She Kicks Back: Tony Leighton

A two-page She Kicks Back conversation in which editor Jen O’Neill marks Tony Leighton’s retirement at the end of 2017 after two decades covering women’s football. Leighton reveals he has reported on about 180 of England’s roughly 230 matches since his first, against France at Yeovil in early 1999, across 28 different countries, and describes the joy of finally watching a game as a fan. He names Sweden as a favourite posting, recalls being the only journalist present in Belgrade and Zagreb, and credits Hope Powell, initially suspicious of him, as both a great help and a friend. Won over by Germany against Sweden at Euro 2001, he rates that Germany side as his favourite team and Kelly Smith as the finest player he has seen, ahead of Marta, with Kim Little and Lucy Bronze close behind.