Devil In Villan’s Clothing (Kirsty Hanson Interview)

On loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United and scoring against her parent club’s rivals, Kirsty Hanson explains a move made for minutes rather than money. She had not played enough the previous season, felt she was entering an important stage of her career, and wanted to enjoy football again; Marc Skinner agreed she needed games, and Carla Ward, a teammate at Sheffield FC years earlier, told her to dribble at players and be herself. The interview is good on how far the game has moved: Doncaster Belles sessions on five-a-side pitches after school, an hour and a half each way to train, home at eleven. She talks about learning to ignore social media, about Kenza Dali knowing exactly what pass she wants, and about dedicating a goal to her late grandad.