Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Georgia fulfils Chelsea dream
Football
A schoolgirl from Herne Bay has signed her first professional football contract with none other than Chelsea FC.
Georgia Legge, 16, has been playing football since she was five and now the childhood Blues fan is in the reserves after signing her first contract.
The central defender started off at her local team – Herne Bay Harriers – and then joined Herne Bay Youth FC.
She signed for Charlton Athletic when she was nine and played for them for two years.
Playing for Charlton against Chelsea in a youth match, she was asked to go for a trial with the Blues.
Her father Chris Legge said: “As a Chelsea fan it’s been her dream since she started playing at five.
“What’s made it extra special is the way in which she has overcome injuries to get there, as she was concerned they may hold her back but her determination and talent has been a key factor in Chelsea working closely with her to ensure she fulfils her potential. “She has always been a natural – even at five she was better than all the boys. “She regularly won players’ player / manager’s player of the year awards throughout her time in the boys’ teams at Herne Bay Harriers and Youth.
“She has been a versatile player.”
Georgia has battled to overcome serious injuries, with the support of the CFC medical team and departing Blues legend John Terry (pictured).
Chris said: “He (Terry) and Frank Lampard have been her footballing heroes, so to not only get her chance to meet both but for John Terry to take her under his wing and regularly follow her progress and support her though her injuries has been amazing.”
As a pupil of Herne Bay High School after joining Chelsea aged 11, Georgia has represented them for five years in their Centre of Excellence youth set-up as well as being selected for several England training camps.
Ge o rgi a ha s many aspirations but is thinking more short term.
Chr i s said: “Whi l e professional football is her dream, she is still concentrating on her studies at Herne Bay High School.
“She is doing GCSES now and will go on to do A-levels for the next two years balancing study with Chelsea training.
“She wants to go on to university and study physiotherapy so she has something sport-related to fall back on but the overall goal is to become a professional footballer with Chelsea.”