Chelsea and Scotland midfielder Erin Cuthbert on her boys’ club beginnings, the night Scotland qualified for the World Cup and why she lives in the moment.
“IfIcouldbottlethatfeelingupandjusttakeitoutwhenI’mhavingahardday,Ihonestlywould.”Erin Cuthbert
Do you remember your first club, coach, or grassroots match?
My first team was Girdle Toll Boys Club. I remember playing in the park, walking five minutes down to the pitch, it was right next to my primary school. So yeah, just playing there. The black and red striped kit, I still remember it, and just, you know, not having a care in the world and just enjoying football, enjoying the game.
I remember the first time when I went down to trial. I think everybody looked at me like, "Oh, there's a girl playing.” And then, obviously, I started training, and then I think they were in a little bit of shock, which was good because it's the first time I had joined a club, so I don't know what level I'm at.
I'd only ever been used to playing in the park and at my Papa's house. We used to play so much when he was here, so yeah, we had great memories and then I went to CrossHouse Boys Club and started winning some trophies, and I got my first taste for eleven a side.
I was under a really good manager who nurtured me, cared for me, didn't care if I was a boy or a girl. He just treated me the same, and you know, I love that. You don't need to talk too much or be over the top. You just need to treat me like one of the lads, like everybody else. I remember, I got a two-foot tackle against me by somebody in the opposition team, and all the boys just went for that boy, and I just thought, you know what? They always have my back, and I still remember that moment.
That's fantastic. And what was the coach's name?
[Brian] Robbie Garrick. My dad actually coached me when I was at Girdle Town, so that was fun. I cannae shout out my dad.
You can shout out whoever you want!
Well, shout out dad for the beginning, and then shout out Robbie [Brian] Garrick.
And do you remember the first match you watched live on TV?
EC: No, but I do remember a women's match that I watched, I think it was an FA Cup final. I cannae remember, right, this is really bad. I'm gonna have to draft Carly [Carly Telford] in, I need to draft you in. What was that FA Cup final that you played in on the telly when I was a kid? And I was like, I sent you that message. Do you remember?
Carly Telford: It was Leeds vs Arsenal 2000 and…
EC: It was the game that I remember. Carly pulled off a sick save, and I ended up tweeting, tweeting her like ‘cool save’! You can dig it out. And now she’s ended up my best mate. So yeah, great story. But that was the first time I remember women's football being on the TV.
Is there a small moment, so not like a trophy or a goal that really kind of sticks out for you?
The feeling of qualifying for the World Cup, it wasn't a trophy, but it was more of a milestone, a moment of sheer euphoria. We didn't know what had happened in the other game. We didn't know the Switzerland score, and when the subs ran on the pitch, you can still dig out the video… we start jumping, going crazy. I've got my hands on my mouth, like it's sheer disbelief what had actually happened, and it actually makes me emotional thinking about it. Because if I could bottle that feeling up and just take it out when I'm having a hard day, I honestly would because I think that is truly the best feeling in my life, so far. Nothing has come close yet.
You might already have this moment, but is there a moment you'd like to go back and experience again?
The World Cup, the night out, the party was absolutely mental. If you ask any Scot how that party went down, it was pretty fun.
Were you in Scotland?
No, we were in Albania. We had an unbelievable night. We were singing and dancing all night long.
Is there a song that instantly takes you back to a memory?
I'm feeling it, by Sunset Bros. It was a song that I got the girls into when Rangers went on a Europa League run to the final in 2023, and it's a song that we started playing before we went out [at Chelsea], and we won the title that year. We won the FA Cup that year, and I remember as soon as the full-time whistle went, we got back in the changing room at Wembley. Song came on, and everyone was going absolutely mental. So yeah, that one.
There's quite a lot of connections between Rangers and Chelsea, aren't there?
Yeah, there is a lot more than I thought. I mean, it wasn't a consideration when I joined the club, but yeah, definitely more than I thought. Like it’s the sort of true blues and everything. Even when I went to the Europa League final with Rangers, it was like Chelsea badges on some of the flags.
And what was the first foreign country you visited? Did you have a favourite place there?
I definitely went to Spain and I went to the Dominican Republic. My mum and dad loved the Caribbean. I remember the resorts, and the food was amazing. And I loved it, like the children's entertainment that they had at the time. I used to do all of the games and get my wee medal. So I would say that.
That's where your winning mentality began?
Yeah, too right, must be actually, makes sense!
Who's the first person you call when you have big life news?
My mum and dad. I just cannae wait to blurt it out to them. I mean, we speak on the phone every day, so they wouldn't be shocked when they see my name come up.
And who's influenced your life the most?
Difficult to say. I think my mom and dad have been obviously the biggest influences, but all in different ways. My Papa took me through early childhood, footballing-wise. Taught me like my maths times tables. Taught me everything I know education-wise. And then my dad carried that baton of coaching me, having that mix between coach and father, which is sometimes a difficult blend to find, but he managed to find it really well. And then my mum was always cooking me dinner, and you know, kit off at the door, and doing all the washing, and being my emotional support, and you know, we just have such a laugh together. So I feel like they're all quite influential in different ways.
And what's the kindest thing that somebody's ever done for you?
I was on crutches over the summer, and just the amount of strangers that were willing to help me get upstairs, help me with bags. When I was at the airport, I think the unwavering amount of support that you feel when you're actually injured surprised me a little bit. That people are just so kind and willing to help strangers.
And who makes you laugh the hardest?
Abigail Harrison, my best friend. Yeah, she's an absolute joker. She's always cracking jokes and making me laugh and just so much fun. Like whenever we have a phone call, I leave feeling so positive and energized because she brings just such good energy and she's a person that whoever would meet her would absolutely love her. So yeah, my type of person.
And which place makes you feel like home the most outside of your own?
Being at Chelsea, having been here for so long, [it] sort of feels like home away from home, and I'm so familiar with all the surroundings, the people, even like some of the kitchen staff who I've worked with for so many years now. So yeah, it's always a pleasure to come into work here every day.
And have you ever had a moment that's completely changed your perspective on life?
There are certain things that happen like, you know, there's accidents or you lose loved ones quite close to you that makes you think we need to appreciate the here and now. It makes you pause for a minute and think, we are so lucky to be having these moments together now, and we have to enjoy them while we can, and for as long as we can, and as much as we can.
And what's the biggest risk you've ever taken?
Starting a business, actually, having no real business experience. I have a business degree, but no real-world experience, and just taking a leap of faith and hoping it does well. But yeah, it's scary. I don't mind playing football in front of thousands of people but if you asked me about starting a business, it makes me a bit nervous.
And what's the best advice you've ever been given?
Just enjoy it while you can. Your career is so short, and it's gone before you know it. So live in every moment.
What excites you most about the future?
The unknown. I like that everything's not mapped out for me, and there's so much more that I'm going to learn, and people I'm going to meet, and experiences that I'm going to have that I don't quite know about yet. So I think not knowing, there's a sort of beauty and simplicity in that.
