Advisory Board
The FMPA Advisory board is an important driver of the association. Members elected to the board come from across the disciplines, the leagues and the mens and womens game in the UK.
The aim of the advisory board is to advise and guide the association from the perspective of those practitioners working at the coal face of the game. The role of the board is pivotal and members are instrumental in shaping the future of the medicine and performance sector in professional football.
Imtiaz is Head of Medical at Queens Park Rangers FC having joined the Club in 2016. He has previously worked at Tottenham Hotspur FC, Millwall FC and The FA. Imtiaz is Co-Chairman of The FA Medical Society (SE) and works at Lord’s for the MCC. He trained at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital and is currently the Lead Doctor for the injection clinic. His interests are musculoskeletal ultrasound, communication and mental health in football.
Alan Rankin has BSc (hons) Physiotherap, qualifying in 1995
and an MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine gained in 2006.
Worked in elite football full time and part time since 1994- Clubs include Rangers FC, Port Vale FC, Charlton Athletic FC and Hamilton Academical FC with their men’s teams. Also worked with the Wales FA Men’s A squad for 2 years and the Scotland FA Men’s under 21 squad for 9 years.
Member of the FMPA steering group since 2016 and is now passionate about the growth and development of Womens football. Currently works with the Scotland FA Women’s under 19 squad.
In addition to running a private clinic in Glasgow, is also part of the medical teams for British Gymnastics, Scotland Rugby, British Skeleton, UK Athletics and British/ England Hockey.
Having headed up the design and delivery of The Sports Science Department at Middlesbrough for over 10 years Chris is known to many in the Professional game. With a BSc and MSc amongst his credits and a background lecturing, Chris is now a Consultant in applied sports science and currently is involved with West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United amongst others. Chris also has an extensive portfolio of published material making him a much sought after practitioner of his discipline.
Dave is a Consultant Physiotherapist who formerly led the medical set up at Blackburn Rovers for 13 years. Dave has worked with a number of Clubs most notably Manchester United 1994 – 1999 and Wigan Rugby League, Leigh Rugby Club and Great Britain Rugby League. One of the “seniors” amongst us, Dave finds the time to lecture extensively at home and abroad and is currently involved in several research projects.
The Football Medicine and Performance Association (FMPA) were saddened to hear of the passing of Professor Graham N. Smith. Graham was a pioneering physiotherapist and highly respected clinician within in his profession and in particular establishing the Society of Sports Therapists.
Russ has over a decade of experience of working in private practice and professional sport as a physiotherapist, sports scientist and strength and conditioning coach.
Russ has a PhD in exercise physiology and degrees in physiotherapy and sports science. He is a BASES (British Association of Sports and Exercise Sciences) high performance accredited practitioner, as well as being a Chartered Physiotherapist and scientist.
Russ is currently Head of Sports Science and Medicine at Blackburn Rovers Academy.
FMPA Advisory Board Members have a 4 year term which is subject to extension. New Board Members are nominated by existing Members and where no nomination is received for a particular discipline, the appointee is made at the discretion of the CEO.
Meetings are called bi-annually unless a specific matter requires more urgent addressing which any member may request.