Scotland star Lucy won’t let 9-0 defeat get her down

Oct 8 2008 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

NORMALLY a 9-0 humbling in a football match would be a soul destroying experience, an event that you would want to consign to history as quickly as possible.

But not so Lucy Clark, captain of Motherwell Girls under-17 football team, who has been through that exact “ordeal” when turning out for Scotland under-15s against Germany recently.

“Yes we got hammered but it was probably one of the best games I have played in just to see what you can aspire to,” Lucy told the Wishaw Press this week.

“They were a different class to us to be honest but it was really good,” she added.

It was Lucy’s sixth appearance in national colours having taken over as captain of her club’s under-17 side this season even though she is still only 15.

The girls faired better against Russia, losing 3-1 before racking up a victory against Norway 3-2 in the friendly tournament hosted by the Germans last month.

Lucy continued: “It’s a really good feeling just to know that you are playing for your country and there were younger children watching and looking up to us.

“It felt quite important putting on that Scotland jersey as they say.”

The star striker is determined to make a go of it as a footballer at the highest level possible having been inspired by her childhood heroes in Claret and Amber.

She said: “I went to Motherwell games with my dad and that is when I started playing, training once a week and playing at the weekends for a boys team – gradually getting better I suppose.

“I would like to go to America and get a scholarship and see where it takes me and obviously keep trying to get in the national squads.”

Despite being just 15, her coach at Motherwell Girls Football Club, Angie Wilson, had no hesitation making her skipper of the club’s under-17 side saying: “Lucy shows all the qualities needed in a captain and is not afraid to speak out when necessary and always offers vocal encouragement to other players.

“She has a positive influence on the other players and a never-say-die attitude whilst on the park.”

Lucy is not the only promising youngster that is being nurtured at the girls club with her fellow teammate Emily Thomson recently having turned out for the Scotland under-17 side.

Angie added: “There are a lot of very talented young girls playing in the younger age groups and the future is looking very promising for Motherwell.”