"If you can't see it, you can't dream it"

Jill Scott's football journey started at eight years old, in the stands at Sunderland with her grandad, then replaying every moment in her own games the next day. What she did not have were books with players like her in them.

Here, she reflects on why that matters, what makes a child's first experience of a matchday so important, and the message she would give to any young reader just starting out in the game.

What was it about The Things' Football Adventures that made you want to be involved in the project?

I’ve always loved children’s books, and I think it’s great that there’s a children’s book series dedicated to women’s football. It means kids can get to know the football teams through familiar characters that they already love. I think books are so special, and having something physical that you can always keep to remind you of your childhood is priceless.  

You’ve spoken about not always seeing footballers like yourself in the books you read growing up. Why do projects like this matter for children today?

These books show us star players, from scoring goals to saving shots, and I think they give kids the opportunity to learn their names and love the players as well as the teams. 

Many fans fall in love with football at a young age. What are some of your earliest memories of becoming a football fan?

Some of my earliest memories of falling in love with football are going to Sunderland matches with my grandad from the age of eight, and then trying to replicate those moments in my own games the next day. 

Back then, it was the men’s matches I watched, but now kids can watch both the men’s and women’s game and have role models from both. It’s great to see. 

The first story centres around Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion. What do you think makes football clubs such an important part of a child's community and identity?

I think that first experience is so important, and if a child has a great one, they’ll want to keep coming back. 

The women’s game has such a friendly atmosphere and is a place where you can feel safe, which is so important for children and for creating a sense of belonging. That’s all driven by the clubs and the matchday experience. 

You’ve seen women's football grow enormously over the years. What excites you most about the next generation of young fans coming into the game?

Exactly that, more fans. It excites me so much to see full stadiums and even traffic building up on matchdays, all because young kids want to go and see their favourite players. 

British Gas and the Barclays WSL want to inspire more children to discover women's football. Why is it important to create new ways for young people to engage with the sport beyond matchdays?

I think keeping them interested is so important, and again, it’s about that sense of belonging. If there are more things for them to do centred around a passion they love, they’ll meet more people, make more friends, and we all know how important communication is, especially for the younger generation. 

Every club in the league will feature across the book series. Why do you think it's important that every fan can see their club represented in stories like these?

It’s important that women’s football doesn’t create massive gaps. We don’t want people only following the top teams, it needs to be all teams. This is why I’m so happy the books are showing all the players and all the teams. It’s so important. 

Finally, what would your message be to a young reader who picks up this book and is just starting their football journey?

Sit back, relax and enjoy the story, and think, maybe one day that could be you, going from sitting in the stands with your family to scoring a goal on the pitch in the WSL. Dream big, kids! 

In one sentence, what do you hope the future of women's football looks like for today’s children?

A safe environment where there are no barriers to falling in love with the best game in the world!