Ha’way Hepple

Sophie Lawson meets Durham’s Beth Hepple in biting winds after a 3-1 home win over Manchester United, the midfielder pausing every other minute to sign autographs for the young fanbase the club has cultivated. A part-timer in an increasingly professional sport, Hepple has graduated from Sunderland University with a business and management degree and balances work with football purely for love of the game. Almost ever-present for three seasons and a tireless driver of attacks, she admits considering moves to Europe or the top tier but says it is impossible to take the North East out of her. She credits the club’s modest beginnings, manager Lee Sanders and her mother Dawn, the club secretary, and notes Durham are flying the flag for a region that has supplied much of the England squad.