Interview: Getting to know Sunderland AFC Ladies midfielder Georgia Gibson!

RR: Tell us little about yourself...

GG: I play centre mid, anywhere in the middle! I’m 21 years old.

I started played football for my local village team at the age of 6/7, only because my brother went! I then lived in Dubai for nearly 10 years so I played most of my football there in an academy. After returning I went on to play for Gateshead college, the SAFC Ladies development team and now I’m at Northumbria University.

RR: Who was the player, or players, you looked up to most growing up, and why?

GG: I loved watching Ryan Giggs for Manchester United. I wouldn’t say there was a specific player - I would just watch any and every game when I was young, it wouldn’t matter who was playing!

RR: Proudest moment of your career so far?

GG: Tough question. I’d say representing England Colleges and making my SAFC ladies first team debut when they were in the top division.

RR: Which current women's player would you like to emulate in the future?

GG: Lucy Staniforth. It was great being around her for a couple of years at Sunderland. The hard work and dedication she has put in has got her really far, achieving her England debut and playing in the World Cup.

RR: Best game you’ve ever been involved in?

GG: Playing in my college and Uni finals are always good - any final is a must win game so it’s amazing when everyone is up for it.

RR: Who is your best friend in the Sunderland AFC Ladies squad?

GG: Mollie Lambert - we’ve played in midfield together for a while. We get on well both on and off the pitch, and have the same rubbish craic!

RR: The best thing about playing for SAFC Ladies?

GG: It’s great to represent a team that has done so much and produced so much talent in the women’s game. Being able to step on the pitch with your close friends and do something you love doing... playing under one of the best coaches in the women’s game, Mel Reay - she’s great, and I learn so much.

RR: Which team did you support growing up?

GG: I’ve always supported Newcastle growing up, going to the games with my twin brother and dad.

RR: What is the one change you’d like to see in the women’s game over the next 10 years?

GG: Over the next 10 years I would love to see more credibility in the women’s game. The amount of hard work, effort and time we put into football, juggling commitments with playing can often be time consuming and stressful, but we get on with it because we love playing.

Want to keep up with Sunderland Ladies and Georgia Gibson?

You can follow them both at @SAFCLadies and @georgiagibson7