We would advice anybody actively participating in football who starts to feel pain in the foot, ankle or heel to seek the advice of a podiatrist sooner rather than later. People tend to persevere with pain, thinking that it will go away. There is a big difference between muscular aches from a hard session and pain that reoccurs after every training session or game, or even pain that is gradually getting worse. In these situations, it is best to consult a podiatrist with a special interest in biomechanics and musculoskeletal problems. Any signs of pressure such as redness, blisters, hard skin or extra bone developing (osteophytic formation) definitely needs assessing by a professional. Areas to check are around the back of the heel, the toes and the base of the big toe joint.