Former England and Manchester City midfielder Jill Scott has said she is “absolutely delighted” to be inducted into the Women’s Super League Hall of Fame and to see her name alongside some of her heroes.
Scott joins former Lionesses teammates Ellen White and Anita Asante as the third batch of players inducted into the Hall of Fame, which rolls out in 2021.
The 36-year-old retired from football in August 2022, capping a glittering 18-year career by winning the European Championship crown with England at Wembley.
Previous years have seen Emma Hayes, Eni Aluko, Rachel Yankey and Fara Williams inducted into the Hall of Fame and Scott described her pride at joining some of the most famous names in women’s football.
He said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be honest, over the years I’ve seen Kelly Smith, Rachel Yankey, Karen Carney, players like that come in.
“Just to have your name next to these fantastic players who over the years have really been my heroes – even when we were playing together in England I would wonder why I was with these players at times.
“Then the WSL, it was such a big part of my life. I’ve dedicated my life to this really, getting a result at the weekend was literally everything. It brings back so many good memories packed into this little trophy. I’m really honored.”
Scott began her career with hometown club Sunderland before securing a move to Everton in 2006, where she won the FA Cup in 2010 and spent seven years with the Candies.
The midfielder then moved to Manchester City and won the Continental Cup in his first season, before winning six more domestic trophies with the club, including the WSL title in 2016.
Scott finished her career on loan at Everton and Aston Villa and, a year on from playing time, reflected on the changes she has seen in the top flight of women’s football.
“When I look at the midfielders I used to play with, I was playing top league before it was the WSL, when I was playing with the likes of Katie Chapman, Farrah Williams and players like him, we used to have those battles,” he said. .
“I think that’s when I wanted to pass that baton and bring that competitiveness to the league. I hope that as players who have played in the league before we did that and showed how much it meant to play for our club, no matter who it was.
“Look at where the game is now, I think technically and tactically it’s probably one of the reasons I retired because the level has just gone through the roof! It’s just great to sit here and see where the league is now.”
Scott was at Everton when the Women’s Super League started in 2011 and admitted the sport is a “completely different ball game” to when it first started nearly two decades ago.
“What I’ve loved about this Super League over the years is that the right process has been followed to get better,” said Scott, who made 161 appearances for England – second only to Fara Williams – and scored 27 goals .
“There’s always going to be things that can still be better, that’s why everyone keeps pushing, but where it is now compared to 13 years ago it’s like a completely different game with everything.
“As I say, I’m proud to have played in this league for so many years. Those games, like when I knew we were playing Chelsea or Arsenal at the weekend, I just trained – there was a huge buzz around and it was your life to play in those games.
“I miss that now, but the fact that I can turn on my TV or get a ticket, sometimes, and go to the stadium and watch it, it’s great that we have that access now.”