As the pace and intensity of the game picks up, so too does the frequency of injuries to players, who can be sidelined for weeks, sometimes months, over the course of the season.
For Sheffield Wednesday Ladies defender Aleks Fox, who suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury in May 2024, recovery has not always been easy, whilst trying to balance work and day-to-day life alongside coping with such a serious ligament injury.
“I went up for a header and my knee twisted as I landed, and it gave way on me,” said Fox. “It didn’t hurt originally, everyone says with such a serious injury that it’s agony, but I just had growing pains and struggled to get back to my feet.
“It was bizarre really, I drove home after the match, and went to work the same day. My knee had doubled in size but the growing pains remained the same.
“It was only over the next few weeks I would twist my knee in a certain direction and I would just fall to the ground. That’s when I decided to go to the doctors, who referred me to A&E.”
What is an ACL Injury?
An ACL injury occurs to a tear or sprain in the ligament which connects the thigh bone to the shinbone in the knee, with recovery expected to take six to nine months. Injuries of this severity most commonly occur in sports like football, where stopping and sudden changes of direction, jumping and landing put strain on the knee.
ACL reconstructions have the highest recovery burden, and account for nearly one third of playing time lost due to injury.
The Road to Recovery
With such serious injuries, players can be side lined for up to a whole season. Fox, who had surgery in September 2024, has been out of action for Sheffield Wednesday Ladies for the whole of the 2024/25 campaign.
“It’s frustrating for me, because I don’t like going to watch knowing I can’t be involved in any way,” said Fox. “A couple of years ago I injured my tibia, fibula and ankle and had a cage over my leg. I obviously knew I couldn’t step onto the pitch, whereas this time I feel I’m fine to play but I know I can’t.”
The Mental Side of Injuries
“My previous injury helped me prepare mentally for this ACL injury. I knew I needed to get back to the physio straight away and I knew what I needed to do to prepare for recovery.
“My mum and dad have been really important. They have always encouraged me to get back on my recovery straight away. My coaches Andy and Kieran have been checking in on me regularly, and I have been to a few games over the course of my recovery, but I find it frustrating if the team are struggling for players or we are losing, and I can’t come on to help the team, I just kick myself.”
There are multiple stages during the recovery process. For Fox, it was important that her recovery was done in a timely, but efficient manner to allow her injury to fully heal.
“In the first few stages there are a lot of check ups with the doctor, post surgery. I had to wait for the stitches to heal, and then I attended swimming sessions on a Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon to slowly get movement back in my knee.
✍️ RETAINED
— Sheffield Wednesday Ladies FC (@ShefWedLadies) May 28, 2025
We are delighted to announce that Aleks Fox has committed to the club for another season!
Look forward to seeing you back out there next season
More retained player announcements coming soon #OneTeam#SWLFC pic.twitter.com/JMHXjKGqYe
“The next few steps are gym classes on a circuit with different movements and exercises at each station. I’ll see my surgeon in September, 12 months post op, to check everything and allow me to get back on the grass.
“I’m building up towards returning for pre-season. I’m in my last stages of physio, doing exercises like running, stopping, sidestepping and jumping to test my knee.
“I’m always in the gym and basic weight training and lifting also helps, but I just can’t wait to be back playing for the team and with the girls.
“We are a really close group at Sheffield Wednesday Ladies, we’re more than just teammates, we’re friends and we do a lot of things outside of football together.”
Preparations for the 2025/26 season are underway at Sheffield Wednesday Ladies, and, with key players like Fox returning from injury, there is optimism for the upcoming season at the Jubilee Sports Club.
Fox’s story is a telling reminder of the dangers of sport and the serious physical impact of football on players.
The incredible work of doctors and physios ensures players receive thorough care and treatment during their rehabilitation process. With growing participation in the women’s game, there is an increasing demand for wider research and prevention of these injuries in female athletes to ensure careers and pathways for players can thrive.
