Written by Ella Barber
Chesterfield Women’s midfielder Sophie Marshall sits across from me, exuding a blend of relaxed confidence and quiet intensity. At 18, she has come far from the uncertainty that shadowed her recovery from a devastating ACL injury — a journey that was anything but straightforward.
“Sitting there on the sideline every week, not being able to help your teammates out and do your job—it’s tough mentally,” she reflects, her voice hinting at the challenges she’s faced. But her eyes tell a different story: a tale of tenacity, grit, and a deep love for the game.
From the moment I met Marshall, her passion for football was unmistakable. Now a University of Derby scholar, she began her journey at Belper Town before moving to Mansfield and ultimately joining Derby County’s Regional Talent Club.
It was there, in a match against Leicester, that she ruptured her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), an injury that sidelined her for 18 agonising months. Football had been her constant since childhood, and in an instant, it was taken away.
“I’d never suffered a big injury before. I’d heard about ACL injuries but didn’t know much about them. But when I went down and heard it pop, I knew it wasn’t good,” she says.
Even then, it took Marshall two weeks to get a diagnosis, a painfully long wait. After a hospital visit, she was dismissed.
“I went to the hospital, and they sent me home saying I could walk, so I was fine. A couple of weeks later, I couldn’t straighten my leg, so I went back. They gave me a splint, which made it worse due to the surgery I’d need,” she recalls.
The 18-year-old feels strongly that ACL injuries must be taken more seriously. “To go home with a ruptured ACL and be told it’s fine, then have to return multiple times to demand an MRI…” she reflects, before pausing. “Things definitely need to change.
“There could be people who aren’t as pushy as I am, who think they’re fine because the hospital said so, and they’ll be out there with a ruptured ACL, which could worsen.”
ACL injuries have become an all-too-common issue in women’s football, reaching what some call an “epidemic.” High-profile players such as Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema, then team-mates at Arsenal as well as partners, have faced similar injuries, sparking discussions on the unique risks women face regarding ACL ruptures.
Despite increased awareness, it remains a persistent issue in the Women’s Super League (WSL) and throughout the female football pyramid. This season, the WSL has seen an ACL injury occur during almost every round of fixtures, underscoring the gravity of a problem that shows no signs of abating.
Marshall is vocal about the need for more research on ACL injuries, particularly regarding the menstrual cycle’s role in injury risks. Studies have suggested hormonal fluctuations might make women more susceptible to injuries such as ACL tears at certain points in their cycle. Yet, research is limited, and the implications are often ignored in training programmes.
“I think more research needs to be done on the menstrual cycle and how that affects you,” Marshall argues. “I recently discovered that your reaction time is slower when on your period, and doing your ACL is usually linked to changing direction. When I did mine, my foot was planted, and it’s probably that slower reaction time that contributed to my injury.”
Marshall’s ACL had ruptured so severely that it balled up, preventing her from straightening or bending her leg. When she was finally diagnosed, she underwent surgery the next day, beginning an arduous 18-month recovery.
In her final year of school, the midfielder had to juggle GCSE exams with her recovery, all while coping with the mental strain of being sidelined from the sport she loves. “Walking around school wasn’t ideal, but the mental impact was the toughest. People talk about how mentally tough injuries are, but you don’t realise until you experience one.”
Through her recovery, Marshall’s long-time coach, Mike Noon, emerged as one of her strongest advocates, offering unwavering support during her toughest moments. “She had a really tough time with her injury and had to be resilient,” the Derby County Women’s Academy Manager says. “A lot of players might have packed it in, but she was tenacious to get back on the pitch.”
Noon even recommended Marshall for the University of Derby scholarship, a programme allowing her to continue training at a high level while pursuing her education.
Now back on the pitch and injury-free, Marshall trains with a renewed sense of purpose. She plays with the same intensity she’s known for, balancing playing football six days a week with academic commitments. The scholarship programme, in partnership with Derby County, offers young players a structured environment for growth, one Marshall finds fulfilling. “The course is all about growing as a person, not just as an athlete,” she says.
Looking ahead, Marshall aspires to play at the highest level possible, joining a wave of women’s players committed to overcoming injury risks and improving the game for future generations.
“My aspiration is to get as high as I can in football,” she says, determination clear in her voice. Her journey — marked by setbacks, grit, and a call for change — has strengthened not only her physical game but her voice, standing up for ACL injuries to be taken more seriously. With her ACL healed and her sights set on a bright future, Marshall is ready to fight for the game she loves.
