Ex-Man Utd and Leicester stars swap boots for hoses in firefighting shift

Two former Women’s Super League stars have abandoned elite football for a career in the flames after joining Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue. Abbie McManus, once a centre-back for Manchester United and England, and Jess Sigsworth, a former Leicester City striker, have swapped the pitch for frontline emergency response in a move that underscores the growing crossover between professional sport and high-stakes public service.

Their first shared callout as firefighters came not in a burning building, but in a quiet residential street where a deer had become trapped in a metal fence. The surreal scene saw the pair—once opponents on the pitch—now working side by side in helmets and breathing apparatus, cutting through the railings to free the animal. “We just stood there staring at each other,” McManus said. “How did we go from dressing rooms at Old Trafford and the King Power Stadium to this?”

Sigsworth, who scored 63 goals for Leicester in three seasons, admitted the transition was jarring. “The noise, the adrenaline, the unpredictability—it’s all familiar, but in a completely different way,” she said. “At least we know how to stay calm under pressure.” The pair underwent six months of rigorous training at the fire service academy, mastering ladder rescues, hazardous material response, and advanced first aid.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue confirmed both women are now fully operational crew members, responding to incidents across the city. “We’re not here to make headlines,” McManus said. “We’re here to do the job.” The fire service has increasingly tapped into transferable skills from elite sport—teamwork, resilience, and decision-making under pressure—though physical demands differ vastly. Sigsworth noted the stark contrast between matchday fitness routines and 14-hour shifts in freezing hydrant stations.

Fire chiefs have praised the women’s discipline, but also highlighted the psychological toll of the job. “It’s one thing to face a defender charging at you; it’s another to walk into a burning home knowing lives are on the line,” said Station Manager David Carter. Both McManus and Sigsworth have spoken openly about the emotional weight of their new roles, including responding to incidents involving children. Yet they insist the shift was necessary. “Football gave us everything,” Sigsworth said. “But this—this feels like giving back.”

With women making up just 9% of firefighters in the UK, their recruitment has drawn attention to broader efforts to diversify the service. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue has seen a 22% rise in female applicants since McManus and Sigsworth’s high-profile switch. “If we can show others that this career is accessible, that’s a win,” McManus said. Their story has sparked conversations about second careers for athletes, with calls growing for sports bodies to partner with emergency services on transition programs.

1. Football’s Exit Doors — McManus retired at 30 after a knee injury; Sigsworth left at 29 citing burnout
2. The Application Process — Both passed written exams, physical tests, and psychological evaluations
3. First Milestone — Completed live fire training last winter, earning their red helmets

As they prepare for their first winter shift in sub-zero temperatures, the former footballers reflect on the odd symmetry of their careers. “We spent years being told to aim for the top,” Sigsworth said. “Turns out the top has a hose attached to it.”