But this afternoon, Rachel Daly could be lifting the World Cup for England.
Her late father, Martyn, was a former semi-pro. He helped start the first girls' team at Killinghall Nomads Juniors FC in Harrogate.
It was seeing him and brother Andy practise that inspired Rachel to take up football.
She started in mixed sides but Martyn was determined they should have a girls' team.
He was her biggest fan and was alongside her when the Aston Villa star took her first steps along the road to success.
But he died suddenly in September 2021.
After scoring in the 6-1 World Cup group stage win over China, her heartwarming celebration of kissing a wristband with the word "DAD" on it caused an emotional response.
"When I get on the pitch, it's not just about me performing, it's me performing to make my dad even more proud than he already was," Rachel said.
The versatile 31-year-old, who can play in defence, midfield, and attack, started off at her beloved Leeds United before moving across the Atlantic to join Houston Dash.
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