3 Review(s)

The inspiring story of how a girl from Watford became the greatest player in England's history and one of the biggest stars in world football. She has been called the best player in the world. She has been called the Zinedine Zidane of the women's game. She has scored more goals for England than any other player in history. Yet since she was old enough to kick a ball, Kelly Smith has had to battle every step of the way to play the game she loves. Girls were not welcome when Kelly first started out, practising for hours to hone her sublime skills, but after outshining all the boys in the teams she played in, she became a pioneer for English women's football. A teenage sensation and the nation's first professional footballer, Kelly was soon a star, a genius with the ball at her feet, but a series of injuries led to periods of depression and then alcoholism as she struggled to cope without the sport. As she nears the end of her glittering career, Kelly now tells the heartfelt story of her triumphs and tragedies, of how she beat her demons to put England on the world football map. It is a tale of overcoming prejudice to live your dream, and of how it feels and what it means to be a woman at the very top of her game. About the Author Kelly Smith was born in Watford on October 29, 1978 and started playing football at the age of six. Prevented from playing in mixed teams by jealous parents, she eventually found a girls side and was soon spotted by American scouts who offered her a university scholarship. By 17, she was already a striker for Arsenal Ladies and an England international. In 1999, Kelly became England's first ever women's professional footballer and played for Philadelphia Charge in the WUSA before returning home to win every honour in the domestic game with Arsenal, including their sensational quadruple in 2007 when they became champions of Europe. She was named Player of the Year for the second year in a row in 2007 and awarded an MBE in 2008. Kelly has scored a record 43 goals in more than 100 appearances for her country, helping England to the final of the European Championships in 2009 and the quarterfinals of the World Cup in 2007. She currently plays her club football for Boston Breakers in the USA.