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.

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.

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.

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