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Gemma McKenzie
(Georgina Redhead) 2002
Duration: 251 (5.23), 254 (5.26) – 260 (5.32) With an
assured confidence, there wasn't much that intimidated Gemma McKenzie.
Certainly not being the lone woman in a dressing room of male professional
footballers. A sports psychologist, Gemma was appointed at Paris
Saint-Germain by their manager Patrick Doyle in the 2000-01 season, to build
on the squad's well-being to come together on the pitch. Her task was
accomplished, as into her second season with the club PSG were so focussed
they were enjoying a continued run as a major force in Europe. Gemma and
Patrick were in a relationship during this time, something that was
successfully kept under wraps at the club so as not to undermine her
professionalism with the team.
Later in the
2001-02 season, Patrick takes the manager's job with UEFA Cup contenders
Harchester United, and observing their loss in the Cup's Fourth Round First
Leg, recognises the squad are playing as eleven individuals and not a team,
so brings Gemma over to work her magic. Though she gives Patrick her terms
that there will not even be a secret relationship between them now as her
authority will be none if it is known she is sleeping with the boss.
Beginning her
individual sessions, Gemma begins to scratch the surface of deep-seated
issues between club captain Stevie Shaw and Linton Alexander, stretching back to their time
at Charlton. Bringing the two together for a joint session only serves for
the affected Stevie to go on a downward spiral, while Linton's form hitting a
dip leaves the pair holding Gemma responsible for their woes. Linton's anger
issues see him sent from the bench to the dressing room, and a frightening
physical encounter with Gemma is only brought to a halt when he suffers a
seizure in front of her. Gemma does however have a confidant in the team in Monday Bandele, who develops a special bond for
her though the two remain only friends.
Gemma and
Monday are with Tash Parker when she goes into premature labour
as the team leave for the UEFA Cup Final, the coach crashing on the M1.
Despite the team having to make it back from a tragedy, one would think
Gemma's role as a sports psychologist would be required more than ever. Alas
she leaves the club at the end of her contract over the summer.
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