FA release film to raise awareness of concussions

The FA have released a new film, 'Concussion for Players: Lessons from the Pitch', which aims to raise awareness among players about the importance of recognising and responding to concussion symptoms.

The film features the stories of three football players, each playing at different levels of the game, who have all experienced concussions.

Kevin Doyle, a former Reading and Ireland striker, suffered a concussion during a training session; grassroots player Mitch Lacey reveals his concussion occurred when an opponent 'came straight through me with his elbow into the back of my head'; while Millie Bright – who plays for Chelsea in the FA Women's Super League and for the England national team – says her concussion occurred following an aerial duel between her and another player.

One of the experts behind the film, Dr Lisa Hodgson - the FA's medical education lead, said:

"Our hope is that we can get as many players around the country watching this film.

"Having such honest accounts from Kevin, Millie and Mitch - all of whom have experienced concussion at different levels of the game - shows that concussion isn't something that happens to one type of player.

"It occurs due to one event or causes one type of head injury with the same symptoms. Concussion is multi-factorial in both cause and outcome.

"If you're a coach, parent or carer of a player - no matter what age or level - we recommend first giving this a watch and then finding a way of sharing it with your players.”

The film follows the ‘If in doubt, sit it out’ guidelines launched in 2015 by The FA for managing head injuries at all levels of the game. The revised guidelines are aimed at those who manage head injuries in professional and grassroots football - from clubs and schools, to parents and doctors. The FA’s website states:

Footballers who sustain a suspected concussion, either during training or in a game, should immediately be removed from the pitch and not allowed to return until the appropriate treatment has been administered.

Nicola Mepstead, Senior Personal Injury Solicitor here at Potter Rees Dolan, comments:

I live in a house that is football mad. From my partner being involved as a coach, my stepson playing at County level and for about 4 different local teams just this season, both of them having season tickets for Manchester United and watching pretty much any match that’s on the TV, plus my own insistence on watching Charlton whenever possible... Even taking our 3 year old to watch Salford City in the home leg of their play off!

That’s a lot of football and it’s astounding the number of times the game is stopped for some sort of clash of heads, some of which look horrific, but very rarely do you see anyone being subbed due to concussion. The culture still seems to be that the players are expected to carry on and I understand that most of them want to and are desperate to keep playing. Therefore, raising awareness at all levels and involving the players in that is a very welcome move.

Nicola Mepstead is a senior personal injury solicitor with Potter Rees Dolan.

Should you have any queries about head injuries, post concussion syndrome or any other personal injury issues and wish to speak to Nicola or any other member of the team, please contact us on 0161 237 5888.

Alternatively, email Nicola through the contact form here.