The She Kicks Locker Room: Captain’s Chat with Gemma Fay

Scotland captain and record cap holder Gemma Fay, on 189 appearances and newly recruited by Glasgow City, discusses the armband. She would like to describe herself as an empowering captain, having learned from experienced people that the job is less about being everything to everyone and more about letting team-mates discover how good they can be. Listening, she says, is the single most important quality. She is proudest not of one moment but of watching young players come through the national team, and finds the responsibility a privilege rather than a pressure. She argues there are eleven captains on the pitch, notes that more of the job happens off it, and advises new skippers never to mimic anyone else.