Popular physio Ian Gallagher to return to Hartlepool United

Gallagher, who spent a total of 25 years at Pools before his shock exit in 2017, had been head physio at Victoria Park since 2012 working under nine managers including John Hughes, Ronnie Moore, Craig Hignett and Dave Jones.

The decision by then chief executive Pam Duxbury sparked outrage among Pools’ fanbase but Gallagher is now set to return after three years at York City.

His return has not yet been officially announced by the club. However, it has been confirmed on the Premier Player Football Academy Facebook page, Gallagher is a Premier Player physio partner.

A statement read: "Delighted to announce that Ian "Busta" Gallagher has decided to move on from his role at York City and move back home to become Hartlepool United First Team Physio.

“Ian has a wealth of experience and has been Head Physio at Hartlepool United and York City and was Head of Hartlepool United Academy Medical team for 4 years.”

It was announced Monday Gallagher would be leaving York.

Gallagher told the York website: “It was a really hard decision. I’ve been here nearly three years now and loved every minute of it, made some great friends and the club has been different class to me and my family.

“I’m excited but at the same time gutted about leaving York. I just want to say thank you and good luck.”

Pools boss Dave Challinor knows Gallagher, known as Buster, as the pair did a physio degree course together.

Speaking in November 2019, Challinor said: “I’ve known Buster a long time, I did a physio degree and was on his course with him for five years unfortunately and I passed his degree funnily enough for him so he’s got me to thank for his career!

"He speaks really highly of the club and he’s the type of person who has that real affinity having been here a long time.

"Sweens falls into the bracket too which will be a big, big positive for us moving forward and us getting an understanding quickly of the supporters and what it means to them although in the main we know what we’re coming in to.”