TWO town teams have made the same new signing - sports therapist Peter Gordon has joined Runcorn Rugby League Club and Runcorn Linnets FC, who moved quickly to recruit the 42-year-old.
Gordon is concentrating on his work with Linnets until the end of their North West Counties League Division Two season and will then focus on Runcorn RLC's Summer Conference season, kicking off in May.
Gordon has already made an impact with Linnets and he hopes to successfully combine his involvement in the two sports which he says will enhance his medical knowledge and experience.
He said: 'I am really looking forward to this new challenge. I have never worked in rugby before and I want to learn as I consider myself a student of all sports.
'I never have my head out of the books as I want to continue learning and I see my new role at Runcorn Rugby League Club as part of that.
'As rugby league is a collision sport, a lot of the injuries and knocks players get will be upper body.
'In football it's different as, in the main, players get injuries to legs and knees, for example, so it will be a good experience to get involved with the rugby lads and that will prepare me for the future.'
The Runcornian says he can't wait to get started after spending a lifetime involved in football.
Gordon added: 'I have been a football man all my life and I have taken on the job with Linnets as well so I have a foot in both camps.
'There is no clash and, if anything, it will be an education working with both sides.'
Gordon will see players from both clubs in his treatment room in the Leisure Suite at the Heath Business and Technology Park, which is also equipped with a rehab gym for long-term injuries.
Chris Leech, Runcorn RLC's team manager, said: 'Peter's appointment was an important one as the safety of the players is paramount - especially on the hard grounds in the summer.
'Peter has a lot of experience and we are delighted to have him on board.'
Tony Waddington, secretary of Runcorn Linnets, said players will be referred to Gordon by club physiotherapists Orang Ranjbar, who is also with Salford City Reds RLFC, Laura Evans and Kelly Daniels.
He added: 'We want to invest in our players and look after their well-being rather than simply consider them as people who just turn up to play for us on Saturdays.'
