Written by Training Ground Guru — July 25, 2024

Amy Cranston is leaving Oxford United after 12 years to become the new Head Physio of Manchester United Women.

Cranston started with the U’s in 2012 with their Youth Academy for Girls and Boys and worked her way up the ranks to become Head of Medical Services in 2018/19.

“Amy is one of the hardest working people I have met in her industry, but more than that, she is also an extremely good person who will be missed by all those connected with the club.

“Amy leaves with our absolute blessing and we wish her nothing but success, as we continue to do everything we can to appoint the highest quality replacement.”

Last season, Cranston helped saved someone’s life on the same day that the club won promotion to the Championship. On the morning of their Wembley play-off final against Bolton, she left the club hotel to go on a run and came across a man who had suffered a cardiac arrest.

She later told the Oxford Mail: “I went out for my run. I always have to do at least 10km or more. Generally, if I do that, I’ve noticed that we tend to win, so I had to get my 12km in.

“I went out for my run, going past Buckingham Palace and down the Mall, and someone had basically had a cardiac arrest. I stopped and we did CPR, me and a doctor who was also running past.

“He’s alive, he’s well, he’s speaking, and he’s laughing and joking in the hospital. It’s unbelievable really, to be honest. I went back to the hotel, going, ‘Oh my god, I’ve got a play-off final today’. My emotions were all over the place.”

The U’s went on to beat Bolton 2-0 in the final thanks to two goals from Josh Murphy.

Meanwhile, Oxford have announced two other changes to their football set-up. Ed Waldron takes up a new role as Head of Football Operations for the Men’s First Team, having been Head of Recruitment since March 2023.

Oxford United said that Waldron would “continue to lead on player recruitment” but that the change will provide a more defined structure across the Men’s First Team and wider football department.

Academy Manager Stevie Kinniburgh will take up the new role as Head of Football Development. His responsibilities as Head of the Men’s Academy will remain, but he will now “manage and oversee the development of the Boys, Girls and Woman’s programme, creating pathways for the next generation of Oxford United players.”

Men’s record goalscorer James Constable has also returned to the club as First Team Player Liaison Manager.