Jessica Greenwood dons county kit

Jessica Greenwood who now plays football for Lancashire

Jessica Greenwood has reached her goal after completing a series of trials to secure a place on the Lancashire county football team.

Jessica, 14, a Year 9 student at Whitworth Community High School, had previously unsuccessfully tried out for the county team but her PE teacher at Whitworth Will Cawley knew she had potential.

Jessica said: “If my teacher had not put me in for the trials I wouldn’t have gone because I was disappointed when I didn’t get through before.

“I went to the first trial and there were 70 girls. Then I was waiting for an email to see if I had got through. When I didn’t get one, but friends of mine had, I contacted them only to find they had the wrong address.

“I got through the first trial and then had we had show our technical abilities before playing an 11-a-side game where you were substituted to all the different positions. I managed to head a goal and was able to set a goal up for another player.

“Then I got an email inviting me back for a third trial and there were 30 of us for just 19 places.

“I didn’t think I would get through because when I was playing the football match I didn’t know the other players in the team. I just decided to give it my best and then I got an email to say I was in.”

Jessica said she was even more delighted for her father Tony, because he has been her biggest supporter and always encouraged her not to see football as a game just for boys.

“I want to play football seriously,” said Jessica. “I watched the women’s World Cup and people are changing their opinion on women’s football.

“I get frustrated when people say it is a lads’ game because it is a sport for everyone.”

Jessica has previously trialled for England, and now the selectors are scouting at the county matches she is hoping to get spotted.

As well as playing for Lancashire, Jessica will continue to play for Burnley Girls U15s.