Anyone looking at the Arsenal website would have seen the announcement that the club Doctor Ian Beasley is leaving to join the England setup.

For those of you who have never heard of him, he joined Arsenal in 2002 and works with the first team, reserves and academy.

During the summer of 2008 I was lucky enough to complete my GCSE work experience with him (I have been lucky enough to get to know him through a weekly clinic he holds at my school) and he took me to the training ground for a day.

During that day I met Arsenal’s new signing Amaury Bischoff and Lee Dixon and well as Pat Rice, Vic Akers and Colin Lewin. It was clear from just this one day at the training ground how respected he is within the club. Lee Dixon popped in to seek his advice and the Doc was more than happy to help a member of the Arsenal staff who was in pain. He is always willing to put himself out for people.

Also during this work experience I travelled with the Doc to Newham, Blackheath and the London Independent Hospitals and again it was clear how respected and popular he is. Everyone seemed to know him and had a story to tell. As we walked through the corridors they would echo with the sounds of “Hi Ian”.

Whilst visiting one of these hospitals I met Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo who were both recovering from their injuries. When the player, whether it was Tomas or Eduardo and the Doc came together it seemed to be like the meeting of two old friends, this proved to me that the Doc was loved by the players.

Even I was lucky enough to receive the full Ian Beasley treatment, when he very kindly assessed my back pain (although he did send me for a frightening MRI scan!!!)

Now, after reading this you may be thinking oh well, he’s only a Doctor and there are plenty more of them around. But I can tell you now, you will never find a more caring and generous man. Yes, he helps the players when they are injured, bringing them back to full fitness, but he is also a friend to each of them.

I only spent a week with Ian and I could see how respected he was within Arsenal and I know for a fact that he will be greatly missed! Cheers Ian and good luck with the England job!