Born Kicking: Holly Grace Kirby

Eight-year-old Holly Grace Kirby from Broxbourne plays for the Broxbourne United Puffins Under-9s, supports Arsenal Women, and states plainly that she does not like boys’ football. She has two favourite positions and a reason for each: in goal because it is fun and she can shout a lot, and up front because she likes scoring. Asked to describe herself in a few words she offers annoying, happy, fearless and energetic, and her team-mates call her crazy woman on account of the yelling. The funniest thing that has happened to her in football was making a crucial save with her face, which hurt a lot; she cried and then laughed. Her sister Poppy helps their father coach the team and looks after all the girls, and Holly hopes to have inspired other girls to try it.