I Played Football For England!

Pioneering player Sue Whyatt likes nothing more than a good game of family footie and she’s right at home in goals!

- CLARE CASSY

Born and bred in Macclesfield, where she still lives, it was the 1966 world cup that first inspired Sue Whyatt to start kicking a ball.

"Gordon Banks and Bobby Charlton were my heroes," she says. "I lived on the local council estate where there were mostly boys. We all played out together - from dawn 'til dusk in the holidays.

"When they played footie and needed a goalkeeper I volunteered. Sometimes we played one-on-one, competing for a rubber replica figure of Denis Law - our local footballing legend. I will never forget the day I won it. I'm still in touch with some of those lads who have always been very generous and supportive.

"Girls playing football wasn't encouraged when I was growing up. I used to play with the lads in primary school but, like so many other girls, fell foul of the FA ban which excluded girls from playing on their clubs' pitches. So, when I went to secondary school, I knew I had to find somewhere else to play football.

"My dad always told me I could do anything and was as good as any boy. I think my mum would have liked me to be a bit more lady-like but luckily my sister, who is six years younger, enjoyed doing lots of girlie things, so that took the heat of me. So, I persevered with my footie, landing a trial with the Macclesfied Ladies team, who were after a goalie.

"From there, me and my fellow Macclesfield Ladies player, Janet Clark, nee Bagguley, were chosen for the 15-strong England squad to go to Scotland to play the very first Women's international on November 18, 1972 at Ravenscraig Stadium, Greenock. I was just 16 years old.