Cheltenham Town Women’s defender Holly Finch has insisted that being back on the football pitch is the “best feeling ever” after almost a year out with an ACL injury.
The 23-year-old tore her ACL for the second time in February 2025, and made her return to first team action last weekend in a 3-0 defeat to Watford Women.
“It’s good, but it’s also difficult. I think mentally and physically there’s still lots to do until I’m fully fit. But I think mentally I’m very positive. I really struggled for the first few months, but now it’s the best feeling ever. I’m 23, I’ve being playing football for near enough 18 years, to not play it for so long has been very difficult, so it’s nice to finally be back in my happy place.”
Despite being at the club for five years, the defender has only made 51 appearances in red and white, due to the nature of both injuries.
Comparing the first injury to the second, Finch said: “The first one was only a slight tear, so I had more movement. Rehab was a bit easier, I was young, I was a bit naïve, I had other things to keep me occupied. I didn’t have a set job either, so it was a bit easier. This time I lost full movement in my leg, I was off work for a few months, I couldn’t walk properly. I think this one has had a bigger impact on me.”
“Even going to watch training, watch games, I’ve really struggled, to watch other people play football when that’s all I want to do, and obviously I couldn’t do that. But full credit to the girls, they’ve supported me throughout it all, if it weren’t for them I wouldn’t be playing football again now.” The defender continued.
“It’s difficult because I did struggle a lot, I think my support system was literally just the girls and my family. It’s really weird because my brother went through the same thing at the same time as me.” The 23-year-old revealed.
“My family always push me to be better and do well. Also the girls, I can’t fault any single one of them, they’re an incredible bunch, and the reason that I am how forward I am now. And obviously the coaching staff, the physios have been there for me everyday, checked on me, asked if I needed anything. A big thank you to them too.”
“Physically, it’s been very tough. When I didn’t have full extension in my knee, it was horrible. I had someone force my leg straight with all their body weight, and that was agony, and vice versa, forcing it back when it couldn’t bend back properly. I’ve been through a lot of pain, I’ve still got a long way to go, I’m still miles off full 90 minute match at Tier Three level. It’s progressing getting better every week.”
On her return to full-fitness, Finch featured in a matchday squad for the young reserves side, scoring a goal from outside the box in the process.
“People say it was a cross, but it wasn’t! Look back on the video, there’s nobody backpost, it was a shot! In the moment I didn’t really think anything of it, it was a case of we were 2-0 down, I scored a goal, get the ball, start again. All I wanted to do was go again, it was a nice feeling but I didn’t really think anything of it, but after the game I was buzzing to play my first professional game back. It was nice, and very surprising!”
