Her Team Her Dream

The day I found out I was going to be a match day mascot was honestly the most magical day EVER! Me and Mum were just chatting away when she looked at her phone and suddenly went super quiet... her eyes went HUGE. Then she read it out loud to me. I couldn’t believe it – I started crying happy tears!🥹 I was going to be a mascot for Liverpool FC Women... AT ANFIELD... and for the DERBY!!!🤯🥳

Three weeks later, the big day finally came! I woke up super early, leapt out of bed like a rocket and zoomed around the house like a whirlwind🌪️ ( a ginger one). I couldn’t stay still – I was the mascot TODAY!!!

Mum, Dad and I got to Anfield early (of course – Mum always makes sure we’re early🙄). We had loads of time to get pics of me outside the stadium and at the Paisley Gates. Then we went to the main square, where there was a brilliant drum band playing – me and Mum had a boogie! 🎶

There were loads of fun activities too! First, we got photos with these cool cardboard cut-outs of some of the players – it looked like I was actually part of the team! Then I took part in a penalty shootout against a cardboard Rachael Laws... and guess what? I SCORED! ⚽️

We bumped into some of our football friends and had a good chat. Cath asked how excited I was (answer: VERY!). We also saw Natasha Dowie, but she was super busy meeting fans, so we didn’t go over. (Did you know she ran the London Marathon last week?! How cool is that?)

Then it was time to head to the mascot entrance. Everyone was so nice and they said I might be the most excited mascot EVER! I even got a special wristband which meant I could go to the post-match meet and greet – YES!! Karen, the amazing lady who organised my mascot day, took us to a fancy lounge. I met some of the other mascots and even got a certificate (it went STRAIGHT on my wall when I got home – but I’m also going to use it in a collage of my day once SATs are over!).

There were yummy snacks and little cakes, and this really nice lady who was serving the food said I had awesome cake-picking-up skills. I felt like a cake ninja! 🍰🥷🏻

While we were relaxing, I got to chat to Karen for a little bit. I’d written down some questions because I really wanted to ask her about her job and how she helps make such amazing experiences happen… but when the moment came, I got a bit shy. She seemed super busy, always making sure everything was running smoothly, and I didn’t want to bother her. I wish I’d been brave enough to ask her my questions – or even just ask for a photo with her – because she was such a big part of making my day so special. I felt really lucky that she still took the time to talk to me even with everything going on. I hope I get to see her again one day and tell her properly how thankful I am.

Then this lovely lady called Heather came over and chatted to me about my website! I couldn’t believe it, someone who actually works for Liverpool FC Women talking to me about something I made! She said she used to write a blog too, which I thought was SO COOL! Like, she once did something just like I’m doing now, and now she has a proper job working for the actual team! It made me feel like maybe one day I could do something like that too – how amazing would that be?

Heather’s job is making sure the first team players are where they need to be and have everything they need, like planning their travel and schedules and making sure things run smoothly. Dad said she must be super organised, and I totally agree! It sounded like a really hard job, but also really exciting. I felt so special that she made time to come and talk to me, especially when she must have had loads to do. She was kind, interested in what I had made, and so inspiring. It really meant a lot to me and made me feel proud of my blog.🩷

Then there was a big commotion at the door and guess who it was… MIGHTY RED!!! I forgot all about my cake and ran straight over for a cuddle. Emma, who looks after Mighty Red, recognised me and called me a VIP!! Mighty Red looked SO happy to see me, flapping his wings and bouncing around. He always makes me feel special. ❤️

Not long after that, it was time for parents to say goodbye. I gave Mum and Dad a hug, then all the mascots sat together to chat and make friends. I made sure to be kind to the one Everton mascot – it must have felt scary for her being with a bunch of Liverpool fans! One of the other mascots looked a bit nervous, so I started talking to her to help her feel better. She told me she was Gemma Bonner’s niece and that she LOVES playing football with her aunty. How cool is that?!

Then it was time to go! We lined up and started walking through Anfield. We saw the players’ car park and where the away team coach parks. Then we went to the tunnel to wait for the players. The Liverpool players were a bit late (I found out later it was because there was a special goodbye for players who were leaving – Micah, Daniels, Fahey and Matthews – I was a bit sad about that).

We were all lined up when the players finally arrived… and I got to walk out with SOPHIE ROMAN HAUG!!! She’s our top goal scorer AND one of my dad’s favourites! She was so nice – she asked my name and even said she liked it! 😄

Then “You’ll Never Walk Alone” started playing and we walked out onto the pitch. I suddenly felt super nervous – there were thousands of people watching! But Sophie talked to me and helped me feel calm. She pointed out things and made sure I took it all in. We shook hands with the Everton players, and then I was taken to sit with Mum and Dad (in different seats than we usually have).

The match kicked off, and in the 7th minute... Everton scored 😞. But we didn’t give up! Everyone played their hearts out – Holland chased everything, Roman Haug kept trying to score, Bonner was running and defending so well, and Smith was literally EVERYWHERE on the pitch. But we just couldn’t get the ball in the net.

At half-time, Dad and I went for snacks, and when we came back, Grandma, Uncle Joe, Cousin Eddie, and Willem came over from our usual seats to chat. It was their first time watching Liverpool Women (except Willem) and I think they LOVED it!

The second half started and WOW – the Liverpool players came out with even more fire than before! You could tell they were giving it everything. They worked their boots off, chasing every ball, passing fast, pushing and pushing to get that goal we all wanted. But then... in the 69th minute... Everton managed a sneaky bit of possession and scored their second goal. BOO!! 😠

Even though that happened, we didn't give up. Not the players, not the fans, no one! We all kept believing, cheering, hoping. Liverpool totally made us proud. They played so brilliantly. In the 81st minute, one of the Everton players got sent off, so they were down to 10, but by then there wasn’t enough time left to turn things around. 😢

It’s such a shame we didn’t score because Liverpool totally deserved a goal (or three!) with how hard they worked. I was sad they lost, but honestly? I was just so proud. They were amazing.

After the final whistle, Karen came to collect us mascots and took us to the meet and greet area at the side of the pitch. I had brought my Liverpool flag with me so I could get it signed, I held onto it tight while we waited. The players started their lap of honour, clapping and waving to thank all the fans for coming to support them. We clapped them right back, loud and proud!

Then they came over to meet us, and it was SO COOL! I got autographs from loads of the players on my flag and even got to take pictures with most of them. And guess what? Sophie Roman Haug stopped to chat with me again! I got to thank her properly for walking out with me – she’s the best!

I’d made a special thank-you card for Niamh Fahey because she’s retiring, and I got to give it to her in person,  that made me really happy. I also made a card for Teagan Micah, but she was a bit further away, so I gave it to another player to pass on. I really hope she liked it.

Oh, and this is probably my favourite bit – I made matching bracelets for Olivia Smith and Mia Enderby. When I gave Olivia hers, her face LIT UP! She looked so happy and even called Mia over to give her the matching one too! That made me feel so special. 💖

It was honestly the best day ever. Even though we didn’t win the match, I’ll never forget how special it felt to be a mascot at Anfield, meeting the players, walking out with Sophie, and getting to cheer on my team. I felt like part of something really important, like I was part of the Liverpool Women’s family 👩🏽‍👩🏼‍👧🏼 . Everyone was so kind and friendly, and I’ll remember it forever. I can’t wait to keep supporting the team. Being part of this amazing day made me feel proud, happy, and really, really lucky. YNWA ❤️🥅🐦⚽