Sue went through a warm up that she does with England Ladies and then really tested the girls’ ball skills with some fun and innovative drills.

Sue said: ‘I thought the day was excellent, the girls commitment and dedication was a pleasure to see! It was nice to see so many girls enjoying football and being successful at it!’

The event took months of planning by Liskeard coaches Ian Woodhouse and Adam Sibley to get such a huge star to grace the pitch and provide so much inspiration for the girls.

Adam said: ‘It was such an amazing night to have arguably the biggest name in ladies football here at Liskeard. I can’t imagine there are many other youth teams in the South West that have had an England player turn up at their training session.’

It was another mark of success for a team which until recently was battling to survive. Two years ago Adam and Ian struggled each week to field enough players to play a game but now there are three teams going into next season – an Under 12, Under 14 and Under 15 team – with a total of nearly 30 girls playing football. Their efforts were rewarded by the Under 12s winning the County Championship last season.

She said: ‘I admire how Adam and Ian have progressed from six girls up to the amount that turned up to the event.’

At the end of the evening she answered questions and even signed autographs and posed for photos.

Adam said: ‘Liskeard Junior Football Club can’t thank Sue enough for what she has done for the club and the inspiration she has passed on to so many of our stars of tomorrow. The evening just went to show how far girls football has come in Liskeard.’

Photographs by David Potham

To support the service user they provide a range of services to meet their differing needs, including supported living, supported housing, residential care, community and home support, floating support, extra-care and day services.

On Saturday 28 staff and service user teams competed for the trophy at the Powerleague Soccerdome in Trafford Manchester.

It was a really great event and I was delighted to be asked to attend. Football really brings everyone together and that is always great to see.

As Minehead was the host town the organisers invited local teams to enter from under 7 to under 14 for both boys and girls. Minehead U7, 8,9,10,11* & 12 teams entered including a girls team.

Minehead Youth Chairman Mathew Thresher Commented “The club is grateful to Football Festivals and Butlins for yet again bringing such a spectacle to West Somerset.
“As well as giving local teams the opportunity to play competitive football this event brings a boost to the local economy”

Mr Thresher continued: “It was also great to see so many Minehead Youth players enjoying the weekend, many of whom were experiencing their first festivals. They are a credit to the club and make the hard work worthwhile.

The girls are aged from 12- 17 and come from all over the borough. They represent 8 schools and colleges between them and rehearse once  a week at the New Kershaw Centre in Bury. They are coached by Liz Norris.

Liz works for Bury Youth Service, as Bury East’s Area youth worker . Part of this role includes promoting positive activities for young people to participate in.

Even though Sue was injured and was unable to take part fully she grateful to learn some new dance moves “I really had a fun day with all the Cheerleading team, this is something I may have to  take up after my playing days are over” she said with a big smile.