Born Kicking

The magazine’s recurring slot for young players profiles three aspiring footballers. Zoe Kilpatrick, 12, from Antrim plays for Crusaders Strikers Under-15s and Northern Ireland’s Centre of Excellence, is two-footed, favours left-back and dreams of playing for her country; she names Steven Gerrard as her hero and captaining her school to its first Northern Ireland title as a career highlight, alongside a training invitation to Everton’s Girls’ Centre of Excellence. Jaena Tolliday, 10, from London plays for LOASS Under-12s, is nicknamed The Brick, prefers defence and hopes to become a professional footballer, carrying a lucky monkey key ring to every game. Chantelle Ree, 13, from Prudhoe plays for Sunderland and the Gateshead Centre of Excellence Under-15s and has already met Beth Mead, Toni Duggan and Steph Houghton.