Manchester City and Lioness legend Jill Scott took a fond trip down memory lane as she reminisced in the car via the ‘Show on the Road’ podcast. Scott, and host Alex Legouix, drove through Manchester to spark somewhat forgotten memories in the footballer's journey.
The European winning star spoke about her early roots, what it was like meeting football royalty David Beckham, and taking actual Royalty, Prince William, clean out while playing football, among other tales.
Scott said: “I've done a few podcasts recently, but like this has brought out different stories because as we're driving around, it does really jog your memory. Manchester will always be a very special place to me because there's so many memories here.”
The 36-year-old said: “Mine and Prince William’s paths crossed a few times through football. The first one being we were opening a pitch up in Sunderland and I accidentally slipped and wiped him out. So he always remembered me for that girl that took him out while I was playing football.
“Growing up I was obsessed with David Beckham,” she continued. “He was probably the most famous footballer out there, and he signed every single autograph. He stayed out there after an England game for hours.
“And I always said if I ever got in the position, if anybody ever asks for my autograph, I'll stay till that last minute and sign them all because I think it's so important. If you can put a smile on someone's face just by scribbling your name on a piece of paper like David Beckham did for me that day, and it's one of my most vivid childhood memory, to think that I might be able to give a child even 10% of that, then I think it's just such an important thing to do.”
Scott spent nine years in a Blue shirt, from 2013-22 and adored life in the city: “In my first two years at Manchester City, I fell in love with the game all over again. I really did….I was like: I'm settled. I'm living in Manchester. It just felt professional and I was just buzzing that I was a full-time footballer…I'm still grateful for every opportunity I get now.
“I always believe that if you don't try and cut corners, if you treat people right in your day-to-day life you kind of just create your own luck along the way. It's great that I've represented England over 150 times. It's a massive honour for me, but I also think that if I give a hundred percent, wherever I get to, I'll have no regrets.”
She even offers some advice to up-and-coming youngsters in the game: “I learned to surround myself with people who would give you constructive criticism. That was really wanting the best for you. So over the years I felt like there were great managers who really pushed me, but really had my best needs at heart. And I think that's the biggest thing.
“There are a lot of younger players now who rely on social media for their validation. It's quite a sad world to live in sometimes. Whereas I think your coaches and your teammates are the most important people really.”
