When Abbie McManus and Jess Sigsworth found themselves side by side in firefighting gear, working to free a deer trapped in railings, the former England internationals shared a look of disbelief. It was a world away from the Women's Super League dressing rooms they once inhabited at Manchester United and Leicester City, yet the episode perfectly captured the unexpected path their lives have taken since injury cut short their playing careers.
McManus, a defender who earned 18 Lionesses caps, and Sigsworth, a striker who represented England's youth teams, forged a close bond during two seasons together at Manchester United. Their friendship proved a comfort blanket when both made the bold decision to move to Leicester City, living together and navigating the pressures of professional football. But the game they loved would deal them both cruel hands.
For McManus, a severe leg fracture led to an 18-month rehabilitation effort before surgeons confirmed her medical retirement in 2023. Sigsworth's story echoed a similar pain; after overcoming one serious knee injury earlier in her career, she suffered another while at Leicester that produced a sound she instantly recognized as career-ending. In 2024, she too was forced to step away, pulling her hat over her eyes as she was carried off, convinced she could not mentally endure another comeback.
Retirement left a void, but a conversation in Leicester's dressing room sparked a new mission. The pair decided to join Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, swapping one badge for another. For women conditioned by elite sport, the transition felt natural. The roar of a stadium crowd was replaced by the piercing alarm of a fire engine, but the underlying demands—teamwork, courage under pressure, physical readiness—were strikingly familiar.
The fire service badge now sits where club crests once did, and McManus, who often led as captain, found herself guiding Sigsworth through the recruitment process just as she had on the pitch. That leadership continuity is no coincidence. Both describe the firefighting unit as a family, echoing the bond of a football team. From morning kit checks to shared meals and post-incident debriefs, the daily rhythms mirror pre-season training camps, complete with the same relentless fitness tests.
What's missing is the pre-match electricity: the music pulsating through the dressing room, the roar as you walk out. Yet they've found new outlets for competition, recently representing Greater Manchester Fire in an emergency services seven-a-side tournament in Spain—and winning it, despite Sigsworth's brief, lob-goal blunder in goal. The victory tasted sweet, proving their competitive fire still burns.
Their journey also grants them a unique vantage point on the transformation of women's football. McManus recalls paying £380 in subs just to play for Manchester City in the early days, while now young girls wear Ella Toone shirts and see a professional pathway. For Sigsworth, it's surreal to witness a generation growing up with visible heroes, a luxury they themselves lacked.
Most profoundly, both women have discovered that identity doesn't disappear with retirement. After years consumed by football, they've found love and purpose in a service role. As McManus puts it, you can absolutely find something new to fall in love with. Their story is a powerful reminder that while an athlete's career may end, the qualities forged in competition—resilience, discipline, empathy—can ignite an entirely different vocation.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.