Why was football so important to you growing up?

It was what I did every day, it’s how I made lifelong friends, it was my reason for staying out until it was dark, and it was the most fun part of my day. Nothing mattered but the ball and my mates.

Who was your first football team? Do you remember the coaches?

My school team was my first team, Shield Row Primary School. The headteacher, Mr Patterson, was our coach. My first girl’s team was Chester-le-Street Ladies and Pauline and Bill were the coaches.

What is your favourite memory of grassroots football?

I loved finding some real goalposts. I know this sounds crazy, but we used to just chuck a couple jumpers down, or use our bikes or trees for a goal, so when we got to a field and the goals were up, it felt so much more real! It’s also where I got spotted by my first girl’s team coach.

How did grassroots football help you develop as a player or person?

It taught me a lot. We used to raise money for our kit, put the nets up and down before and after games, pay our subs. Our coaches were people that would give up their evenings and weekends to coach us, so making sure we appreciated that was important. Grassroots football probably developed me as much as a person, as it did as a footballer, and for that, I’ll forever be grateful.

Where would you be without football?

Not where I am now, probably A firefighter, what I wanted to be before football

How can young people benefit from grassroots football?

I think if you asked every footballer, male or female, grassroots played a part in their lives. Without the volunteer coaches, the green spaces, goals and investment at the grassroots level, none of us would be where we are today. It’s taught me valuable lessons and given me opportunities to become the player and person I am today. I expect my next chapter will involve me giving back to the beautiful game.