Mallaig teenager and Inverness Caledonian Thistle rising star in running for top Scottish women's football award
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TO make it big in football, you need commitment and drive. And, if you happen to live in Mallaig, it also helps to have a committed driver.
Ellie Anderson (18) showed talent for the game from an early age but growing up in the west coast fishing town had its limitations.
Mum Karen’s willingness to escort her on 210-mile round trips for training and matches in Inverness and beyond, three times a week, in all weather and at all hours, has ensured youthful kickabouts with dad and the local boys were not wasted.
Anderson, an athletic midfielder with great vision, has just been shortlisted for the Scottish Women’s Football’s youth player of the year award, for the annual ceremony at Hampden Park on November 25.
It is a huge honour personally, and a first individual listing for Inverness Caley Thistle Women. Anderson, now a lifeguard at Mallaig Leisure Centre, was quick to pay tribute to leading influences in her fledgling career.
“I was really shocked!” she admitted. “The first I knew was when manager Karen Mason phoned on Monday. It is good to know someone, somewhere has watched me play and put me forward. It is also good recognition for the club.
“I just started playing with my dad, Kevin, at a young age, just the two of us. There were kickabouts with the boys in primary school, but no proper team.
“My PE teacher Mr (Ally) Lamont was great in always pushing me to join a team and there was some interest from Caley Thistle, but nothing came of it.
“Then he took a group of us girls to a tournament in Elgin and Ally Munro of ICTWFC must have been impressed as he asked me to come on board.
“I couldn’t do it without mum’s sacrifices in driving me all over the place. She has been incredible. I’m starting to drive now so we can share it, but she still comes everywhere with me.”
Anderson graduated to the first team last season, making a good impact.
“It has been a step up, physically and in the pace of the game, but I’m really enjoying it,” she added. “It can be tough with late nights and long trips, but I really want to make a career in the game.”
