Young Crowland footballer Georgia Cross dreams of following in Lionesses’ footsteps after signing with Peterborough United
Young footballer Georgia Cross is hoping to one day follow in the footsteps of the Lionesses after earning a place at Peterborough United’s academy.
The eight-year-old defender is now part of the Posh set-up, after impressing at recent trials.
“We’re very excited. It’s a bit surreal to be honest,” said mum Natalie.
Crowland youngster Georgia, whose dad Darren used to play semi-pro football for Stamford and Yaxley, is a sporty girl but soon showed a passion for the beautiful game after beginning kicking a ball in the garden aged three.
“She’s always had an interest in sport and we just thought it was a bit of a phase, but we put her in the soccer school that started up in Crowland,” Natalie added.
“But she showed a real talent from then on and she’s just progressed and developed.
“She’s very competitive girl and always likes to win, so we were unsure about putting her in a team as we didn’t know how she would take it. But she’s just come on so much more.”
Georgia, a pupil at Crowland’s South View school whose favourite player is Manchester United’s Ella Toone, was ‘nervous but excited’ before completing her first match for the Posh, but remains adamant she wants to one day pull on an England shirt.
“She keeps telling her friends she’ll get them tickets to watch her play when she’s playing for the Lionesses and her friends are loving the inspiration,” Natalie said.
“It’s great they’ve got the Lionesses to look up to.”
“It’s a fantastic time for girls football and it’s great to see so many girls enjoying it and going for it.
“She has been watching the ladies’ World Cup and a lot of boys’ games as well. She’s always rooting for the defenders as that’s the position she plays.”
Georgia began her journey at the Crowland Soccer School run by Liam Rigg and progressing to a mixed Crowland Juniors team.
She then moved on to join coach Cliff Barrett at Deeping United Reds before catching the eye at Peterborough.
Georgia also enjoys athletics, running and swimming, and has been sponsored at the Posh Academy by Pinchbeck’s Billie’s Fins Swim School.
