Doctor Behind Chelsea's 2009/10 Trophy Double Given Job In Kenya

Former Chelsea FC team doctor, Ralph Rogers, who played an integral part in the team's 2009/10 FA Cup and English Premier League double, has been awarded a job in Kenya.

The Kenya Premier League (KPL) announced Rogers' appointment in a statement on Tuesday, July 26, noting that he will serve as the Medical Director and on the Board as an Independent Non-Executive Medical Director.

As Medical Directory, Rogers will assist the league and its member clubs with the adoption and implementation of the best sports medical regulations, written policies and procedures in accordance with the Kenyan Law for the safeguarding of children and adults participating in competitive football activities.

Former Chelsea first-team doctor, Ralph Rogers. /TOP DOCTORS UK

Taiwo Atieno, KPL Commercial Director, hailed the body's decision to appoint the acclaimed doctor, noting that he will play a part of a key role in the Phase One and Two restructurings and rebranding of the league.

"Our ambition is to build Kenya Premier League into the best sports league in Africa both as an organisation and as a brand. We will achieve this goal by appointing the right people and hiring the best staff who can bring our strategic plan to life," Taiwo stated.

Rogers was grateful for the appointment and disclosed his over-20-year working relationship with Taiwo from his days at Walsall Football Club, which competes in the English Football League (EFL) League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system.

"I support Taiwo’s strategic plan for Kenya Premier League and making sure capacity building works hand in glove with implementing the best Medical regulations, written policies and procedures for Kenya Premier League and member clubs," he celebrated.

Rogers was selected by the West-London club as the official first team doctor during Carlo Ancelotti's three-year reign as manager of the club and worked with elite players such as Petr Cech, Didier Drogba, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Fernando Torres, David Luiz, Michael Essien and Ashley Cole among others.

The team had broken several Premier League records and statistics including most goals scored in a season (103), most goals scored at home in a season (68) and best goal difference in a season (+71).

Chelsea also became the first top-flight team to reach a century of league goals since Tottenham Hotspur in 1962/63 and only failed to score in two of 53 games, a club record.

An image of Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea Football Club. /SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Rogers is also the founder and Medical Director of Rogers Regenerative Medical Group, based in London. He received his Medical Degree from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium and a PhD in Exercise Physiology at the University of Maryland in the US, as well as a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Leicester.

His reputation is in Regenerative Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine and boasts of expertise and knowledge utilised by some of the most renowned sports organisations in the world.

Rogers' appointment comes as Kenya continues to work towards having a ban placed on it by FIFA over government interference lifted.