Character: Abbie McPhee

I’m in the Pevantsea media room with Abbie McPhee, Captain of Pevantsea Women. Hi Abbie! Good to see you again after the summer break. How’s the preparation for the new season?

Hi Arun. It’s all good, thanks. Can’t wait to get started.

The mood seems positive since Cam and Alfonso arrived?

Yeh, they are shaking things up a bit, which is what we needed. They’re being careful not to bring too many changes at once though. They’re introducing new ideas a step at a time.

Sounds an exciting time to be a Beachcomber?

Absolutely, yes.

So you’ve been with the team nearly 4 years and as captain since last season. Tell us a bit about how you came here from Glasgow in your native Scotland. Football wasn’t your only sport?

That’s right. I was competing at nationals-level in judo as a teenager. Then I got into kickboxing in a big way. Football was always part of my life though.

Did you have to choose in the end?

I’d say football chose me really. It’s the only sport that offers a career but there weren’t the opportunities to go professional in Scotland at that time. I hadn’t even thought about it but some friends we’re saying things were progressing fast in England. A scout put me in touch with Pevantsea ‘cos they were looking for a versatile defender.

Then you moved away from your family for the first time?

Yes. To be honest, I’d said yes to the contract before I’d even looked up the town on a map. I had no idea it was so far south.

Hahaha! So I have some questions here from fans.

Fire away.

What track are you listening to the most lately on your phone.

Lately it’s Chet Baker, I Get Along Without You Very Well.

Oh I know that song! It’s amazing! That’s a real break-up tune though.

Haha, no comment!

Ok, next question. What’s your ideal holiday?

Um, rock climbing definitely. Can’t do that just now though due to the insurance restrictions on players.

Who were your football role models growing up?

I didn’t see football much on TV, to be honest. Our family is close but we’re half blue and half green…

Glasgow Rangers and Celtic?

Yes. So mum never let us watch football in the house. Dad took me to see a couple of old firm games at Rangers. The rivalry was something else… yeh intense!

Were you aware of any female players?

Not as a youngster. When I came to Pevantsea they said I needed to check out the top players in my positions. I learned a lot watching Gilly Flaherty and Anita Sante and I really admire the Dutch defenders van der Gragt and Spitse.

Do you use your martial arts skills in your defensive play?

Haha! Have you seen me put a tackle in?

Well indeed! We’ll take that as a yes then. Next question, are you studying as well as playing?

I finished my Business degree last year thankfully. No more essays!

Lastly, what would you like to do after football?

Go back to Glasgow and help the league develop there. Hopefully my Business studies would come in handy.