We sat down with Arsenal and Lionesses legend Alex Scott to understand more about her career post-playing, how she transitioned into life as a pundit and how she spends her summers now…


SAB: Biggest challenge when you stepped away from professional football? 

Alex: Definitely being away from that team environment. The team become like your family. You see them every day. Just the banter that you have and the ups and downs you go through as a team. I definitely missed that.  

SAB: What’s been the best bit about retiring? 

Alex: That I can go out and not worry about being up for training! I can go to some festivals in the summer now. It’s just the sacrifices that you have to give up for training and games. I love the leeway I have now. 

SAB: What is something people may not realise about retirement? 

Alex: The come down of it all. When that routine is taken away from you, it can be hard to try and find an identity when you’ve always been known as a footballer. Then stepping into something new can be scary and a lot of people might not experience what’s that like for athletes. 

SAB: How did you find your passion after football? 

Alex: I was lucky. I thought about my career whilst I was still in football. I was forward planning, instead of waiting for it to end. I’ve always loved conversation and wanted to elevate the women’s game.  

I knew there was a space for me and it was always my passion and my purpose became getting into the media world to try and open doors for others. I had a mission and I wanted to go in that direction. 

https://twitter.com/bsmeinfo/status/1850974500902310377
SAB: Can more be done to support ex-players? 

Alex: Ex-players and athletes are starting to speak out more about wishing they had more education and opportunities whilst they were playing. People are starting to understand that and ex-players are having that voice and using that to say, ‘Look we can’t wait until the end of a player’s career before helping them’. 

SAB: What are your passions?

Alex: Music has always been my passion. Any chance I get to go to live gigs, I do! Also festivals because I’ve always had tournaments in the summer so Glastonbury is still on my bucket list. I love theatre and also spending time with family and friends. 

SAB: How do you maintain your fitness without football? 

Alex: It’s tough out here, I tell you! Sometimes, I think I’m an athlete and then I pull a muscle which is my body reminding me that I’m not a player anymore! I do a lot of gym sessions and a lot of high-intensity workouts before I have to rush off and get to the studio. 

SAB: What ‘ballers do you think are on the rise? 

Alex:  She’s already had a great season last year – Grace Clinton. But it’s just interesting going back to Manchester United in that environment, around a different set of players – can you do it again? With England, there are huge games coming up with the Lionesses so I want to see her keep shining. 

SAB: Who was your favourite footballer growing up? 

Alex: It was different times, but I always looked up to Ian Wright. I loved when he was playing. You could see how much he loved the game. Everything was a pinch-me moment and felt dream-like. He was never a, ‘Look at me, I’m that footballer’. 

It was always reminded me, whether that was tournaments for Arsenal or with England, why I started and to always do it with a smile on my face. 

SAB: Who is the toughest opponent that you’ve faced? 

Alex: It’s questionable between Marta and Abby Wambach – totally different players! You’ve got that Brazilian flair and skill with Marta and you never knew what she was going to do. But then Abby just had that power and it was so hard to deal with, especially me being so short to be up against her, trying to win headers.  

I’m going to go with Marta but it was always a challenge and I just loved it every time I went up against her. 

SAB: Best memory on the pitch? 

Alex: It’s easy to say the quadruple season – it went down in history. No one’s done that since in the women’s game. But also getting to play at Wembley with Arsenal in the FA Cup, lifting that trophy. 

When I had that moment I knew I was ready to retire and move on to the next career. I cried like a baby lifting that trophy – it was such a special moment. 

SAB: If you could trade shirts with anyone in history who would it be? 

Alex: I was that player that never traded my shirts. I never wanted players to think I wanted their shirt so I was always like, ‘I respect you but I don’t need to trade shirts’. Now, I wish I’d have done it more. 

I always loved and modelled my game off of Kafu, the right back – he was incredible. If I ever manage to get his shirt, I would definitely do that and frame it. I’ve met him a couple of times but the shirt swap has never happened. 

SAB: Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years? 

Alex: That’s tough. I think people are always rushing to get through the next few years. With my life, at the moment, it’s been so fast paced transitioning from football into punditry and I’ve not had much a time to sit and reflect and take it all in and be present.  

For the next year, yes, I’ll be doing all I can to elevate the women’s game and open doors for others but I also need to take a moment and sit in the moment of being like, ‘You’ve not done too bad and just to enjoy what’s to come’. 

SAB: Who would be in your ultimate 5-a-side team? 

Alex: Emma Byrne in goal – an icon and ledge and never got the praise she deserved. We won the Champions League because of Emma. Two defenders – can I throw myself in there. Attackers – Formiga, Brazilian midfielder – you could never get the ball off of her and so much flair. I’ve got to throw Marta in there. 

One more….wait can I go all out attack. Can I throw Lauren James in there? We can smash goals in and I can just sweep up at the back with Emma. 

SAB:  What advice do you have for young ballers? 

Alex: My piece of advice: there are going to be many ups and downs but in the down moments, they’re the moments that will make you stronger and that you’ll learn the most lessons. It will all be worth it in the end with your hard work. 

Watch the full interview here:

In the first three weekends of the current WSL season, there were three anterior cruciate (ACL) injuries announced by clubs across the league, each on a different weekend: first Everton’s Aurora Galli, and then Everton’s Inma Gabarro, followed most recently by Liverpool midfielder Sofie Lundgaard.

Lundgaard was ruled out with the injury after their match against Tottenham Hotspur, adding to a list of twelve players (including Chelsea’s Sophie Ingle, West Ham’s Jess Ziu and Crystal Palace loanee Jorja Fox) currently ruled out through ACL injuries in the WSL.

This time last year 18-year-old Manchester United midfielder Emma Watson was one of those confined to the sidelines after rupturing her ACL on international duty in September 2023, just a month after signing for the club.

“When it first happened, I knew I’d done something to my knee, but my initial thought wasn’t ACL. My initial thought was, ‘Oh my God, I can’t play tomorrow night,’” the Watson tells She’s A Baller.

“Later that night, I found out that I’d completely ruptured my ACL, along with some other problems in my knee. For the next two hours, after hearing that information, I just completely shut down. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t talk. I was crying.”

The term ‘ACL’ refers to a band of tissue connecting the thigh bone to the shin bone. It runs diagonally through the inside of the knee to provide stability. A tear to this ligament often requires surgery with recovery taking up to 12 months.

The spike in incidents has motivated Watson to document her own journey to recovery on social media with the hopes that those who follow feel less alone.

“It’s really important to raise awareness of ACL injuries and give an insight into the recovery process that we go through every day, like our feelings. I hope that it can help the next young girl, the next player that then goes through that injury,” she explained.

“I went into it a bit blind and not too sure how hard it was really going to be, how much pain I was going to be in, what the challenges were going to be. I’d seen girls go through this process, but they’re in the gym doing their work while I’m on the pitch training.

Media interest and pledges for more research did increase during a spate of high-profile injuries, including Spanish Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, Arsenal forward Beth Mead and Manchester City forward Vivianne Miedema in 2022.

While initial outrage seems to have dissipated, the injuries have not stopped. Instead of the shock factor that surrounded the aforementioned instances, the mood seems to be an increasing resignation to next the inevitable announcement.

The issue is not confined to England’s top tier as just last Wednesday, the NWSL’s Washington Spirit announced Andi Sullivan had suffered an ACL, while the Championship’s Blackburn Rovers made an identical announcement about Grace Riglar two days later.

The prevalence of the injury meant for Watson, it was a very real fear even before she had experienced it herself.

“For myself, it was always a fear of mine. I played with people that had gone through the injury. In the back of my head, I had this feeling, this fear that it might happen to me,” she says.

However, the “silver lining” appeared in the bonding opportunity it provided with the United teammates she rehabbed with, 27-year-old defender Gabby George and 19-year-old defender Jess Simpson.

“I don’t think I could have gotten through it without them. Our relationships have grown a lot closer because we’ve seen the good days., we’ve seen the bad days and we’ve seen the in-between. There’s just this special bond that we have now,” Watson reflects.

“It’s terrible that they had to also go through that injury, but we’d always lift each other up. If people were feeling a bit down that day, there were always people I could talk to.”

The latest spate of ACL injuries comes amid increasing criticism of a packed schedule with Miedema and former Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall both separately speaking out. Arsenal will play five games in 15 days during October.

It is part of a broader overload in women’s football that has seen a major international tournament every summer since 2020 if you include the Olympics, with little let up as Euro 2025 approaches.

“We don’t know the main cause of an ACL injury. There’s talk about it being the menstrual cycle. There’s talk about it being overload. Sometimes it just happens in a tackle and you can’t do anything about it,” says Watson.

“I think it’s about prevention. What can we do as players, clubs and individuals to help prevent this injury? Warming up properly, doing strength exercises, balancing work, and just doing everything we can to prevent these injuries from happening.”

For now, prevention may well be the only way forward before long-term research can even begin to provide answers to answer the inevitable why. Most importantly, player welfare must be prioritised so weekly announcements do not become an accepted part of the game.

Welcome to She’s A Baller ‘Point of View’. This SAB original series sees us speak with the most iconic heroes and names in the women’s football space.

We’re doing things differently. We love goals and saves but this series explores the real people behind the player. What makes them tick, what are their biggest fears, where do they see themselves in ten years time and how do they really feel about some of the most controversial moments in recent women’s football history…

In our first Point of View episode, we sat down with a World Best. A player who has achieved monumental mainstream status, known for her advocacy, beautifully honest views and fearless personality.

Of course, it’s Mary Earps.


SAB: Can you tell us about where your from and your childhood growing up? 

Mary Earps: That’s a big question to start! I’m from Nottingham originally – born and bred. My childhood was pretty steady. I’ve got a younger brother and sister. I played a lot of football with my brother and dad growing up.  

I spent most of my childhood in the garden or at the pitches at Alfred Road, which was around the corner from where I lived. It was just school, homework, football on repeat. 

SAB: What was your relationship like with your parents and siblings – are you close?

Earps: My family have seen where I’ve been and where I’ve come from and have watched my football journey from the beginning to now.  

I definitely wouldn’t be in the position I am today if it wasn’t for my parents driving me here, there and everywhere, to Leicester and back, and all the way around the country really for my football. Definitely my brother and my dad were a big part of my football journey growing up. 

SAB: How often do you get to see them now? 

Earps: Not too much! Obviously I live in Paris now. It’s tough to get home and that’s one of the sacrifices of being a footballer – you don’t really have too much of a life – it’s very full on.  I get home as much as I can but it’s not as much as I would like. 

SAB: Who were your biggest role models growing up? 

Earps: My family were a big part of the values instilled in me. Football wise – I loved watching football and studying different types of goalkeepers.  I liked that there was no right way to do things.  

You’d watch the Premier League every weekend and have Tottenham Hotspurs’ Hugo Lloris doing it one way, Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer and then Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon doing it completely differently.

SAB: Do you think goalkeeping has changed – has it become a more demanding position? 

Earps: It’s changed massively since I was a kid. There’s lots of elements to it now. A big focus is distribution and playing out from the back – that’s probably due to Ederson and Manchester City’s way of playing.  

That’s the beauty of goalkeeping – everyone does it a different way and has different strengths and different ways of imposing themselves on a game. I love watching the differences across the men’s and women’s game – there’s no real textbook on it. The beauty is the uniqueness. 

SAB: What is the ‘Mary Earps’ style of goalkeeping? 

Earps: Super passionate. I try and do whatever I can to help the team. I put my body on the line. I’m a big communicator and organiser.

I’d like people to think I play with courage and bravery and a lot of heart. 

SAB: The fans love your passion and energy. They’ve gone as far as to call you ‘Sweary Earps’. How important is it to you to be able to show your personality on the pitch? 

Earps: It’s important for me to be unapologetically myself and be authentically who I am. Growing up, maybe I was scared to be vulnerable or to show who I was and I tried to fit in.

I am what I am. That’s why I have a good relationship with the fans – they see me as just being a goof ball or being sad or happy. I don’t try and fake it. I’m just really grateful to have the support of incredible fans and people and long may that continue. 

SAB: Advocacy has been a big part of your career – how important has this been to you? 

Earps: It’s important. I try and lead by example. But, to be honest, it’s a tough role to play. It’s a fine line between voicing your opinion and standing up for what you believe in. Especially when you’ve got a platform and a voice that can be heard, you want to try and represent people in the right way.  

I always want to use my voice for good and not evil or selfish reasons, but for the good of the future generations. But you can be viewed as too vocal or a trouble maker or always complaining about something.  

You have to be secure in what you’re fighting for and secure in who you are as a person. With being vocal, there comes with quite a lot of criticism, but I hope that people see what I try and do and see that I’m trying to create positive change.

I hope that the future generations of young footballers will feel the benefit of that. 

SAB: When you’ve stuck your head above the parapet, have you ever felt nervous about the consequences? 

Earps:  Yes for sure sure – you don’t know what the outcome is going to be. The reality is that, if you put your neck on the line and people chop it off at the block, it’s not a great feeling. That’s always the risk of being prepared to stand up for something – sometimes you might need to do that alone. 

And people don’t see a lot of the things that go on behind the scenes. There’s normally a lot of preparation work or a lot of quiet conversations going on before the big, loud conversations happen.

Of course it can be tough. It can also take a lot of energy because you’re spending a lot of time trying to articulate yourself in a certain way or speaking to people you trust.  

It’s not as simple as it looks but as long as I can create positive change, then I hope I can brave enough to continue to do all those things. 

SAB: How do you cope in those moments and where does your support network fit into that? 

Earps: It’s about relying on the people around you and being able to talk to people openly. I struggled for a long time to be able to open up and be vulnerable. I saw it as a weakness for the longest time but now I feel much more comfortable now sharing concerns or anxieties I may have.

I have incredible people in my life who give me a balanced opinion and will tell me to shut up when I’m not talking about anything important. But they will also lift me up if I need it and advise me and give me the courage to do the things I have. 

SAB: What’s the one thing you’d change about the women’s football industry? 

Earps: That’s a tough one. 

SAB: Ok, we’ll give you multiple choices…

Earps: The game is in a really good place if you compare it to where it was 10 years ago. There’s been a lot of significant change but, in all honesty, everyone associated with the women’s game can appreciate the progression, but also that there’s a long way to go and also a lot of battles and wins to be had.  

Sometimes, social media makes it look like it’s all sunshine and rainbows and roses but it’s not like that. There’s a lot of fantastic things about the game. I love what I do and the fact that I get to do this for a job – I never pictured I’d be able to do this for the longest time.  

It’s taken me all over the world, to incredible places to meet incredible people. But there’s still plenty of change to be made. Over the next couple of years I’d like to see the game being produced on TV better than what it currently is.  

I would love to see replays, cameras with better quality, more camera angles. I had a conversation a couple years ago about the difference between the amount of cameras in a Premier League game and the amounts used in a WSL game. I can’t remember exact numbers but it was multiples. 

For me, one of the beautiful things about the men’s game, is that it’s a constant source of debate and discussion. I don’t think we can have those levels of discussions in the women’s game.

For example, in a situation where goal line technology isn’t being used, how do we tell if the ball is over the line or not? If you’re watching Match of the Day, there would be different levels of analysis available – being able to judge the speed of the ball or using animations to show you multiple versions of one moment in time and we don’t have that in women’s football.  

There’s an element of investment and profit margins which I get, but it doesn’t allow for accurate discussions and debates. So what happens is that whoever is there at the game, their opinion gets imitated by lots of other people.

When you watch men’s football pundits going at it (and sometimes giving verbal assassinations), it’s fun and entertaining, but in women’s football we can’t see the game in the same way yet. 

SAB: You’re the face of a major bread brand, an ambassador for an international lingerie brand. You’re in Madame Tussauds – how does it feel being such a house hold name? 

It’s a surreal feeling – I definitely never grew up expecting this or wanting this. My biggest dream was to represent my country at a major tournament and be lucky enough to win a few trophies. I used to write stories as a kid – and my mum probably still has them somewhere – of me playing at a World Cup. I was so grateful I was able to fulfil that dream last year. 

I don’t think too much about the rest of it. I’m grateful to have that connection with people and to hear their stories and that maybe the Lionesses or my goalkeeping journey has inspired them in some way.

Hearing people getting back into football after they fell out of love with it for a long time ago or being able to speak about their journey with their own health issues, anxiety and worries – I’m grateful that I can be a small part of that in some way.

SAB: As fans become more interested in players’ lives, do you ever feel that it’s becoming more difficult to remain your privacy and keep a private life? 

Earps: Yes, the game has changed a lot in the last couple of years -really dramatically. This was never a topic a couple of years ago. We went from playing in front of 50-100 people and to now playing in front of 60-80,000 people regularly.  

But with that, and it becoming more well known spoken about – which is what we’ve been fighting for – comes things we never anticipated. It’s hard being in the public eye, trying to have your own space, time and private life.  

I understand the eagerness to interact with players – I enjoy interacting with fans, but sometimes it’s difficult to have that boundary between Mary Earps the footballer and just Mary who is just chilling or going to the shops.  

I understand it from a clubs point of view. For me as a player, I want to give fans as much time as I possibly can. I enjoy that interaction and super grateful they come to the game and I want to show that appreciation. But it’s impossible to get round to everybody.

I’ve definitely had instances where I’ve been criticised. You sign a few hundred autographs, but the hundred and first person is unhappy and that’s always difficult. I’ve had instances of people banging on car windows or trying to grab you in moments….physical touch is always a difficult one. As much as you try and give as much energy as you can back, sometimes it feels like it’s not enough.  

Manchester City did an ‘autograph alley’ which was an interesting concept. When I spoke to the City players, they seemed to really like that approach and it achieved a good balance. It’s hard to manage the frustration fans sometimes feel but also recognising that the football comes first – hopefully they feel happy with the product they see. 

SAB: Let’s discuss the move from Manchester United to PSG – can you talk to us about your experiences at United?

Earps: I was at United for five years and I’ve been fortunate to have lots of incredible memories there. Playing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, winning the FA Cup last season. I developed a lot as a player and person there. I met some incredible people who I will stay friends with forever.  

Sometimes you need a change and I felt moving to PSG was the best thing for me. I hope it will bring another level out of me as a player. That’s what it came down to in the end.  

SAB: Why PSG out of all the other clubs that may have shown interest in signing you? 

Earps: I heard the vision and ambition of PSG. We had a presentation where they outlined that they want to be the best team in the world on and off the pitch. That really excites me – that’s where I want to be.

It’s a super talented team. I’m excited to be a part of it with players who are really going to challenge me every day, whilst it is also a different language, culture, training environment.

I have this thing in my head where I want to be pushed to my absolute maximum and I don’t want to leave anything on the table. I don’t want to ever look back and think, ‘Oh if I only I was brave enough’ or ‘If I’d only got another 1% out of myself’. I want to max out on all the percentages I’ve got in my locker before it’s time to call time – the careers go quick and they’re short.  

SAB: How are you adjusting to life in France – can you give us an update? 

Earps: Where do I event start! Summer was a rollercoaster. I was in France for 3 weeks and then headed to Australia for 10 days! 

It’s so difficult with the language but hopefully I’ll learn and get better. I’m making a lot of effort – the girls will vouch for me! 

It’s been nice to have the girls back from the Olympics, to bond as a team and get some minutes on the pitch. It’s a tough adjustment. As much as I’d like to sit here and tell you how great it is, which I’m really enjoying, there’s a lot to think about and a lot of change.  

SAB: What’s been the biggest change? 

Earps: Things are run very differently. When you’ve been somewhere for five years, you know everything – where to be, what the club are building, where the parking is meeting times, when to weigh-in!

It’s just a whole load of information at once and trying to remember it all, as well as trying to set up a bank account, get a social security number, residency pass, set-up wifi and finding an apartment whilst you don’t speak the language – it’s been interesting… 

As soon as you feel settled off the pitch, you feel settled on the pitch and you can perform better. They really do link. It’s been a whirlwind! 

SAB: What do you do with your spare time in Paris? 

Earp: It’s very ‘Emily in Paris!’ No, I’ve only had one day off in Paris so far and it consisted of rest, sleeping, recovery and not a lot else. Also, errands and the supermarket.  

The first week or so, I spent a lot of time, trying to find out where to live, apartment hunting, driving around. Not quite as romantic as cycling around with baguettes in the basket yet, but maybe when I’ve got some downtime!

SAB: Do you still keep in contact with a lot of the MU players? 

Earps: Yes, I’ve spoken to Tooney recently and my goalkeeper coach at United. He’s been getting Mary Earps podcasts – which are 8-9 minute voice notes. My teammates don’t enjoy these but my former coach puts up with them.  

Voicenotes is how I’ve been keeping up with people, especially when I was in Australia with the time difference.

SAB: We’ve all seen the issues this summer around Blackburn and Reading. Do you think there is a misconception amongst mainstream media that women’s football is in a better space than it actually is? 

Earps : Definitely. Sometimes the women’s game is described as being in a good place but the reality is that that might only apply to a few clubs. Some clubs are still struggling.  

The Reading story was especially devastating as an ex-player and I coached there for a little while. You feel really helpless. I knew a few players and staff members that were still there. It’s gutting to hear clubs going through that – it’s the ugly side of the business. Men’s clubs also experience these kind of things – bankruptcy for example. 

But in women’s football, it just hits home a little bit more. It could be you or your teammates going through that. But there’s also a lot on the line as a female player, because the lifestyles and salaries aren’t the same. It’s their whole livelihood, the opportunities are fewer and maybe you can’t travel to other clubs. 

The game is going in a great direction but let’s not forget, there’s still a lot of work to do in making the game sustainable at all levels and not just focusing on one league at the top. How can we focus on lower leagues and grassroots – that’s where a lot of people come from and learn their craft. Without those leagues you wouldn’t have the top leagues so it’s really important we focus on the whole ecosystem.

SAB: Bit of a quick-fire now. Who is the most difficult player you’ve ever played against? 

Earps: Former Germany international and Lyon midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsán. That’s been the most consistent answer I’ve given throughout my career and I’ve played against some incredible players.

She was the first player I played against, when I was at Bristol Academy – we played against her in Frankfurt in the Champions League. She hit a free kick and the ball hit the bar before I’d even seen it, it was that quick.  She stood out.  

SAB: Biggest highlight of your career? 

Earps: Winning the Euros – hands down and nothing comes close. 

SAB: Your biggest challenge, regret, mistake? 

Earps: I don’t believe in regrets. Everyone does everything with the best intentions at the time. Mistakes happen in life. It’s normal, it’s part of who you are.  

If I could change anything or one scoreline, I would somehow win the World Cup against Spain last year. If I had a magic wand or time machine, that would be the one.

I love playing for my country, win, lose or draw but you play to win. Spain were an incredible team and worthy winners, but to play in a World Cup final and to win, would’ve been the icing on the cake. But you can’t win everything… although maybe ask Aitana Bonmati, she seems to win everything! 

SAB: What does life look like after football for you?  

Earps: Hopefully just happy and healthy, with a family, living a nice, little life. As carefree as possible.  

I love Paris but I’m not sure where I’ll be. I’d love to own my own business – I like the freedom of that and being my own boss but I’m not sure what that looks like, so watch this space…  

You can watch the full Point of View episode here:

We caught up with Arsenal and Lionesses defender Leah Williamson down at Newport Pagnell FC to unveil the first pitch named after her (provided by grant as part of the Lionesses Futures Fund (‘LFF’)).

Williamson spoke to us about the upcoming season with Arsenal, playing at the Emirates and how incredible the summer break has been…

At the unveiling Williamson spoke to the girls teams at the club and was then kitted out in a hard hat and hi-vis jacket in order to lay the penalty spot and mark the official opening of the pitch.


SAB: Being a childhood Arsenal fan, how excited are you to be playing 11 games at the Emirates this season?

Leah Williamson: I keep forgetting and the when I remember I think ‘this is unbelieveable’. It’s where I went to watch Arsenal growing up and now I’m on the pitch. I wish I could be on the pitch and in the stand at the same time.

SAB: What are your ambitions with Arsenal this season?

Williamson: We’ve gotta go for the league. I’m a big believer in taking every game as it comes but I think you’ve gotta know what you want and set out to get it.

SAB: No international football this summer – what’s been your highlight over the break?

Williamson: I’ve been able to go to a couple of things that would usually clash with the international calendar like Glastonbury – things I’ve never done in my life.

But I’ve been training the whole summer summer so I’m ready for the start of the season.

SAB: How exciting is it to be going up for the European title again this summer with the Lionesses?

I’ve never gone into an international tournament as the holders. I enjoy that pressure – the smile on my face says it all.

SAB: Congratulations on having a new legacy pitch named after you! What impact do you think the new pitch will have on the local community?

Williamson: It’s a space for girls. The interest is there from the girls. We know it is and then now they have a place to come and play.

The Leah Williamson SAB Pitch

Hopefully, one day, I hope there is as many girls’ teams as there is boys teams at this football club.

SAB: Talking of inspiring young girls, what are the best three tips you’d give to girls trying to come up through the game?

Williamson: If you wanna be a footballer, play as much as you can. I didn’t play as much as I could have when I was younger.

Also, listen to criticism before praise. Or maybe not before but don’t dismiss it – it’s the best thing. If someone is criticising you, they care about you.

Enjoy it. I still enjoy it now. That’s the only reason I play football. Not for any other reason. Always find the love in the game.

Leah Williamson unveils the first pitch named after her

SAB: Now you’ve got your own pitch – if you could have a kick about with anyone in the world, who would you choose?

Williamson:  Anyone in the world? Former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry, I think. I’m not sure what I could contribute to that kick about but I’d probably just stand and watch.

Photo credit: The Football Foundation & Arsenal FC

SAB: Thanks for joining us! We’ll get stuck in! Is there anything that you would have done differently in your football career so far?

Jen Beattie: That’s such a good question to start! There’s nothing I would have done differently, even going back to my time at Melbourne (2015-16) and Montpellier (2013-15) – they were the best, but hardest things I’ve done.

I was massively overwhelmed when I moved to Montpellier. I was only 20, so pretty young. I would always make the same decision to go, but I would’ve gotten more advice around the French league and people.

Not many people had even gone abroad at that point, let alone gone to play in France. The majority of British players that had gone abroad, went to the US – like Kelly Smith and Alex Scott.

SAB: What moments in your career have you found the most challenging and why?

Beattie: Probably moving to Montpellier, aged 22, was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’m 32 now and can handle moves better but it’s still just as hard.

You uproot your entire life to move abroad to a different country, to build a whole new network all over again. Getting used to a different style of football and making new friends is really hard, especially when you’ve spent a large portion of your career in England.

But a whole part of football is trying to challenge yourself.

SAB: When you moved out to France, could you already speak French or was that a learning curve as well?

Beattie: I did French as an A-Level so I had a base, but I was naive to think that that would get me by.

I remember my first day in the changing room. The team printed out a list of words for me in football terminology. Like ‘man on’ in French.

I became a bit more fluent but when the team would break out into actual conversation I was tapping out!

My brother lived out there for the first six months I was there – he was playing rugby – so I had a bit of a comfort blanket.

SAB: What is the most memorable game you’ve had so far in your career?

Beattie: I’ve got three.

My most memorable one was against Wolfsburg at the Emirates – for so many different reasons.

Arsenal had so many injuries that season and we were rallying as a team. We had performed really well in the first-leg over in Wolfsberg.

But to sell out of the Emirates for the first time – the whole occasion of it and then of course me scoring in front of a sold-out Emirates. It’s one of those moments that I’ll never ever forget. The fans really got behind us. I’ve never felt more supported on a football pitch.

SAB: That was a pretty iconic goal, right – everyone still talks about that…

Beattie: The game ended in heartbreak but it was an unbelievable day. I’ll stick with that.

SAB: What were the other two – go on, we’ll let you have them…

Beattie: Scoring (with Scotland) at the World Cup – against Argentina. I missed out on the Euros so to get to a World Cup was really special for me. That game was nuts.

And then my last ever game in a Man City shirt – we won the FA Cup at Wembley. I’ve got this really fun picture – it’s Steph Houghton and Georgia Stanway jumping on me at the final whistle.

To do that in my last game was super special for me.

SAB: Were there any other sports that you considered doing instead of football?

Beattie: So ironically, I come from a very rugby-dominated family, but we were into all sports. Tennis and golf were the other two that I loved.

Bizarrely, I’m really calm in a team sport environment – quite level-headed on the field – but for some reason I turn psychotic when it comes to individual sports.

I was the kid that smashed tennis rackets and hit my golf club – I have never had the mentality for individual sports – I always find them so enraging.

I did some tennis competitions in summer, competing for my school but I got to that point where you have to think about what you want to pick.

But I was always going to choose football. I love the team aspect of it, helping each, the camaraderie, the banter.

SAB: what would you do if you weren’t in the sporting industry – what career path do you think you would have chosen?

Beattie: in my sixth form – everyone was putting in their UCAS applications. I had no idea what I was going to do. I was almost going to take a year out and go traveling.

I got into a bit of broadcasting stuff and I enjoyed doing it. My dad spent his career doing that but for rugby and he loved it so maybe I would’ve gone into that.

SAB: Post-football career – would you want to go into broadcasting?

Beattie: yeah, I think so. I retired from Scotland two years ago. It was such a difficult thing to do, but I’ve really enjoyed having every international break to be able to do broadcasting, getting experience with Sky Sports or BBC.

Exclusive interview with Bay FC’s Jen Beattie

Working with Ian Wright at the Scotland v England game (in September 2023) – it was amazing to see how those guys do it. They’re such pros and they were so willing to help me learn.

I’m a huge people person – I love being around people. I definitely don’t want to do anything that’s working from home. Broadcasting is the closest adrenaline to playing that I’ve experienced and I’ll need that once I stop playing completely.

SAB: Are there any players that you see or still keep in contact with at Arsenal?

Beattie: Steph Catley and Beth Mead. Also, Leah Williamson, Lia Walte, Kim Little – they’re just the best humans on the entire planet. I love them so much. They’re epic people, let alone epic footballers.

They’re people that I hope I have in my life forever. They check in on me and see how I’m doing. It’s difficult with the time difference but those friendships will always be the same no matter how much you’re able to speak. Kim, I’ve known since I was 14.

I can’t wait to get back in December, once the league’s finished. I’ll base myself in London and spend time with them. I’ll go to the Emirates and watch some games.

SAB: What did you love the most about playing with Arsenal?

Beattie: The fans are some of the best in the world. They’re so supportive and also the scale of playing for a club like Arsenal, playing at the Emirates and playing for the badge.

Also, not many women’s players had those kinds of training facilities – they were impeccable pitches to train on every single day!

And the style of play. As a kid, I grew up watching the invincibles like (Thierry) Henry, (Robert) Pirez,  (Dennis) Bergkamp. From a women’s standpoint, it was Kelly Smith, Alex Scott – all these legends played the ‘Arsenal Way’ and that’s why I fell in love with football.

SAB: How would you feel if Bay played Arsenal?

Beattie: I’d love it as I’d get to see all my mates. That’s my two favourite things – California meets Arsenal.

SAB: How have you found living out in the US?

Beattie: Leaving behind Arsenal and all my mates was difficult, but I couldn’t ask for a better club to do it with – it feels like family.

With Arsenal, you have the first team, academy etc but in the NWSL, it’s just that team – so it’s tight knit.

The style of football is challenging because it’s totally different, but that’s the whole point of doing it. That said, California is an absolutely incredible place to live – the hiking, the lakes, San Fran, LA.

The timing was right for me. For a kid who grew up living in Glasgow, to living in California is insane. My second game was against Washington Spirit, over in DC and I took a selfie in front of the White House!

SAB: What do you do in your off-time?

Beattie: One of my best mates, Carly Telford, came out here and we got in the car and went exploring. We did Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley and played golf on Pebble Beach.

Exclusive interview with Bay FC’s Jen Beattie

I like swimming, hiking and being totally in nature! Organic, natural wine is also amazing!

I’m also trying to do a bit of work experience with the Bay FC investors!

SAB: What’s your go-to US food?

Beattie: I love organic food. I have been known to spend 20 dollars on a smoothie. I’m vegan so I’m always on the lookout for treats.

SAB: Have you found it difficult being vegan in the US?

Beattie: It depends on the state. California is great for it – there’s always options!

SAB: And how have you found the weather – playing in the heat!

Beattie: Initially, I really struggled – it was 35-38 degrees. We try to train earlier in the day. In Florida, the humidity is awful. I was getting goosebumps I was so hot.

SAB: Bay FC entered the NWSL this year – have there been any highlights or challenges being one of the newest teams in the league?

Beattie: The challenge is that you have a whole group of people who are brand new – figuring out how to communicate, creating partnerships with staff and players, figuring out a philosophy, a style of play. We found that hard and maybe some of the results have reflected that, but it’s a good group of people and we want to work at it.

Exclusive interview with Bay FC’s Jen Beattie

Highlight-wise – beating Angel City on their home ground as the season-opener…

I love the production-side of games – there’s like fireworks, the national anthem – it’s such a fun day, the chants from the fans. It’s an event.

SAB: What did you make of the fan-base at Bay?

Beattie: I thought it would take a long time to build the fan base but the area really wanted it and it’s a huge area!

SAB: There’s a lot of WSL players moving over to the WSL – what do you think is attracting them?

Beattie: The league. The NWSL previously collapsed but since its rebirth, it’s been steady and a lot of the teams in the league are offering good contracts which are sustainable.

The league is so different to Europe – the style of football too. It’s a whole new challenge for the likes of Jess Carter and Jessie Flemming who have come across.

It’s always fun when someone comes across from the WSL and you play against them. Like with me and Ann-Katrin Berger when we played Gotham.

SAB: Have you made a few besties at Bay?

Beattie: Deyna Costellanos and I clicked from day one. We arrived at the same time. We went through similar emotions of moving so we understand what each other have been through.

Rachel Hill is awesome – she’s so level headed and sensible!

SAB: Bay was founded by USWNT legends – how does it feel to be with a club founded by heroes in the game?

Beattie: It’s one of the coolest things. They’re such amazing people – the way they want to help you. Leslie Osborne from day one has always said, ‘whatever I can help you with, let me know. Do you want to go for a coffee?’

I’m one of the older ones so I’m closer in age to them!

Brandy Chastain – her mentality – you realise why she was such an unbelievable champion. I’ve played golf with her and the one on one conversations I’ve had with her have been invaluable.

Photo credit: Bay FC & Jen Beattie IG