Former England defender Abbie McManus and former Leicester City striker Jess Sigsworth have left the Women’s Super League for the front lines of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue. The duo, who once shared dressing rooms at Manchester United and Leicester, now respond to emergencies together, from rescuing trapped wildlife to competing in an emergency‑services football tournament in Spain.

From Leg Break to Firefighter: McManus' 18‑Month Comeback Attempt

McManus’ football career ended after a severe leg fracture forced her into medical retirement,a fact she described as “a bitter pill to swallow.” She spent 18 months attempting a comeack before a surgeon declared her career over, prompting her to look for a new purpose. According to the source, the decision to join the fire service came after a casual conversation with Sigsworth in a Leicester dressing room.

Sigsworth’s Knee Injury Triggers Career Switch

Jess Sigsworth’s transition was sparked by a recurring knee injury sustained while playing for Leicester City. the source notes that the injury, like McManus’s, left her unable to return to elite sport, leading the pair to consider a joint move into firefighting. Sigsworth highlighted the similarity between the teamwork required on the pitch and the pressure of emergency response, saying, “The teamwork, the pressure, it’s so similar.”

First Rescue: Freeing a Trapped Deer in Manchester

One of their early calls involved liberating a deer caught in railings, an incident McManus recalled as surreal. “We just looked at each other and thought, how has this become our life?” she said, underscoring the dramatic shift from stadiums to fire stations. This anecdote, reported by the source, illustrates how quickly former athletes must adapt to the unpredictable nature of emergency work .

Women’s Football Evolution Cited by Former Players

Both athletes reflected on the rapid growth of women’s football, noting how far the sport has come since McManus paid £380 for a Manchester City subscription. They pointed to the visibility of players like Ella Toone as evidence that young girls now see a viable career path, a sentiment echoed in the source. Their new roles also allow them to showcase the sport’s values—leadership, resilience, and community service—outside the traditional arena.

Will More Retired Players Join Emergency Services?

The story raises the question of whether other retired athletes will follow a similar route into public safety.. While the source does not provide data on former players entering firefighting , the unique partnership of McManus and Sigsworth suggests a potential model for career reinvention after injury‑induced retirement.