Paul Smith - Head pysiotherapist

SWFC moved from having just one first team physio, Mark Palmer, to recruiting Alan Smith as consultant physiotherapist and Paul Smith from Notts County to head up the department.

First team physio Paul Smith, who joined Wednesday over the summer, is following in the footsteps of father, Alan - legendary physio of both the Owls and England.

Paul joined the backroom staff at Notts County in July 2008 after leaving his position of academy physio at Championship club Derby County and brings a wealth of experience to Hillsborough.

Mark Palmer - Physiotherapist

Mark was born and raised in New Zealand on Aucklands Northshore. He spent four years studying physiotherapy in Auckland before working for a further three years at a leading physiotherapy clinic specialising in footballers, including the top players from New Zealand. During this time, Mark also completed a two-year post-graduate diploma in sports physiotherapy.

He left New Zealand in 2004 to take up a role with the Nottingham Forest academy in England before joining the Sheffield Wednesday academy in 2005 shortly before the Owls' League One play-off final win against Hartlepool.

Mark took the first team reins at Hillsborough following John Dickens' departure to Doncaster Rovers in October 2006.


Club Doctor - Dr. Richard Higgins

Richard joined SWFC in April 1998 and is now approaching his sixth season at Hillsborough. When he came on board, he and then colleague Dr. Rav Naik were the only full time doctors in the Premiership. Richard has a post graduate qualification in sports medicine.