Andrew Balderston
MSc, HCPC, MCSP, AACP
Chief Operating Officer & Clinical Director, Atherapy
Chartered Physiotherapist, 20+ years in elite professional football, FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine
Andrew Balderston is Chief Operating Officer and Clinical Director at Atherapy, a musculoskeletal and sports medicine physiotherapy group operating across London. With over 20 years of experience at the highest levels of professional football, Andrew brings an elite sport methodology to clinical practice that is rare within private physiotherapy.
His career has taken him from the Manchester United Academy through senior leadership roles at Preston North End, Derby County, Nottingham Forest, and Hull City where he served as Director of Health and Performance. Throughout this time he has led integrated Medical, Sports Science, and Performance departments at Premier League and Championship level, working directly with Head Coaches, Sporting Directors, orthopaedic consultants, and senior club leaders.
Andrew holds a Master of Science in Physiotherapy from the Victoria University of Manchester, a FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine, and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (MCSP). He is also a member of the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Clinical Expertise
Andrew's clinical work is defined by the integration of evidence-based rehabilitation with the practical demands of elite sport. His specialist areas include:
- ACL rehabilitation and return-to-performance, from prehabilitation through to full return to sport
- Lower limb injury rehabilitation and post-operative recovery
- Return-to-running and return-to-sport progressionframeworks
- Force plate testing and objective strength assessment
- Performance physiotherapy for active individuals andathletes
- Injury prevention frameworks and movement screening
- Multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme design
His approach to ACL rehabilitation draws directly on frameworks developed and refined across 20 years of managing ACL injuries in professional football — from initial prehabilitation through post-operative recovery, return-to-running, strength testing, and return to full competition.
Career History
- Chief Operating Officer & Clinical Director, Atherapy (January 2026 — present)
- Director of Health & Performance, Hull City FC (August 2024 — December 2025)
- Head of Medical Services & Performance, Hull City FC (August 2018 — August 2024)
- Head Physiotherapist, Sports Medicine & Science Manager, Nottingham Forest FC (January 2009 — May 2018)
- Head Physiotherapist & Head of Medical Services, Derby County FC (August 2006 — November 2007)
- Head Physiotherapist & Head of Medical Services, Preston North End FC (September 2002 — August 2006)
- Head Physiotherapist & Head of Medical Services, Macclesfield Town FC (July 2001 — September 2002)
- U19 & Academy Physiotherapist (Part Time), Manchester United FC (September 1999 — June 2001)
Qualifications & Professional Memberships
- MSc Physiotherapy — Victoria University of Manchester (1994–1998)
- BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy — Victoria University of Manchester (1991–1994)
- FIFA Diploma in Football Medicine (April 2020)
- HCPC Registered — Health and Care Professions Council (#PH47734)
- MCSP — Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (#54163)
- AACP — Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists
- NSCA — National Strength and Conditioning Association
- FA National Physiotherapy Advisory Group (2012–2014)
What Colleagues Say
“Andrew has all of the necessaryattributes to run a medical and physical performance department at a club ofthe highest level. His subject knowledge allied to quality of communicationmade him a vitally important member of staff.”
Mark Warburton
Former Manager, QPR, NottinghamForest, Rangers & Brentford. UEFA Pro Licensed Football Manager.
Former Manager, QPR, NottinghamForest, Rangers & Brentford. UEFA Pro Licensed Football Manager.
“He is an excellent clinician and has supported me following surgery to the highest level. From my experience working with most Premiership clubs and clubs at lower levels, there are few physios with such professionalism or robustness to deal with the pressure Andrew has.”
Andrew Williams
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
ACL Rehabilitation Content by Andrew
Andrew is the author of Atherapy’s ACL rehabilitation content ecosystem — a series of interconnected, evidence-informed clinical resources covering every stage of ACL rehabilitation.
