Let’s hear it for the girls

HERE COME THE GIRLS: Ben Lawson (left, assistant manager), Mia Welsh, Millie Bradley and Wayne Kennedy (manager),of Failsworth Dynamos under-12s.

YOUTH FOOTBALL: 

GIRL power is aiding Fails-worth Dynamos under-12s.

Millie Bradley and Mia Welsh are starring in the Tameside Sunday League after an appeal to the Football Association for the pair to play alongside the boys.

Rules state that girls can’t play 11-a-side football with boys when they reach 12.

However, the FA are currently holding trials in some parts of England and Wales with age level at 14.

Dynamos, when learning of this, pleaded with the game’s governing body in this country to extend it to the Tameside Sunday League.

The appeal was successful after an official saw at first hand the girls, who both attend Failsworth School, in action.

Kerry Fannon, mum of Millie and who runs Dynamos’ under-12s girls team and the open age side, said: “A representative from the FA watched one of our games and was more concerned about the boys getting injured.

“Millie is physically stronger than most of her team-mates. She has also played with the same set of lads since she was six, so there is no conflict there, while Mia has played for the last three years and is well-respected.

“The opposition are also used to the girls by now after playing against them up through the age levels.

“Some of the parents still can’t believe it when they first see the girls in action. I’ve heard them talking on the touchline. They think it’s going to be easy, but they soon change their minds.”

Millie, who plays in midfield or as a striker, won the Tameside and District Junior League player of the year award last season, beating the boys to the title.

Team-mate Mia plays in midfield and is a regular on match-days and at midweek training sessions.

Under-12s coach Wayne Kennedy said: “Millie is a strong player. Wherever we are struggling, in defence, midfield or up front, she’ll help out, and she’s even good in goal.

“Mia is a creative midfielder, who scores goals and is a good tackler. She is smaller than Millie, but is never intimidated by the boys.”