Before coaching, I had played for numerous clubs, most notably: Preston North End, Everton and Liverpool. However, even at the very beginning of my playing career, I always found myself trying to advise younger players during matches and training sessions which led me to be vice-captain of Everton. The captain (Alex Greenwood) is now in England’s senior side at just twenty years of age – so it is definitely no shame on my behalf to have achieved the role of vice captain.
I also spent some time at Mossley Hill FC who play in the third tier of women’s football (northern combination league). Whilst there, I played against teams such as: Huddersfield Town, Newcastle United, Stockport County and Middlesbrough. As I began to approach my 2nd season with the club, I began to experience things that were de-motivating me as a player (something which I intend to speak of in my next column) and after the 1st game of the season, I decided playing football at this level was no longer something I prided myself on doing and at the age of 18, I hung up my boots. So with the exception of the occasional 5-aside and futsal – coaching is now my forte.
Despite the bitterness I may feel towards no longer playing football, I am very thankful for my experiences at three great clubs and a centre of excellence/academy. Some of the coaches I have played under have been nothing short of outstanding, including 3 UEFA (A) coaches and several UEFA (B) coaches. However, I’d like to think I learnt other skills too even at another grassroots club named Crosby Stuart who are located within Liverpool. I may never have played the best football at Crosby Stuart but I enjoyed myself there more than anywhere else as they really did behave like a little family. It was nice to be a part of that.
When I was 17, myself and a friend got the opportunity to test ourselves against who I consider to be the elite of women’s football – the Americans. We went out with college to guest for a team in Phoenix, Arizona and participated in the Presidents Day tournament. What an amazing experience that was.
As a team, we came runners up and it was the most success that particular side had ever had within that tournament. Not long after, we was both offered a scholarship to go to Notre Dame College in Colombus, Ohio, but unfortunately our low SAT scores meant it would cost a great deal to study over there which resulted in me staying in sunny England to pass my FA Level 2 and pursue a career in coaching.
Hopefully I can pass on some knowledge to you all about the women’s game and share some opinions from a female perspective in my next features.
A Female Perspective
by Emma Thompson
My name is Emma Thompson; I’m a FA Level 2 football coach from Preston. I run my own football coaching business (Football Elita) alongside a girl’s grassroots football team in Bolton (Academy Juniors FC). I’m also a student at UCFB (Turf Moor Campus).
With Everton FC Girls at MUFC
Playing for Preston vMan City
Emma
Playing in Arizona, USA