The Influence of Sports Related Injuries on Football Player Performance in Gore Football Club

<i>Background:</i> Sports related injuries are a significant concern in football, affecting players’ performance, career longevity, and wellbeing. At Gore Football Club, the prevalence causes, and consequences of injuries, as well as rehabilitation practices and psychosocial support mechanisms, remain underexplored. <i>Objective:</i> This study aimed to (1) Identify the most common types of sports-related injuries among players at Gore Football Club and their primary causes; (2) examine how injuries impact physical, technical, tactical, and psychological aspects of performance; (3) evaluate the rehabilitation and injury management practices in place and their effectiveness; and (4) explore the role of psychological and social support systems in the recovery and return-to-performance process. <i>Methods:</i> A mixed-methods approach was used. Quantitative data were collected from 25 players via structured questionnaires and performance metrics (pre and post injury). Descriptive statistics summarized injury types, causes, and perceived impacts. Inferential statistics (Fisher’s Exact Test, paired?t tests) examined associations and differences. Qualitative data from interviews with injured players, coaches, and support staff were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes in rehabilitation experiences and psychosocial support. <i>Results:</i> The most frequently reported injuries were ankle sprains (40%) and hamstring strains (28%), with overtraining, inadequate warm up, and poor pitch conditions emerging as primary causes. Fisher’s Exact Test showed a significant association between ankle sprain and reporting overtraining (p ≈ 0.02). Paired comparisons of sprint performance indicated a statistically significant decline post-injury (mean increase in sprint time = 0.30 s; t (24) = 5.20, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.04). Among rehabilitation methods, physiotherapy was most used (80%) and significantly associated with higher perceived effectiveness (p ≈ 0.03). Although psychological support was available for 60% of players, only 48% utilized it; utilization did not show a statistically significant link to perceived rehabilitation success, but qualitative insights highlighted its value in motivation, confidence, and mental recovery. Strong social support from teammates and coaches was commonly reported. <i>Conclusion:</i> At Gore Football Club, lower-limb injuries especially ankle sprains and hamstring strains prevail, often associated with overtraining and preparation deficits. These injuries produce measurable performance losses, which can be mitigated through structured rehabilitation, particularly physiotherapy. Psychosocial and social support plays a supplementary but meaningful role in recovery, though utilization is suboptimal. The findings underscore the need for integrated injury prevention strategies, structured return-to-play protocols, and strengthened psychological support frameworks in the club. Future research using larger, longitudinal samples and objective performance measures is recommended.