| Position: Midfield Date of birth: 15/06/82 Currently plays for: Charlton and England Previously: Fulham |
| Position: Midfield Date of birth: 15/06/82 Currently plays for: Charlton and England Previously: Fulham |
What would you say to a girl who says she likes football but doesn't think she's any good?
I'd say just keep practicing. It's amazing how much you can improve if you practice regularly. If you want something badly enough and you work hard then you will get there eventually.
Do you think you need to still be young to learn to play football and stand any chance of going anywhere?
No not at all. Obviously the younger you start playing the better but that doesn't mean you can't achieve anything if you don't start till a bit later.
Are there any things that you keep telling yourself or ways of keeping a good attitude that you think have helped you?
I just keep telling myself to work hard and be open to new suggestions, as I've still got a lot to learn. Having an open mind has helped me, and also being prepared to work hard and learn from your mistakes.
How did you make the move to Fulham?- Were you spotted or did you make the first move?
I joined Fulham from Millwall in 2000. Fulham approached me but I was happy to join as it meant I could turn professional.
Which skills / training exercises do you think help you most in your games?
Since turning professional my fitness has really improved so I'd say probably all the fitness exercises have helped me the most. Ball skills are also really important and it's something we spend a lot of time working on.
Do you think that the professional pay is good enough to make girls consider football as a job worth aiming for?
Obviously it's not as good as the men's but if the FA set up a professional league then yes, there's no reason why girls shouldn't see football as a career.
Do you have any regrets like not doing something or making a bad decision?
I don't think so, no. I'm very happy at the moment, I've always loved football and to be getting paid for playing is great.
What's the best decision you've made?
Joining Fulham and turning professional means I get to train everyday and my game has really improved as a result.
What does an average day consist of?
Well we train six days a week so most of the time it's preparing for training and getting plenty of rest in between matches. It's important that you give your body time to recover so it's important to rest properly in between training and matches.
What did your family think about you playing football before you went professional?
They've been very supportive of me from the start. They knew it was something I wanted to do so they were right behind me.
And what do they think now?
They're really pleased for me and they come and watch as many games as they can. Mark, my fiancée, has been terrific and he thinks it's great that I'm professional.
Do you have any other interests?
The thing I enjoy most is spending time with Mark and my family.