and became the club's Head Physio in 2012.[5]
In April 2017, following the sacking of Hartlepool manager Dave Jones, Gallagher was one of three men – along with Stuart Parnaby and Billy Paynter – tasked with joint caretaker-managers Matthew Bates for the final two games of the season, which ended in a defeat and a victory, but ultimately relegation due to a late Newport County goal.[6] [7]
In June 2017, Gallagher was controversially sacked from Hartlepool by the club's chairperson Pam Duxbury ending his 25-year spell with the club.[8][9] Duxbury said of his departure: "Times need to change at Hartlepool United FC to build for the future and unlock the potential that Hartlepool United has. I am fully aware of the comments which have been made on social media overnight – not just from our supporters but also from former players and managers at HUFC - and understand this may not be a popular decision."[10]
Gallagher was appointed Head Physiotherapist at National League North club York City in August 2017.[11]
Gallagher left York in August 2020 to re-take up his old position at Hartlepool United as the club's Head Physiotherapist.[12] Buster left Pools in October 2021 citing personal and business reasons.[13]
Buster opened his second physiotherapy clinic in December 2021.[14]
References edit
- ^ Caulkin, George. "Healing Hand who carries the scars". The Times. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "Buster is Back". Hartlepool United. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "Match Details". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "Buster is Back". Hartlepool United. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "Ian 'Buster' Gallagher no longer with the club after 25 years service". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "New Hartlepool United boss must have man-management skills". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "Bates: If only we'd got the job sooner". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "Ian 'Buster' Gallagher no longer with the club after 25 years service". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "Pools chief: Why I sacked Ian 'Buster' Gallagher". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "Pools chief: Why I sacked Ian 'Buster' Gallagher". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "City appoint new medical team". York City FC. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "Popular physio Ian Gallagher to return to Hartlepool United". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "Hartlepool United make physio appointment after Buster departure".
- ^ "Former Hartlepool United physio opens second clinic". Northern Echo.