In a candid interview, Laura Holden, midfielder for Swindon Town, opens up about her harrowing two-year experience at Aberdeen, where she suffered a career-threatening ACL injury that led to feelings of neglect and mental health struggles.
Holden's story began with an optimistic start when she joined the Dons in August 2023, determined to establish herself as a key player. However, just six matches into her first season, disaster struck when she ruptured her ACL, sending her on a long and grueling road back to fitness.
During her rehabilitation, Holden felt increasingly isolated and unsupported by Aberdeen's coaching staff, including the women's team physio, who handed her a rehabilitation program without providing regular check-ins or targets. "I was constantly asking for advice, but I felt like a burden," she recalls. The lack of support and resources made her feel like she was struggling to cope on her own.
As Holden returned to training under new manager Scott Booth, she was repeatedly denied the opportunity to play, despite being deemed fit enough by the physio. This led to a heated confrontation with Booth outside the pitch, which left Holden in tears. "I felt like I'd been written off before even seeing me play," she says.
In a shocking move, Booth told Holden that he wanted her to go on loan to another club just months after her return to training. The news came as a devastating blow to Holden, who had invested so much of herself in Aberdeen.
Despite attempting to make the best of the situation and even encouraging Aberdeen's HR department to investigate her concerns, Holden ultimately felt forced to leave the club behind. She joined Swindon Town in June 2025 and has since spoken out about the need for greater support and resources for women's football players.
Holden's story highlights the darker side of professional sports, where athletes are often expected to put their careers above their well-being. Her experience serves as a powerful reminder that mental health matters must be taken seriously in all aspects of the sport.
"I don't want what happened to me to happen to anyone else," Holden says, her voice laced with determination. "I hope my story can help raise awareness about the importance of support and resources for women's football players."
Holden's story began with an optimistic start when she joined the Dons in August 2023, determined to establish herself as a key player. However, just six matches into her first season, disaster struck when she ruptured her ACL, sending her on a long and grueling road back to fitness.
During her rehabilitation, Holden felt increasingly isolated and unsupported by Aberdeen's coaching staff, including the women's team physio, who handed her a rehabilitation program without providing regular check-ins or targets. "I was constantly asking for advice, but I felt like a burden," she recalls. The lack of support and resources made her feel like she was struggling to cope on her own.
As Holden returned to training under new manager Scott Booth, she was repeatedly denied the opportunity to play, despite being deemed fit enough by the physio. This led to a heated confrontation with Booth outside the pitch, which left Holden in tears. "I felt like I'd been written off before even seeing me play," she says.
In a shocking move, Booth told Holden that he wanted her to go on loan to another club just months after her return to training. The news came as a devastating blow to Holden, who had invested so much of herself in Aberdeen.
Despite attempting to make the best of the situation and even encouraging Aberdeen's HR department to investigate her concerns, Holden ultimately felt forced to leave the club behind. She joined Swindon Town in June 2025 and has since spoken out about the need for greater support and resources for women's football players.
Holden's story highlights the darker side of professional sports, where athletes are often expected to put their careers above their well-being. Her experience serves as a powerful reminder that mental health matters must be taken seriously in all aspects of the sport.
"I don't want what happened to me to happen to anyone else," Holden says, her voice laced with determination. "I hope my story can help raise awareness about the importance of support and resources for women's football players."
this is so sad but also kinda shocking that she was just handed a rehab program without any check-ins or targets. i mean, i get it physios have busy schedules but come on, she felt like a burden? 
and then to be denied play after being deemed fit enough by the physio is just cruel. it's no wonder she went mental 
. i hope her story can spark some change in how teams support their players' mental health, coz if not, i think we'll keep seeing more holdens... 
Laura Holden's story is literally heartbreaking... I mean, who wouldn't feel neglected and alone after a career-threatening injury? 
It's crazy how some coaches just don't get it. 
Her experience is a total wake-up call for the football world, especially when it comes to supporting women's players. 
We need more people like Laura who are willing to share their stories and fight for change. 
Let's hope her words can inspire some real changes in the way athletes are treated and supported! 
The way they handled Laura's injury & rehab is just wrong 
. Like, she was asking for advice, but no one was providing any actual support 
. And then to deny her playing time again after being deemed fit? That's just heartless 
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), but boo laura! 
she's still grieving over that whole ordeal 
and now she's got a new club to adjust to...anyway, gotta give props to laura for speaking out about mental health in sports - it's a real issue we need more awareness about 
This is a tough one to hear, especially from someone who's been through so much. The fact that Laura felt like she was struggling on her own during rehab and got denied playing time despite being deemed fit enough by the physio is just heartbreaking 
this is soooo unfair!!! she worked hard to get back from that injury but they just didnt care how she felt 
they cant keep pushing them around like they're nothing 
holden's story is a total wake-up call for womens football & i'm so glad she's speaking out 
I'm so proud of Holden for speaking out and trying to make a change in the sport 
and I hope she finds the support and love she deserves 
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), I can imagine how mentally draining that must've been for Laura. The fact that she felt like she was struggling to cope on her own is just devastating 
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. I hope more clubs and teams take notice and start prioritizing the mental health and well-being of their players 
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. I mean, who does that to someone who's just trying to come back from a career-threatening injury?! 
. It's like they were just trying to get rid of her, rather than supporting her through a tough injury. And then the HR department has to be investigated because she spoke out? That's like, super fishy 
. I'm not saying Laura is lying or anything, but there are definitely some weird motives at play here 
ACL injuries are super tough, wish Laura Holden a speedy recovery 
i mean, what kind of system lets someone feel like they're a burden just 'cause they're not performing yet? 
I'm totally shook by Laura Holden's story 
. And the fact that she was told she wasn't needed because she was "fit enough" but couldn't play 
also u gotta love how she's using her platform 2 raise awareness about mental health in sports 
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. Laura Holden's story sounds like a classic case of "we didn't want you to come back" 
. It's all about the team's interests over the player's well-being, right?