Age (D.O.B): 16 (05/09/1994)
Team(s): Hull Centre of Excellence and Northern Ireland under 17’s
Position: Centre Midfield
Team Supporter: Manchester United
 

Favourite Player(s): Carlos Tevez – I admire his work rate, he never gives up.
David Beckham – He is a pure master at work, his set pieces, final ball and vision is amazing
Eric Cantona – Although I’m too young to have seen him play, I have seen many videos of him playing. His technical ability and  confidence was unreal.

Occupation: Year 11 student at Hornsea School currently studying for my GCSE’s. I Referee (under 6’s, 7’s, 8’s and 9’s) and Coach too, (I run my very own Girls under 12’s team alongside my dad) I'm Qualified FA Level 1

Hobbies: Well the obvious one is football, football freestyle and martial arts.
Football runs in my family: My dad played for Nottingham Forest when he was younger but suffered an injury that ended his career before it had kicked off professionally. My brother coaches for Scunthorpe United Boys football Academy.
Even my dog has got in on the act after all he is named after a United Legend Ollie – Short for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer!

Best attributes as a player: My ability to read the game/game understanding and my tackling.
Biggest influence: My family has played a massive part but I have to say my coach Sammie Leigh has helped me progress as a player a lot over the years – She is a LEGEND (Thanks a lot Sammie!).

Ambitions: To play at the highest level possible in women’s football and enjoy every minute of it.

Memorable moments: Playing football in front of Sir Geoff Hurst, Wearing the Northern Ireland Training Kit for the first time as an official player, been called up to the primary school boys team first girl in 70 years to achieve it and scoring 17 goals in 3, 20 minute games (at this current time £5 per goal scored was my reward ... I never did get that £85. (Tsk! Ha ha. - SK ED))

Extra info: I first started playing football competitively with a local Boys team but as we grew older players and parents couldn’t accept a girl being a member of the squad. I was picked out at a “premier soccer” football course at 8 years old where I was told by the head coach that I was to be the next female David Beckham (We shall see , fingers crossed). (Had there been one before you?! Hee hee - SK Ed)

When I was unable to play with the boy’s team my dad (FA level 2) created Driffield Vixens. A year later that Driffield Vixens took the East Riding Girls league by storm, unbeaten throughout. During this season I picked up the title Golden Boot Girl scoring 36 goals in around 15 games.

At the age of 9, I was selected for Hull City Centre of excellence more commonly known as Hull College Centre of Excellence and have progressed there ever since.

Special Thanks: I would like to say thanks to my wonderful mum, dad and brother for helping me and in most cases putting up with my constant football , all the ‘taxis’ to training, all the kit washing and just the general support. To my Nan & Granddad and Granddad + all other family and friends who’ve always stood by me. You know who you are!!
School in particular Mr Callaway a.k.a Big C (best form tutor ever) , Mr Lawrence (Head teacher), Miss Stamp and Miss Smith (PE teachers) , Mr Costigan, Mrs Salisbury and Mr Knapton ( for helping me to maintain my academics and allowing me to focus a lot of my time to Football) + too many teachers and staff to thank you all individually. All my coaches past, present and future!!
All the staff and girls within the Northern Ireland , especially Alfie Wylie, Niall Curneen, Alison Nicholl for making me feel so welcome and at home , as well as giving me the opportunity within the squad.

Right that’s everything you need to know, i have a very busy 2011 ahead of me and i hope to keep you updated with it all along the way... if you would like to be updated even more you can follow me on twitter @laurenasquith

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