"My mum is not overly happy with the fact that she will miss my moment of glory but I think on balance she is happy with the way things are working out for me."

"I studied a BTEC National Diploma in Sports Studies for two years and then continued for another two years to gain a Higher National Certificate (HNC). From this I acquired a Higher National Diploma (HND) and finally a Diploma of Higher Education in Sport, Health and Exercise, before moving onto my final year of BSc degree study at the Faculty of Science and Technology at Anglia Ruskin University's campus in Chelmsford. During the time I was studying, I was combining playing with lecturing at the college - and coaching autistic and disabled students at the same time. This was a hugely rewarding and life-enriching experience.

"While I was studying at Chelmsford during my final year, I was assisted by excellent teaching staff at the Institute of Health and Social Care who helped me to work on my dissertation on The Femininity Deficit - Women in Sport.

"I am very fortunate that I was able to participate in learning at a very high level while playing the sport I love. If I couldn't play football I don't know what I would do. It is my passion. I couldn't work in an office. I have to be outdoors.

"It helps to know how things work both on and off the pitch. My degree certainly gives me an advantage in this respect."

"It is a giant leap to move from being a student to where I am today. When I recently attended A&E after breaking my nose in a game, the admissions nurse asked me what I did for a living - it was a surreal moment. I thought about saying student before volunteering the fact that I was actually a professional footballer!"