Yesterday, after my very first day of high school👩🏫👨🏫, Mum and I, along with some of our footy friends, went to a brilliant pre-season event hosted by Liverpool FC Women. We had the chance to meet and ask questions to Gareth Taylor, our brand-new head coach, Gemma Bonner, Grace Fisk (who we later found out is our new captain), and Sam Kerr.⚽
It was such an amazing evening and definitely one I will never forget.💭
We all met outside and headed to the venue together. When we arrived, we were greeted by someone very special. It was MIGHTY RED🐦🔥🐦! I hadn’t seen him in what felt like forever, and he looked just as excited to see me as I was to see him. Of course, I got a big cuddle and had a laugh at all his usual silly antics. He always knows how to make people smile.
Inside, we were given the chance to write down questions for the panel. I had already come prepared with a few ideas, but I picked my two favourites to submit.
While I was getting settled in, Mum went off to grab a brew and came back with cookies 🍪 YUM. While we waited for the event to begin, I spotted Heather (who I mentioned before in my blog when I was a mascot). We chatted about our summer holidays and her trip with the Liverpool squad to Ireland for pre-season. One of her highlights was the safari, especially feeding frozen peas to the monkeys. That really made me laugh.
Then something really exciting happened. Natasha Dowie was walking around and chatting to everyone. After speaking to someone behind us, she came over and spoke to me. She actually recognised me (we’d had a picture together before!). We had a proper chat about my blog, how I started writing, and she even mentioned her time playing with Rachel Brown-Finnis at Everton.
After a while, she asked if she could follow me. She handed me her phone (yes, I got to hold THE Natasha Dowie’s phone!), let me type in my account, and followed me on Instagram right there on the spot. I was so happy I cried happy tears🥹. I couldn’t believe it. Someone as incredible as Natasha Dowie following me? It felt like the best moment ever.
Soon after, the Q&A began. Gareth Taylor was first to take the stage. Since he’s new to the club, I wasn’t sure what kind of manager he would be. The host asked some opening questions, and then it was time for fans to ask their own, the hard ones.
One fan asked how he motivates the team after a defeat😟🥺. Gareth explained that he always looks for the positives, focusing on things the players worked on in training that showed up during the match. He said there’s always something positive in every game, and that’s what you build on.
Then I heard my name being called.
I stood up, held the microphone, said hello, and asked my question: What do you think the biggest challenge of the season will be?
There was a pause… and then the whole room clapped.🙌 It felt amazing, they liked my question! Later on, Natasha Dowie even posted on Instagram saying it was the best question of the evening. I felt so proud.
Gareth said one of the biggest challenges would be keeping his emotions balanced. The team needs a coach who is steady and calm, not someone who is up one moment and down the next. He then made everyone laugh by joking that the referees might actually be the biggest challenge this season.😂🤣
Other fans asked about his hopes for the year ahead. Of course, Gareth would love to win a trophy🏆, but he reminded us the league is tough and there are no easy games. Still, he believes that if the team keeps working hard and improving, they’ll grow stronger season after season.
He also talked about how much the fans mean to the club. Even when he was coaching another team, he always noticed how loud and passionate our away support was. Now he wants to create a strong identity for Liverpool Women, one built not just on what happens on the pitch, but also on the values and connections off it.
Listening to him made me feel so much better about the season ahead. He seems to know what he’s doing, and you can tell he really cares about Liverpool. Now I feel excited about what’s to come.
After Gareth’s session, there was a short break. I went to get a drink, and it was so big I honestly thought I was going to spill it.
Then it was time for the players. Grace Fisk, Sam Kerr, and Gemma Bonner (Mum’s favourite) took the stage for their part of the event. Their interview was really funny. The host asked if they enjoyed watching the Euros this summer. Grace and Gemma both said it was incredible to see the Lionesses win again. Sam, being Scottish, said it wasn’t quite as fun for her, but even she admitted it was great for the growth of the sport.
They shared more about their pre-season in Ireland. It was a week of training, learning Gareth’s ideas and style, building team spirit, welcoming new players, and just reconnecting. As a reward for their hard training, they visited a safari park and fed the animals. Sam’s favourite was the meerkats, they even took a special route just so she could see them. When Gemma was asked about her favourite, she said definitely not the rhinos. You really have to see the video of her feeding one. So funny.
What stood out most was how much the players talked about the positive atmosphere in the squad. They spoke about how welcoming everyone is, how strong the friendships are, and how much they enjoy being part of the team. Grace mentioned that strong relationships off the pitch bring great energy onto it. Sam said the people at the club, both players and staff, made her feel truly valued.💕❤️🥰 She even said they helped her fall back in love with football.
Hearing all that made me love this club even more (if that’s even possible).
Last night was such a special experience, and I feel so lucky I got to be part of it. I have a really good feeling about this season. I think something great is coming.
(And just so you know, I didn’t even spill my drink.🫗)
Now I’m counting down the days until Sunday. The first game of the season is a huge one: Liverpool FC Women vs Everton at Anfield. It’s going to be such an exciting match, and I cannot wait to cheer the team on as loudly as I can.
Even better, there are still tickets available. If you want to see this amazing team in action, now’s your chance. Watching them play at Anfield is always special. The atmosphere, the fans, the energy, all make it an experience you’ll never forget. And if you spot me there on Sunday, don’t be shy, give me a wave! 👋
So come along, fill the stadium, and show the team how much we believe in them.
Her Team Her Dream 
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