I quit football for 14 years after homophobia stopped me playing
Football was a hugely important part of my life from a young age.I used to have kick-arounds with friends between the ages of seven and 11 after school (even though I was the only girl that played) and go to matches with my dad.
A Bovril and pie was our halftime ritual.My parents were incredibly supportive of my love of football. They encouraged me to join my first all-female team when I was 11.
I played in goal and they came to every match, cheering me on from the sidelines – even if we were losing 8-0.I was used to hearing homophobic comments towards women playing football throughout my childhood, it was something that pretty much all of my teammates experienced.
I was ridiculed by people at school who called me a d**e for playing the sport. At first, I tried to not let it bother me but as I progressed through school it started to affect me more.Being asked if I was a lesbian, just because I played football became exhausting.
