Seven league titles.. and it all started with jumpers for goalposts
When Jo Love was kicking a ball about with her friends and using jumpers for goalposts, she never dreamed that one day she would become one of the country’s top female footballers.
But she’s come a long way from playing on the streets of Ayrshire, having helped Glasgow City win seven of their 11 league titles and represented Scotland a staggering 185 times. Now she’s hoping to inspire the next generation as the South West region ambassador for the Scottish FA’s Girls’ Soccer Centres, which are presented by sponsors SSE. Jo, 32, said: “Most of the kids in my street were boys so my interest in football really just started that way. “When I was younger, we would put the jumpers down for goalposts and someone would go in goals and we’d kick the ball around. “I started off playing with the primary school team, which was a mixed team, then I joined Largs Girls. “When I signed for Kilmarnock, my first senior team, it really opened up my eyes to the opportunities because, until then, I’d been happy enough plodding along and playing football with my friends.” Jo, who works as a consumer protection analyst as well as playing football at the top level, was thrilled to get involved with the Soccer Centres. She added: “The SFA approached me last year and I just think it’s such a good initiative to try to get kids involved. “They are for different age groups and all levels of football and they’re really good fun. “If girls have got an inkling that they want to play football, then it’s a good place to start. The coaches are top notch. “When I was younger, there weren’t these kind of opportunities around so it’s great for those involved to be able to play with like- minded girls. “There’s not really a much better feeling than being out in the sunshine and kicking a ball around with your friends. “I really think the SFA and SWF are trying to put the women’s game in the spotlight more. “Everyone is working a lot on and off the pitch to try to make Scottish women’s football as successful as it can be. “It’s also great to have a sponsor on board like SSE and we can’t really thank them enough.” The midfielder is no stranger to winning silverware and, thanks to our brilliant competition, one young reader will know how it feels to be a winner too. As well as designing the trophy that will be presented to the triumphant team at this year’s SSE Scottish Women’s Cup final on November 4, the lucky youngster will also enjoy hospitality at the match and receive £ 1000 worth of sports kit for their school. Jo said: “Whoever wins the cup, it’ll be something they will remember for the rest of their lives. “Hopefully it’ll be the same for the kid who wins the competition. “I’ve got a Blue Peter badge and I think winning this competition would be right up there with a Blue Peter badge!”