Jill Scott: Queen of the Jungle

To  celebrate Jill Scott being crowned Queen of the Jungle, in the 2022 'I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out If Here', we’re giving you another chance to hear this brilliant interview with her. Enjoy! 

Football legend Jill Scott MBE won over 160  caps for England, played in four World Cups, was part of Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics and was a member of the winning England team at this summer's Euros.  

Jill left her hometown club of Sunderland to play for Everton in 2006 and went on to help them win the FA Women's Premier League Cup in 2008 and FA Women's Cup in 2010.  

In 2008 she was voted the FA Players' Player of the Year and 2011 the FA International Player of the Year. The FIFA technical report after the 2011 Women's World Cup described her as one of England's four outstanding players: "an energetic, ball-winning midfielder who organises the team well, works hard at both ends of the pitch and can change her team's angle of attack." 

Jill was awarded an MBE the 2020 New Year’s Honours for services to football.

Thank you to Sport England who support The Game Changers Podcast with a National Lottery award.

Find out more about The Game Changers podcast here: https://www.fearlesswomen.co.uk/thegamechangers

Hosted by Sue Anstiss
Produced by Sam Walker, What Goes On Media

A Fearless Women production

Transcript

Jill Scott - Queen of the Jungle 2022

Jill Scott (0s):

It was my life, really. I think now that I'm getting a bit older and I think about the time that I'm not going to be playing football, it scares us really cause from being in the age of five six, which is probably my earliest memories anywhere. It was always about football. So yeah, there's probably a lot more memories about football than life in general, to be honest.

Sue Anstiss (21s):

And how did you start playing?

Jill Scott (23s):

So, yeah, probably a similar story to a lot of the girls playing with the boys at school. I was fortunate enough that I had a school teacher when I got about age eight and he let us play with and on the boys team. So that was a good opportunity for me. So I know a lot of the girls kind of, a lot of their pathways were blocked. So I still keep in touch with that teacher. Now we actually recently just saying, well done on the FA cup and stuff. So yeah, just, just playing football with the boys realized that I was okay at it and yeah. Just went from there really.

Sue Anstiss (57s):

And how did it make you feel? How did you feel playing? Do you remember thinking back how you felt playing at the time?

Jill Scott (1m 3s):

It was difficult at times. I remember I say this story quite a bit, that a lot of the parents, I think because you're a girl and you're beating somebody's son, then I think they get quite like defensive. And I remember getting upset a lot of times on the pitch because they'd be like kick that girl, kick that girl. And I was only eight, nine year old. And my mum, like there was, there was three of us at the time and she didn't drive. So it meant that I had to, like get lifts off people to the football. so a lot of the time I was there on my own, which was completely fine. But yeah, I remember getting upset, but I think just the love of the game, I always pick my football boots back up on the Tuesday and went train and again, so yeah, I'm kind of appreciative for those moments because it was tough, but it taught us very early on that I suppose life's not easy all the time.

Sue Anstiss (1m 49s):

Absolutely, and family life. So you say you kind of grew up with siblings and were you quite sporty family.

Jill Scott (1m 55s):

Yeah, well, yeah. So my dad used to play football. He got a few injuries over the years and I think there's like the sport kind of on both sides. So there's sometimes a family argument about where you get the sport gene from. And I'm like, just myself, I've worked hard and created this gene. But yeah, the family loves football my brother is actually a good player. He never really went on to play at a certain level, but he's a lot faster than me. I think that's a male versus female kind of genetics so, yeah, it was always in the family. And as I say, I was always supported when, when I went in to play football,

Sue Anstiss (2m 29s):

You were a keen runner as well too. So tell us a little bit about that, I think people don't all know that about you?

Jill Scott (2m 35s):

Yeah. So running it came from playing football, I think for anybody listening to this, when you go to a senior school. If you do one sport, you're suddenly part of every single team. So I was on the hockey team, the badminton team, the running team. But yeah, I had quite a natural talent for running and kind of before I knew it I'd won the North of England championships, cross country Northeastern 1500 meters. And suddenly I was like on my way to go on to English Schools championships. And it got to the point where I got glandular fever because I was racing in 1500 meter race on a Sunday morning. And then I was playing in a cup final on the afternoon and I was just absolutely knackered.

Jill Scott (3m 16s):

So I had to make a decision, which one, and it was always going to be football because I always remember saying to my running coach, like, what am I meant to think about when I'm doing these races? And he was like, the race concentrated on the race, just my concentration's not very good. So being part of a team suits me a lot better, if that makes sense.

Sue Anstiss (3m 34s):

Do you still run now, as part of your training, but you enjoy running?

Jill Scott (3m 38s):

Yeah. It's part of it part of my train and I do, but through lockdown, I've actually got back into it a little bit more because it's hard to do your own train them because you've obviously on these like football training sessions and there's not enough time to do extras, but I miss the competitive element over the lockdown. So I was trying to like time trial myself and yeah, I got back into it really realized I wasn't as good as when I was 14. Everything hurts a little bit more, but yeah, I enjoyed running and I think that's probably why I've gone on to kind of have the career that I've had because I have got a natural engine, but something that I've also had worked at.

Sue Anstiss (4m 14s):

Because , a story you might have told, but you won the mini marathon at the London marathon when you were young as well too, do you remember that, that day, do you think back?

Jill Scott (4m 23s):

Went down on the coach the day before. So I was only 14 when London and stayed obviously with all these winners that would represent in Durham County at the time. And yeah, so I've ran in the race. And I always remember the race. There was about 500 kids there. And I remember there was some police tape as I came to what I thought was the end, the finish line. So I've run through this tape with my hands up realized that it was just the police cordon area, and realised I still had another mile to go. So I absolutely died this last mile and somehow I managed to win, but it was interesting, because the marathon was obviously being aired on the telly and they shot to my race just kind of at that point that I won it.

Jill Scott (5m 5s):

So I think my mum was like, I think she's just won the mini marathon. And then you get wrapped up in one of them, big silver blankets. And I was just walking around London with this trophy body I couldn't find anyone I knew and was just, yeah, it was a, it was a crazy day. Eventually I bumped into somebody and yeah, went home withim with this trophy

Sue Anstiss (5m 26s):

Fantastic and did you have any female sporting role models when you were growing up? So you talk about football or athletics or other things?

Jill Scott (5m 33s):

Paula Radcliffe did when I was younger through, through the running I just, I always thought she was just fantastic and because I knew what my 1500 meter times where at that age for her to do them times consistently, I just couldn't believe it. So yeah, in football it was, it was more that I had a male role model. So it was like David Beckham and people like that. But I think that's, what's about the game now that players have profiles that young girls can look up to. So yeah, I suppose times have changed, but yeah, David Beckham, I loved him of them at the time,

Sue Anstiss (6m 9s):

The Northeast is really renowned for its football. So why, why do you think that is historically?

Jill Scott (6m 15s):

I think, yeah, it's just always been football, like Newcastle versus Sunderland derby day is just absolutely massive in the Northeast and I think wherever you go, it's football. So I remember my granddad got us a season ticket to Sunderland and I just had a real passion for going to the games on the Saturday and players like Michael Gray, Kevin Phillips, Niall Quinn. And I've been lucky enough to have conversations with them since that. And I'm still like, Oh my God, there's Mickey Grey, because as a kid, I used to love watching him running up and down that left wing. So yeah, I think that's where a real passion comes from. And as I say, everywhere you go is just, it's just football. I suppose, all kids play football. People say there's something in the water up there.

Sue Anstiss (6m 57s):

And where did you start your playing career?

Jill Scott (7m 0s):

So I start in Fulwell in Sunderland. So that was like playing for the boys team. And then I got told I couldn't play anymore. And my mum suggested maybe playing netball. I think I cried, which is anything against netball, but if you've seen us playing football you'd know a non-contact sport would not be for me. And then yeah. Went on, find a team called Borden girls that was where Steph Houghton play it so I met her quite early on and then yeah, kind of went from there to Sunderland. And then that's when I suppose my career started in terms of playing for the women's team.

Sue Anstiss (7m 34s):

And what are your memories of playing there as a young girl, so with Steph was there as well at the same time?

Jill Scott (7m 39s):

Yeah, so Steph was a year younger than me a year and a half younger is she yeah. So she was the age group below me, but yeah, I loved it. I loved it. We were just like loads of street kids rocking up to the games in mini buses with ham and cheese sandwiches, a packet of crisps. But yeah, we just absolutely loved it. And then I remember getting back home, my mum just handing us a carrier bag and being like take them socks, shin pads, everything off before you get in this house. So yeah. They were great days great days and ones are when I think back now, how old was I? Nine. So like 24, 25 years ago. That's just crazy to think.

Sue Anstiss (8m 17s):

How different is the experience of you as a young woman there to, I guess there's young girls coming through the academy now at Man City. How different does that feel for them now?

Jill Scott (8m 26s):

Yeah, it's so different. I think I look at them to know be even the fact they are in matching kit, the opportunities that they have turned up at places like Man City Academy, being able to train there, having full use of the gym and everything like that. I kind of, I try not to be one of them, people that are like back in our day, we didn't have this. You have to remember that everyone's journey is different, but yeah, certainly a little bit jealous of kind of the opportunities that they have but also for very pleased for them and pleased for women's football, to see how far it's come now. They can come and they can get all that technical training, two, three, four times a week.

Jill Scott (9m 7s):

I look at like the under tens and the under twelves and I think, well, probably technically better than me now, to be honest,

Sue Anstiss (9m 13s):

I didn't realize, when I looked back, I didn't realize you went to Loughborough, I was at Loughborough quite a bit before you were there. What did you study when you were there?

Jill Scott (9m 23s):

Yeah, so the studying, the study, hmm I went there and if I'm being completely honest, I just wanted to play football. It was an opportunity train everyday do weights and kind of be like a professional footballer. So the studying and me and Kali Telford, who obviously plays for England and Chelsea is my best friend, we shared a room at Loughborough. We'll talk about it the other day on England camp and we'd go to weights, like at six o'clock in the morning and you had to be be at weights, and then we'd go back to bed at seven. And then our alarm would go off at eight. And there was so many times I was like, are we've gone in today and she was like, no, we'll just go back to sleep. But somehow she managed to get a degree and I didn't.

Jill Scott (10m 4s):

So yeah, hopefully I should have studied a lot more, but I do say that to like kids now, I'm like makes you, you stick in when you study in but, I suppose I haven't done too bad from it, but in the end of my career, maybe a degree would have come in handy.

Sue Anstiss (10m 20s):

And what'd you think you might have done if you hadn't continued playing football, what do you think your path might have been?

Jill Scott (10m 26s):

I always say it would have been, would have been to do with sport. Now that I'm thinking of it. I was going to say a PE teacher but again, we were on England camp the other day, I htink we've been having more conversations within the girls because of COVID, and you're very restricted to what you can do. So it's actually brought us closer together in a way, because all you do is talk to each other. And I was sitting there the other day. I think I was with Lucy Bronze, the Carly Telford again, and the under nineteens were over the other side. Cause you have to kind of separate. And I was telling them that I always wanted to be a red coat do you know at Butlins? They were the holidays we had. So the girls were like I dare yet to go and perform one of the dances for the nineteens.

Jill Scott (11m 11s):

So I got them all up doing this Rory the Tiger song from Haven, and they thought it was quite funny, but you know what? I remembered every single word with the actions and everything. So yeah, it would have been something like that. Like a children's entertainer or something.

Sue Anstiss (11m 27s):

Not too late. It's not too late.

Jill Scott (11m 29s):

It's true. It's true. I'll just have to find the Rory the tiger costume to fit, I think.

Sue Anstiss (11m 34s):

And what then took you to Everton you were still living and working in the Northeast at the time. I believe?

Jill Scott (11m 40s):

Yeah. Well then I'd gone through Gateshead college, which again was a football college. And then they offered me the chance to go back as a coach under the coach there. Who's still there now called Melanie Ray, who I played at Sunderland with, so she offered us like a bit of a job, which was good. But I'd realize that I was going to have to be playing the league above if I wanted to try and get selected for England. And at the time Mo Marley who is an absolute legend, I couldn't couldn't say enough good words about her. She said that she was interested in this sign-in. And as soon as I heard that I was straight on the M62 and my little Nissan, I had my road maps and I was like, Mam, I'm going to Liverpool.

Jill Scott (12m 22s):

I'm so grateful for my time and effort. And I made such good friends there that I still keep in touch with. Now, Rachel Brown, Lindsay Johnson is still my best of friends and yeah, my, my time at Everton there was just fantastic. I think I was there six or seven years.

Sue Anstiss (12m 39s):

And did you keep commuting through that time?

Jill Scott (12m 42s):

Yeah. So about three times a week. I remember cause I write it in my expenses. It was 176 miles, and a 176 back, so I used to say coach and I used to get in trouble actually. Cause I'd have to like drop my, my shoulder a little bit earlier or else I wouldn't have made training and Mel would be phoning us and she'd be like, where are? I'd be like just on the M62. , I was going to be like I'm not going to miss training and then so yeah, drive them. And then we always have the last slot of training because the boys Academy would train and, and stuff like that. So it was eight till 10 train and then I'd get home about one half, one in the morning. So I do that like say twice a week. And then I traveled down on a weekend for games.

Jill Scott (13m 23s):

So when I look back at pictures, I looked absolutely terrible because the only food I was probably relying on was a Dairylea lunchable from the services. So, but I managed to get through it. And as I say, I had a lot of good friends. I was trying to just sleep over or like they always offered as a place to stay, but yeah, probably the best times of my life when I look back.

Sue Anstiss (13m 46s):

And you didn't feel like giving up at any point, you didn't feel like it was too much, you were just obviously was so committed to it?

Jill Scott (13m 52s):

Oh no never, never. Honestly I loved it. I think getting in that car and going to training and I just loved it and I think, yeah, I was tired once I got there, but then once you start training and I think that adrenaline gets you through. And now sometimes when I think I feel a bit tired today I'm like, Jill, think about what you used to do. Like it's kind of, everybody says is train and harder now? And it's not necessarily that training is harder, it's just that you get so much more help with everything around it. So the nutrition, the life balance, getting your sleep in and stuff like that. So, yeah. It's interesting actually, to compare the two, definitely.

Sue Anstiss (14m 31s):

And tell me a little bit about your progress then in terms of playing for England when you first played when you were under 16, but what happens after, after that?

Jill Scott (14m 40s):

Yeah. So I got selected for a camp when I was 14, 15. You know what, if I'm being honest, I don't remember Karen Carney was there, Eni Aluko, Lianne Sanderson. And I was the worst player there. I really was. I remember thinking, Jill, you thought you were an okay footballer, but once it was opened up to the whole of England, I was like, I'm not ready. So we used to be on like gym programs, which you do back in Sunderland. And even if you speak to people now I laugh and I joke around in the gym and stuff. And I think back then they just thought Jill's not taking it serious. So I never got selected again until I was 18. And that was a really tough period because I was around the likes of Carly Telford, Steph Houghton And then they were getting picked every month to go with London.

Jill Scott (15m 24s):

I remember like thinking I wanted to cry sometimes because I just desperately wanted to be there. But with the help of people, like Mo Marley giving us an opportunity when I was 18. Alan Snowden, who was a Gateheads College he just told us to keep going, keep working hard and you'll get the opportunity. So, yeah. And then I got selected for the under nineteens and then it was just dead fast then. I played for the under nineteens for a year and then Hope called us up to the seniors when I was 19.

Sue Anstiss (15m 53s):

And did you keep that belief so fabulous to hear those people were supporting you during that time? Did you believe that you would get there eventually?

Jill Scott (16m 1s):

I think I just, I think what I've kind of learned from that is I used to just go train and then just give it everything. And I think that's just been instilled in us over the years, because I was never one of the best players growing up. I think that's kind of helped us so much. So even now, like it's hard to look back and think about all the World Cups you've been to Olympic to European Championships because I still just feel like that girl goes train and then gives it everything. So I dunno, it's a bit of a weird one really, but I think it's just, I think that's just been instilled in us from early on that believe in yourself, but also just control what you can control in terms of going to training and giving it everything.

Sue Anstiss (16m 44s):

Great advice for life. And I think 2013, 2013, you moved to Man City. So can you talk us through, I guess that moved from Everton where you'd been really happy?

Jill Scott (16m 54s):

Yeah. Well, a lot of the older players, it kind of started to leave who were my friends and stuff. And I was going to maybe move the year before. I'd had a few opportunities to go abroad. But at the time the England manager was changing and I thought if I maybe go abroad, it might kind of put us out of the picture for England. So I've always prioritized plan for England because that's what I've always wanted to do. So I remember getting the opportunity to be captain at Everton and I thought, Oh, this'll be good for us. And we had a lot of younger players coming through Nikita Paris, Alice Greenwood, Toni Duggan. And it was really good for us to get that role. And then I think after that year, I just felt like the time was right to leave.

Sue Anstiss (17m 37s):

Manchester City was just up the road,, got in contact with us and, and said, they were starting this whole new program full time. And I think just the opportunity, to train full time that I was a bit frustrated at Everton, because I didn't really know what to do with my days. So I was kind of like training, but then not really working. So there was still training that night. So it was like filling my days, whereas the opportunity to actually train in the day, everybody said that they are moving for the money to move and for the money I can tell you now I didn't get any more money for the move. It was just totally about the training. Yeah, life and lifestyle and balance of life, isn't it.

Sue Anstiss (18m 15s):

So you played for TeamGB at London 2012. So what are your memories of that incredible experience?

Jill Scott (18m 24s):

Yeah, I think out of all of the tournaments I've been to, that was my favorite by a mile, just especially because my running background just suddenly been around these incredible athletes, like walking around the athletes village and you can't help, but be a bit of a fan. You're like, Oh my God, there's Tom Daley, oh my god there's Mo Farah. but you have to like kind of act like you're on the same level. So I did manage to get a few selfies, but yeah, it was just, it was such a good experience, such a good experience. And that's probably why I was a bit gutted about us not being able to go to the Olympics the following four years. And then after that, because of different reasons, because I really wanted the girls to have that experience of what it's like to be around the individual athletes, because they're just so focused and you can learn so much from them.

Jill Scott (19m 13s):

And then we at the opportunity to go a different events and yeah, it was great. And I'm sure all the other girls would say exactly the same.

Sue Anstiss (19m 22s):

And do you think it will be very different in Tokyo having been at home games before?

Jill Scott (19m 27s):

Yeah, maybe I think with the London Olympics, what was so good was that it was in London. I remember we had about 82,000 at our game against Brazil. And I'm not saying that everybody bought a ticket because they wanted to be at women's football. They just wanted to be at the Olympics so, yeah, I think it will be different. It's still kind of that big question as to as whether it will go ahead. I really hope it does. And then obviously it's trying to get yourself selected for it, there is such fantastic talent across Scotland, Wales and all the kinds of places that are involved. So it will be very difficult to get selected. But for the players that go, it will be the best experience of their life.

Sue Anstiss (20m 7s):

And you mentioned that being like a fantastic championship, you've won so much so silverware across your career. What is the most memorable win? Do you look back and think of something that, that means the most to you in terms of the win?

Jill Scott (20m 20s):

It would have to be that league went with Manchester city just because probably just because I started playing for Sunderland women when I was like 14, 15, and I think it was fast-forward 15 years. That's how long it took us to, to win that league title. So yeah, they say good things 'come to those that wait', it certainly was one of them moments, but yeah, kind of getting my hands on that trophy for you after all that time. And there was a time at Everton, when we play Arsenal and all we needed was one point, it was the last game of the season and we got beat one nil and I was absolutely devastated. So yeah, I think to, to win, that was great. And that's something that I'd definitely like to get my hands on again.

Sue Anstiss (21m 2s):

And was it your fourth world cup last summer?

Jill Scott (21m 6s):

Yeah.

Sue Anstiss (21m 7s):

So what difference did that feel from previous championships and having, I guess, done it across your career in different ways?

Jill Scott (21m 14s):

I think this one there was probably I felt a lot more pressure. I think being an older player, I think performances are then expected of you and there was a lot more hype around it. I think with every tournament, cause the games grown, there so much more kind of media involved and stuff like that. But I was pleased with how it went from an individual kind of perspective. I think it was so tough, I think to play and featured in like all of the games. So I think it was like seven games in such a short space of time. And if I'm being honest, it probably took us about four months to get over it. I was just mentally drained, physically drained.

Jill Scott (21m 54s):

And I think when you work so hard for something and you want something so bad and then just in an instance, it's just taken away from you. I think that's probably one of the tougher things for football, because then the next things just fall the corner and you probably just so knackered, but Phil Neville was brilliant with me and he said, the the next trip after that, he was like, I'm just going to leave you at home and just kind of get yourself back together, concentrate on club football. And I think that's why I think he's such a good manager, because from that I was going to say man management, maybe I should say woman management point of view is he just really does understand that side. And I think in women's sport, that is so important.

Sue Anstiss (22m 34s):

You actually pre-empted my question there, which was going to be, do you feel more pressure playing for England now than you did in the days of playing for Hope Powell, et cetera. That's interesting. I spoke to Rachel Yankey for this same series. She said she never enjoyed that kind of celebrating her hundredth cap before the game itself. Cause she was always conscious of something could happen falling off the coach or whatever before she got onto the pitch. I wondered if you felt a bit like that last week when you're kind of about to get your a hundred and 50th, there's always a celebration about it before it actually happens.

Jill Scott (23m 4s):

Yeah. Yeah, you do. Well, the, actually they asked us if I wanted to get like photo like the day before or two days before something, and I said to them, I want to wait until it actually happens because I did have in my mind that maybe it's not going to happen. And I think like Yankey's said as well, like I remember before my hundredth, I was on my B license course and I'm going to get in trouble now, no I won't. I remember he said to us like, make sure you don't join in the sessions because it's just with like a random group predominant men. But if you don't join in the sessions, you kind of known as that player that didn't and then when you want want people in your session, it kind of looks so I played every single minute I was on the AstroTurf.

Jill Scott (23m 49s):

I'd get to training and they'd go, did you do anything? I'm like, no, not just, just watch from the side, but it was the week leading into my hundredth cap and I was convinced something was going to happen. So I do totally understand what you mean. Like you just kind of want that achievement. And I got asked recently if I was like upset about that game getting called off, because if I'd featured, I would've got my a hundred and 50th, but the game was never about me getting my hundred and 50th. It was about this play in Germany, testing us against the best, hopefully getting a result. And I think I just said, if you want to achieve something that I think there's only Farah William's that actually achieved it, then it's never going to be easy.

Jill Scott (24m 29s):

And that's one thing that I've, I've never had anything easy in football. I've always had to work for it. So I wasn't shocked that it wasn't a smooth road. I think this is nine months wait so far you get a bit, it'd be quicker than that actually. Well hopefully, hopefully I will get it one day.

Sue Anstiss (24m 47s):

Okay. But those of us, I guess, that have played sport to your level, Jill what's it like spending a game on the bench and you know, how does that feel to, as you know, it happened this weekend almost to not be there and be part of the team, but you're not getting out and playing?

Jill Scott (25m 1s):

Yeah. It's hard, like I think for I've experienced it at England over the years, but at club football, this is the first season that I found myself in that position. And yeah, it is, it's really difficult. Like I've still got that drive where I don't want to feel like I'm slowing down. I think sometimes people judge you because of your age, but I still feel fit. I still feel fresh and I still feel like I can compete at this level. So yeah, it is, it is difficult. And I suppose when you're perceive to be the joker of the team, then people just expect you to be in the changing rooms and just dance around and be stupid. And inside you're like, you're probably disappointed that you're not playing, but I think in them moments, that's when you show that you've got to be a good person and be a good character and get round the team.

Jill Scott (25m 48s):

So yeah, I was disappointed not to, not to get on the pitch at the weekend, but I remember waking up that day well, of course I remember it was like two days ago and that would be worrying, but I woke up that day and I said, look, as long as we win today, like that's the whole name of the game and we did. So I was very happy at the end of it.

Sue Anstiss (26m 9s):

You have had a couple of red cards. How does it feel in that moment when that kind of happens on the pitch for you?

Jill Scott (26m 16s):

I've actually only had two red cards where the company will be very surprised that because I suppose I am competitive in a tackle, the first one was against Arsenal and it was a red card. I was captain of the game. I remember, I think Steph's, must've been injured and I think I just probably we were one nail down and probably put too much pressure on myself and just reacted silly. And in a moment I was gutted about that one. I was really gutted, like devastated. And I remember having the England manager who was Mark Samson the next day and just apologised because it was like bad behaviour, but the one that I had got in the Community Shield and a have said this to the referee, I still don't know if it was, it was two yellow cards and I still think it was a bit harsh.

Jill Scott (27m 2s):

So I think with that one, I kind of accepted it a bit more because I dunno, maybe this is me kind of being me, but I didn't think that it was a red. So I was just like, it is what it is. And then I remember walking into the changing rooms and the kit woman followed us down and she was like are you okay. And I was like, yeah, but I couldn't watch the game. I didn't know the score. Obviously sometimes you can hear the crowd. So it's like, if there's a score then, you know, but I couldn't hear anything. So yeah, I was obviously disappointed, but I think I've got over this second one a lot quicker.

Sue Anstiss (27m 35s):

And your colleagues and your coaches talk a lot about you as being the kind of glue that binds the team together. That's kind of really important role that you play. Is that just something that's very natural to you and your personality?

Jill Scott (27m 47s):

Yeah, I think so. I think so. I, you know what, I just love being around people like people just fascinate us and I think I just, that's where I get my energy from. So I don't like spending time on my own. And I think even at school, I was always known as the one that distract people. But yeah, I do like to have a laugh and I think I'm quite good at like sensing how people are feeling. So if somebody is down or something, then I think I can, I can sense that. And probably people think I just drink so much coffee, but I do. I use it as an in to be like, do you want to go for a coffee? Cause I can probably tell that a little conversation might help. And I think over the years, especially in football, I've realized that conversations can help so much., Like I'll tell you a quick story, that me and Karen Carney we went to Loughborough together, we were at England for about five years together and we'll always just team mates.

Jill Scott (28m 41s):

Like some people you, you bond with a lot more than others and I'm remember a moment not being selected and being really upset. And she was the first person I bumped into and she took the time out to speak to us, and that moment now she's like one of my best friends, like, and I think I just realised how much communication can help in certain moments. So I was so grateful for just taking a bit of time out of her day and giving us advice that I think that some experiences that you use and try and help with this.

Sue Anstiss (29m 12s):

That's really interesting. Cause actually Yanks said the same thing about Karen Carney as well. I need to have her on the podcast don't I?.

Jill Scott (29m 18s):

Shes' lovely.

Sue Anstiss (29m 20s):

And clearly, you are fantastic, amazing player. What do you think it is that's made you have such success in terms of your career, how much is about physical ability, do you think, and how much is mental strength and ability too?

Jill Scott (29m 35s):

Mm that's a good question. I think obviously having a natural engine's always helped us and being naturally fit. I think recognising what my weaknesses are and not being afraid to share that and work at them and yeah, mental strength is, is a massive one. I've seen so many players over the years that were technically better than me and probably didn't kind of go on to the levels of say England. And I do think it was probably because of the mental side. So that's why I think it's so important when I talk about communication and stuff like that. I think that can be the difference, sometimes the players that have that mental strength., But then it's probably also about kind of, players going through things and experience like, you can give advice as much as you want say to younger players, whatever, but sometimes they have to make mistakes so that the then think, right, I can't do that this week.

Jill Scott (30m 29s):

I'll say I'm going to play purer on a, on a Sunday. So yeah, I think it's a bit of a everything really. And just being honest, I think being honest, if, if you have another good game, why did you not have a good game? Always looking at yourself first, not blaming other people. And yeah, I'd like to think that just by being a good person as well and working hard, I think that's probably been the main ingredients.

Sue Anstiss (30m 51s):

And you've coached for much of your career. So what is it you think that makes it a great coach in your eyes?

Jill Scott (30m 58s):

Yeah. Everyone keeps saying you're going to be like a main coach when you're older but I see how good I am actually, to be honest, because I've coached a lot of kids and that sometimes can be a lot of tie and shoelaces and toilet trips or I think being a good coach again, when I start my coaching journey, I think it will be about starting from the bottom. So a bit like my football, like you have to, you have to learn and then you have to build your way up. You can't just start at the top because then you've got nothing to really fall back on, but a good coach and understanding the game, knowing how you can help players. And then I've also, I've said this recently actually to, there was an, a couple of coaches in, in sessions where I've just, I've just liked, appreciated the honesty.

Jill Scott (31m 45s):

So maybe the girls have asked them something and they've been like, you know what, let's go away and speak about that in greatereater depth. Because I think sometimes like school teachers get asked something and I think they have to give an answer there and then. And then, but I really appreciate when coaches are honest and go away and solves the problem and just admit that maybe they didn't know in the moment because we're only humans and you don't know everything.

Sue Anstiss (32m 7s):

What's your role now, so you've got this new role for the next couple of years in terms of a bit of a player coach. So what is that role, what does that entail?

Jill Scott (32m 15s):

Well, it's been a bit difficult in the beginning because I'm obviously still playing. So I can't be the coach whilst I'm the sessions, but I've had a few good conversations with like our development manager recently. And I'm going to start going in and doing some sessions with them, obviously under the current restrictions and stuff. It's hard to kind of mix outside your bubble, but I think I've been trying to develop in other ways, like getting access to sessions and stuff like that. But yeah, I think that'd be a good opportunity if I was to maybe work a bit with the under fourteens, under sixteens development girls, because then I feel like I can help them with the pathway into the first team.

Jill Scott (32m 55s):

So I think that will be more so where it kind of lies, but yeah, it's been, it's been difficult at the minute, for example, say this week, they're trained and Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and we came back from Wembley Monday, we've got a game tomorrow and then Friday is the day before the game. So it's, it's trying to find that balance, but yeah, I'm sure I'll be doing a lot more. Well, hopefully soon.

Sue Anstiss (33m 18s):

You talk about, you've mentioned your kind of future. Does it scare you at all to think about that next stage of your career or are you in a very focused on the here and now and playing?

Jill Scott (33m 29s):

Yeah, I do. I do think about it. I do think about it because I know that it will come at some point, of course it will I can't play football forever, but I think it quite excites us as well. Obviously you've always been known as Jill Scott, the footballer, but I do think that like, what else can I do? And like test myself and challenge myself. But I suppose the good thing for me is because I do have a lot of the older girls that I'm still in touch with. I think they'll always be willing to give us advice, like the sort of Laura Bassett and I could speak to Rachel Yankey, Rachel Brown, but yeah, I think it excites us in a way as well, but I haven't got a plan, this person that I just don't seem I only plan for the next day.

Jill Scott (34m 13s):

So I think going to the fact that we've got again tomorrow, so maybe sit down and put a better plan in a place, but I think because in my head, I still feel 18, 19. I just want to keep playing at the minute. And I still believe that I can.

Sue Anstiss (34m 27s):

Well we've obviously potentially got an Olympics, a home Euros and a World Cup in that three year cycle. So how important do you think that could be for the women's football?

Jill Scott (34m 36s):

Oh, it's so important. I think like I touched on before the Olympics, all the sports across the Olympics and how much kind of interest gathers around it. I think if the team can go there and do well, then yeah, the whole national will get onboard with them. And then you speak about a whole new roles. My first tournament I went to was the Euros 2005 in terms of as a supporter. Oh, it was just brilliant. It was like 35, 40,000 people at the Etihad, and this has gone back 15 years. So to think of all the crowds that will be gathered, I just feel like we need to go there and really do something special because it's a massive opportunity. And then you speak about a World Cup.

Jill Scott (35m 17s):

I think everyone's going to get behind the World Cup with being very successful in the last two, obviously a bronze medal and then narrowly missing out on a, on a final in the most recent one. So yeah, it's, it's exciting. And it's so exciting. And then I think at the moment, we're just grateful that we're still playing, especially because of the current situation, but I think the girls are all training hard getting their head down because the next three years is vital to the women's game.

Sue Anstiss (35m 44s):

And it's been a very big year for you, you got engaged, congratulations. You also awarded an MBE as well. So how did it feel to be recognized in that way?

Jill Scott (35m 56s):

Literally the day before I was going to go and pick it up, that's when lockdown happened down. So I kind of keep forgetting about it because I never actually picked it up. So hopefully they are keeping it safe for us, but yeah, it's, it's one of the moments where you have to pinch yourself really. I think it's probably things you'll reflect on a little bit more when, when you, aren't playing but to see the players that I've got them Farah Williams Faye White, players like that I looked up to when I was growing up. So to see my name alongside them at any time makes makes us very proud. And I know the family we're really looking forward to that day. So I think that bought the fascinators and everything.

Jill Scott (36m 38s):

So I was disappointed that I couldn't go and get it. Hopefully they'll still be an invited to the Palace. In terms of my engagement, that was literally a week before lockdown as well. So I reckon if I'd asked after lockdown, when she spent about six months with us, I think the answer might have been no!

Sue Anstiss (36m 55s):

Got in the right time. And when you were growing up, did you ever think that women's football would be where it is today?

Jill Scott (37m 4s):

No. No, not at all. I think I didn't try and look too far ahead and I always speak about my mum when I say this, because she must have thought I was crazy. So I was like, I just want to be a female football. And she was probably thinking the child syndrome. She's a bit crazy. She's off her head. This is not even a career path that exists, I suppose. But the fact that she always back. She never said not to do it. And she just, you know what, the best thing my Mam's done is probably just letting us get on with things, not putting us under pressure. I used to get home, we didn't have to talk about football. It was just kind of back to being a kid. And I think I never thought the game would get to wherever it is now. It's hard because sometimes it just becomes your reality.

Jill Scott (37m 47s):

Like you're just playing football, your work and whatever, and it becomes your reality. But sometimes when you pause and look back, I think we always want more. We always say like, and that's just natural as humans, you get one car and then two years later you want a better car and you always want better. But I think with women's football, we have to sometimes just pause and just be so appreciative to everyone that's been involved. Everone that's drove the game over the years and i think, you know what? We've done it to a certain extent. Yeah. I believe there's so much more to come, but I think a pat on the back sometimes goes a long way.

Sue Anstiss (38m 23s):

Okay. And finally just in terms of girls, young girls, young women kind of coming through now who are starting out their football careers, any advice that you would offer to them?

Jill Scott (38m 33s):

I think probably just don't think that you have to conquer the world at the age of like seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12, I think just go out there, make sure you enjoy it. I think more so for parents, let them enjoy it as well. Don't get too focused on performances and results and drive them because I think that at such a young age that just have to enjoy it. That's all they have to do. Sometimes I do soccer camps and the parents have gone we've had them out for a run at six o'clock this morning and the kid's not going to want to do it by the time they get a 13, 14. So my biggest bit of advice would be enjoy your train. But when you have days off, let them switch off from football goto the cinema see the friends and just let them be kids really.

Jill Scott (39m 16s):

And then for the kids themselves, just if they work hard opportunities will come up, I'm not, I'm not saying that every child out there is going to have the opportunity to play for England, but you learn so much from sport. You, you meet people, you learn how to be gracious in defeat. You learn how to win at things, and I think them things in life have invaluable. So yeah, I think sport's fantastic. And look, it's not always about being the best. It's just about getting the best out of it. So I think that would be my advice. Just, just enjoy it.