Brooklyn leading a football march from Ilfracombe to the top

The whole world is talking about football, who will win the Euros, when will England start performing, is Gareth Southgate up to the job?  The pathway to the very top of the game begins in humble grassroots and we have a special talent blossoming in North Devon.

Brooklyn Brothers is a 14 year-old football star from Ilfracombe, who has progressed to become captain of the Devon County FA U14 Girls, as well as representing Plymouth Argyle and the Ilfracombe Academy boys’ team.

Last year, the gifted centre-midfielder was selected for the FA Women’s England Talent Pathway Top Talent Programme and she lists Arsenal star Bukayo Saka as a football hero.

“I started playing on a boys’ team when I was three, as there weren't any girls’ teams where I live,” said Brooklyn. “It was sad when we split into two teams, as I was always the last one to be chosen.

“When we played against other teams, I did not get as much time on the pitch as the others, some of the boys told me I was not good enough, which was difficult, but I kept going. I wanted to prove them wrong and so I started to do extra training on my own and set challenges for myself and worked really hard.

“By the time I was 11, I had become a better player and the boys started to include me more, I gained a lot of respect and was chosen to be captain of the team when I was 12. My team-mates are my best friends now and they know now that girls can be as good, or better than, boys at football.”

Brooklyn has embraced every aspect of the football life, including a little boost from Lucozade, while also spending time with her mum, dad and sister, plus the family dog Oscar.

As well as football, she loves visiting Woolacombe beach and training at Ilfracombe Rugby Club. It is a story forged in North Devon that is now expanding to the national arena.

“I think nutrition is the most important thing, as eating the right food affects my performance on the pitch and also my day-to-day life,” she said.

“Also, a daily exercise routine helps me to improve a little bit each day and keeping a positive mindset helps me deal with any problems on or off the pitch. And most important is sleep, to help my body to recover and prepare for the next day.

“I was delighted to be selected to join the FA Women’s England Talent Pathway Top Talent Programme and invited to a Regional Talent Event for the South of England. The pathway prepares and helps players to be future Lionesses and play for England one day, which is my goal.

“My proudest moment was playing for Devon in the England Schools Football Association National Finals at Stoke City Bet365 Stadium and being on television for all my family and friends to watch live.”

Playing on the frontline of grassroots football in North Devon, Brooklyn has plenty of ideas to help improve the local game, as well as advice for youngsters about to start their own sporting journeys.

“There aren't any public football pitches with goals to train on where I live, and there aren't any public astro pitches either, so when it rains, we aren't allowed to play on the grass as the mud is too deep and it ruins the pitch,” said Brooklyn. “So, I wish we had public football pitches with goals.

“I always thought as long as I had a football it was a cheap sport to play but to become a really good player and play for teams like Devon County and Plymouth Argyle, we need to travel a long way every week to train and play games.

“My dream is to become a professional footballer and without my parents this would not be possible, as they have to drive me from Ilfracombe to Plymouth, Ivybridge and Newton Abbot to train and play games twice a week, which is about eight hours in the car every week, and they have to spend a lot of money on petrol.

“My Mum and Dad work really hard to pay for everything and I am grateful. We have tried to get local businesses to sponsor me and help pay for some of the costs but it has been difficult. We have been lucky to get a few sponsors and I want to thank the Torrington Rotary Club and also Honey Wood Orchards for helping to pay for some of our petrol and football club fees.

“We will try again in September to get more sponsors for next season, so I can continue to play for these clubs and follow my dream to become a professional footballer and play for England one day!

“I regret thinking I wasn't good enough when I was younger, I now believe I can do anything I put my mind to and succeed with hard work and dedication.

“I help train the Under 7s and Under 9s girls' teams in Ilfracombe and I love sharing my journey with them, I tell them that anything is possible if they love football but most important is to have fun and enjoy it. I tell them to encourage and praise each other and when they fail, they have to get back up and try again. I also tell them to follow their dreams no matter what they want to do when they grow up.”