One year on since Callum Hawkins’ second ACL operation and the talented goalkeeper has already played 25 games to help Leamington challenge amongst the leading pack in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central table.
It was on February 4th 2023 when he suffered the injury – for the second time in three and-a-half years.
“I landed awkwardly after claiming the ball, from which point it felt like a contact injury therefore I tried to carry on,” he recalled. “From the resulting kick, my knee buckled and I knew that my ACL was torn from prior experience of the same injury.
“Luckily, I was still contracted at Burton Albion at the time so was able to get my surgery just weeks after the injury and begin the rehabilitation process.
“The following few weeks are the toughest, regaining all the mobility in the leg through the flexion and extension of the knee, which you take for granted normally. This process is the most tedious and frustrating as you don’t see much progress at the time, however, looking back at this you see the little progressions every day which is something you learn to enjoy the most during this long journey.
“The next stage is the strengthening of the effected leg, due to the immobility of the leg during the first stage, you lose a lot of muscle mass which can be very demoralising as the journey feels like it will never end. This is short-lived, though, as once the muscle growth begins it exponentially grows and you begin to see all the progress both visibly and physically.
“I was very fortunate to receive some of the best treatment at St. George’s Park during my rehabilitation, with the first two of these weeks coming in this phase during my strengthening period. Utilising some of the best techniques to aid rehabilitation including blood flow restriction work which I highly recommend for any athlete who has the goal of muscle growth.
“During all this period I found myself out of contract, however, to Burton’s credit, they allowed me to continue my rehab process with them to ensure I got back onto the pitch as quick as physically possible.
“Mentally this was tough but was only another hurdle in the process to getting back playing, it was a hurdle that also provided me with the motivation to get back playing.
“The third phase is the toughest phase mentally as you need to rein yourself in and ensure that you don’t overdo everything so soon, this is the phase when you get your boots back on and return to the pitch, for weeks just running in straight lines but no turning which can be so frustrating as you watch your team-mates train without an issue whereas you’re unable to.
“Following this you can start to turn and jump, it feels strange to start with but the confidence grows very quickly and before you know it you can start none contact work.
“As a goalkeeper, it was strange to get into all the natural goalkeeping movements for the first few weeks, but as your mojo comes back you begin to naturally get back to your best. There were days where things would go well and other days where you would feel miles away from the pace of everyone else which infuriated me at times because I know what I can do and when it’s not possible it can begin to affect your confidence.
"The final phase was getting back into training, this was after six months for me as I was lucky to not encounter any setbacks in my journey, I still fondly remember my first session back and playing in some small-sided games; it was the greatest feeling I had in the whole process knowing that playing games was just around the corner.
“Seven months to the day of the surgery I played my first game back following my signing with Leamington on a permanent contract. It was an FA Cup tie against Boston United, which we lost, but it provided me with one of the greatest senses of pride that I had achieved a successful recovery for a second time.
“I was extremely fortunate to have the support of everyone during my rehab process, from the original diagnosis to the whole rehabilitation process the support and love that I received was overwhelming.
“Leamington are such an amazing family club; they treat their players as people first rather than what they offer on the pitch and that is down to mainly the manager, who is up there with Nigel Clough as the best man-manager that I have had the privilege of playing for.
“He provides such a welcoming changing room and the players would honestly run through a brick wall for him because they know that he has their best interests at heart, even when he needs to give you an earful here and there.
“Personally, my support unit has been the absolute rock for me and I wouldn’t be where I am without them, even when times were tough and the sleepless nights, I knew I wasn’t alone.
“Finally, the fellow ACL injury sufferers got me through, being able to support and connect with people in your position from all different backgrounds and all different countries really helps you get through.
“I have had the pleasure of connecting with people from all over the world regarding their rehab and will continue to do that in future as the experience I have gained would be wasted if I didn’t share it with others in my shoes.”
Weather-permitting, the Brakes head to Kettering Town on Saturday as they look to strengthen their position amongst the leading pack, where they have suffered just five defeats from 28 League games.
“I think the season has gone pretty much as I expected really,” admitted Hawkins. “It was always going to take us time to settle into a new division and the clubs at this level, but once the team polished out the few kinks, we have found our form and we are right up there where we want to be going into the last part of the season.
“Personally, I have been happy with my performances since returning, but I am always striving for more and will always try to improve in any aspect possible in my game.
“I am always looking on ways to improve as a player whether that be on my own perceived strength and weaknesses or that identified by coaches around me and one thing I have learned during my rehabilitation is that to receive the best results you really need to be a sponge for information, you can learn more about yourself every day.
“This League is a tough one because any team can beat another on the day; we have had tough battles with every team along the way, including the games with Redditch, Needham Market and Mickleover, who have proved to be some great competition and make the season really competitive and exciting.
“During my time at Burton I spent multiple loan spells at Mickleover and know a lot of good people at the club so it is great to see them doing so well this season; they play a great style of possession football and they can be tough to beat. It was one of my favourite games of the season so far in December away at their place, they made it very hard work for us and we grinded out a 0-0 draw which was the first time they hadn’t scored at home since Monday 27th December 2021 which proves what a threat Mickleover can be.”
So, what are the aims and targets between now and the end of the season?
“Our aims are simple, to put ourselves in a good spot by getting consistent results during every one of the last games of the season, regardless of the opposition, and see where that takes us,” Hawkins continued. “As I mentioned earlier, we are where we want to be within the leading pack and we want to maintain this good form into the last games of the season and we will take it from there and just stay focused on ourselves and see what plays out around us.”
We ended the interview by asking whether the injury had changed his outlook on the game.
“I have always felt fortunate for the position as a footballer and that has really been knocked home during both of my rehabilitation periods as your actions effect other people,” he replied. “If I can make someone else’s life better, then I have done my job as a person and I want to be a good role model for people who would dream to be in my shoes.
“This was really knocked home for me when I see youngsters who are so happy to see me whenever I play or just be around the club. They are the heartbeat of football and if I can make them enjoy the game as much as I do then I’ll be happy.”
IMAGE: Leamington FC
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