Flicking down the edge of the bundle with my finger I would glance at the huddle of boys trading the hottest commodity in the playground with a nervousness that was enough to hold me back from even trying to join in.
I could play football, sure, that was the easy part, but could I talk their talk, did I know football? Of course I did. I watched it, I played it, I read the back pages, but it never felt like I belonged. And so, my little stack of swaps remained unswapped, shinies unshared, and my pocket money was depleted as I spent it trying to accrue my missing targets, never completing a book.
When I wanted little gold cannon earrings? I had to spend double, buying two from the Arsenal store as they were only sold individually for boys and men. When I wanted a shirt? It was a boys' small, boys' medium or boys' large shirt that fitted awkwardly on the hips as I edged towards puberty. When I wanted to play Fifa 97? I played as the Arsenal men's team. As a girl, I was excluded from the culture of football as much as I was from playing it.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 12, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 12, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
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Amorim rewarded for keeping faith with his eternal optimist
This was a thrilling, bruising game, and even a very funny one at times.
Amorim's winter warmer
United manager hails side's mentality in thrilling draw
Referee 'not at Premier League level', says Silva
A frustrated Marco Silva, the Fulham manager, described the performance of Darren Bond, the referee, as \"not at Premier League level\" after he opted not to dismiss the Ipswich defender Leif Davis during the sides' 2-2 draw.
Diallo grabs vital point as United step up at Anfield
An evening of some redemption for Manchester United was not without its customary slice of Anfield agony. Thirty seconds remained of a gripping battle when Joshua Zirkzee spurned the chance of hero status among fans who jeered him six days earlier to present Harry Maguire with a clear sight of Alisson's goal.
Fulham toil against strugglers again as Jiménez rescues point
Imagine where Fulham would be if they could see off the strugglers. They averted a rare defeat when Raúl Jiménez converted his second penalty of the afternoon at the start of added time but never did enough to overcome a well-drilled Ipswich.
Isidor proves worth to keep nervy Black Cats in the leading pack
Before kick-off Portsmouth's manager, John Mousinho, suggested all the pressure would be on Sunderland, leaving his players free to relax, improvise and unlock their inner creativity.
Australia make hay in Bumrah's absence to clinch series win
Boland skittles India to set up World Test Championship final against South Africa
Gauff turns tables on Swiatek before Fritz seals trophy for US
Americans defeat Poland to secure United Cup glory as Sabalenka wins Brisbane title
Rybakina speaks out in defence of suspended coach Vukov
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has insisted that her former coach Stefano Vukov did not mistreat her during their coaching partnership after it was revealed that Vukov is under investigation by the Women's Tennis Association.
Rangers drop points on road again despite Igamane treble
Hamza Igamane's hat-trick was not enough to secure victory for Rangers as Rocky Bushiri's late header earned a dramatic 3-3 draw for in-form Hibernian at Easter Road.
