Football legend Jill Scott MBE: 'My sport has changed so much'
The Euro 2022 winner has got involved with a newly illustrated children’s football book series
Last updated 1 day ago
Former England star Jill Scott has been appointed as chief women’s football advisor by sixth-tier club Salford City Lionesses.
She said she is looking forward to realising some “powerful ambitions” with the club, which currently plays in Division One Central of the North West Regional League.
Their unbeaten start to the season has included a 16-0 win over Stockport County’s development team.
Scott, a regular alongside Salford co-owner Gary Neville on the Stick to Football podcast, said: “I’m incredibly excited to be stepping into this new role, helping to drive the Lionesses forward and achieve our powerful ambitions.
“With the backing and knowledge of AIG and a team of passionate, talented people at Salford, I have no doubt that the years ahead will be some of our most memorable yet.”
This all comes as the former Lioness Scott is contributing to a new series of children's football books aimed at inspiring the next generation of sports enthusiasts.
The Euro 2022 champion, known for her 161 caps for England, has written the foreword and narrates the Things’ Football Adventures, a newly illustrated children’s football book series.
'All we ever wanted is for a young girl to think they have an opportunity to play'
"The book is a chance for young girls and young boys to get to know the WSL players, and what's really important in this book is the female representation," Jill told Hits Radio Pride.
"I think the sport has changed so much, and one of the things is the interest in women's football.
"We always said, all we ever wanted is for a young girl to think they have an opportunity to play.
"And if you look at the top of the WSL, the crowds have increased so much, which is just incredible.
"When I think back to little Jill starting her football journey, I would never have thought that would have happened.
"It's been such an honour to be involved in women's football, and to be involved in projects like this is so important, too."
The North East legend spent the majority of her WSL career at Manchester City, making more than 100 league appearances and helping them win the WSL title in 2016 - but revealed how the North East is still her home.
She said: "Playing for City, that was the first time I felt like a professional footballer, really.
"That was a time when the game changed for me, and I've got such fantastic memories.
"Since moving from the North East about 22 years ago, I haven't moved from the North West, so it's a great place to be - there's so much going on, and it's so happy.
"But I just love Sunderland.
"I think family still being there, there's a lot of people who never moved away, so it's all about the people, for me.
"And their love for football, I think if you're from the North East, the sport is in your blood and I'm very proud to be from that part of the world."
'I've always felt like I can be who I want to be'
Jill has become something of an LGBT+ icon too - a hugely popular ally whose authenticity, humour and support for inclusion have made her a real favourite with queer football fans.
In March 2020, she also announced her engagement to long-term partner Shelly Unitt - and told Hits Radio Pride why visibility is just so important.
She reflected: "For me, I've always felt like I can be who I want to be.
"I speak about being in a relationship with a female on social media, and that's a really important space to share who I really am.
"I think, in life, if you're wanting to judge people on stuff like that, I've never really understood it.
"I think we should all be happy, and if someone's got a problem with that, then they're probably not someone you should have in your life."
Lack of female representation
The launch coincides with research by British Gas, which highlights that six in ten Britons (60%) feel there is a lack of female representation in children's books, TV shows, and films.
The statistics are more pronounced among women, with two-thirds (66%) echoing this sentiment.
Moreover, over nine in ten adults (97%) stress the importance of children growing up with visible female role models.
Yet, more than a third (34%) believe there is a scarcity of such figures in contemporary public life.
A further 92% think that showcasing female footballers in books, TV, or media could motivate more girls to pursue football or sport.
Additionally, 96% of people expressed a desire for more children's stories that depict girls as footballers, athletes, and sports heroes.
British Gas has designed the first-of-its-kind series, featuring a ‘flip it over’ format.
This innovative approach includes two front covers, each dedicated to a team, with narratives converging in the centre.
The inaugural title, Matchday Mix-Up!, portrays the Thing family attending a Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion match and will be obtainable as a digital download.
Research identifies sportswomen among the nation's most esteemed female role models.
Olympic heptathlon champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill leads the list with 37% admiration, accompanied by esteemed athletes Dame Kelly Holmes (34%), Alex Scott (32%), and Jill Scott (29%).
Also included in the top ten are renowned figures such as Adele (29%) and Emma Watson (29%).
Jill Scott emphasises the significance of representation within literature: "Growing up, I didn’t always see footballers like me in the books I read, and that’s exactly why I wanted to be part of Things’ Football Adventures. Representation on the page matters just as much as it does on the pitch, and I hope this book inspires the next generation of players and fans, whoever they support.”
The list of top 10 female role models includes:
- Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill (37%)
- Dame Kelly Holmes (34%)
- Alex Scott (32%)
- Adele (29%)
- Emma Watson (29%)
- Jill Scott (29%)
- Kate Middleton (27%)
- Ellie Simmonds (26%)
- Katie Piper (22%)
- Kate Winslet (21%)