Rachel Brown-Finnis

Catherine Etoe meets the Everton goalkeeper, 32 and in her tenth season at the club, who married professional golfer Ian Finnis on New Year’s Eve. Friends flew in from across the world; her hen do at the University of Alabama saw her dressed as an American footballer with the girls as cheerleaders, planned by maid of honour and Everton captain Jody Handley. Burnley-born, she persuaded her parents at 13 to send her to a Bob Wilson goalkeeping course in London, where she was the only girl, and within three years had played in an FA Cup final and for the England seniors. A qualified teacher, she has signed up as a Living for Sport mentor with the Youth Sport Trust, working with pupils disengaged from sport. She welcomes Andy Spence’s changes, Liverpool’s investment and the coming promotion and relegation.