Lynn hopes to put women on the ball

Nov 26 2011 by Andy Newport, Paisley Daily Express

A SPORTY Paisley woman is on the lookout for other members of the fairer sex who fancy swapping their stilettos for football studs by signing up for regular kickabouts.

Lynn McInally has just returned to her home town after nine years living in Australia and hopes to pull on her boots again.

During her time Down Under, 43-year-old Lynn was a star player for top female team Maroubra United but is finding it difficult to arrange regular games here in Paisley.

Now she hopes to net the support of other ladies who are game for some fun.

Lynn said: “Guys are always off playing football and I want to find out if there are any girls in the Paisley area who fancy doing the same.

“All it would involve is meeting up once a week, going for a kickabout and then maybe having a beer afterwards, just like the boys do.”

Lynn – who emigrated to Sydney with her joiner husband John – loved her time as an adopted Aussie and enjoyed their sport-obsessed lifestyle.

But she admits she has been left disappointed after her initial attempts to get a regular friendly football game going here in Paisley were shown the red card.

“I used to love playing football when I was a kid and, after I went to Australia, I got involved again,” said Lynn. “Women’s football is massive over there and every club has a ladies team.

“I joined a side while I was out there, played for four or five years and loved it but, since I’ve come back to Paisley, there has been nothing like this.

“I’ve spoken to people at a couple of the five-a-side complexes and they said they tried to start something up for women but found there was no interest. Now I want to give it another try.

“I’m sure there are women out there who would like to get involved if they were given a chance.”

Scotland has produced some world-class stars in women’s football over the years, including Julie Fleeting, who earned more than 100 caps for her country and was a key player for top club side Arsenal Ladies.

Now former kids coach Lynn is urging other women to get in touch with her and insists that complete novices are more than welcome to give the game a go.

She said: “It’s more about having fun, improving your fitness and meeting new people. It won’t be anything serious – just a friendly kickabout.

“I’m not interested in the standard of the girls or even what age they are and I’d be happy to hear from complete beginners. I just want to get a group of girls together who enjoy the game.”

Lynn has no firm arrangements in place for her kickabouts but hopes to confirm plans once she has got a group of willing participants in place.

If you would like to get involved, call Lynn on 07918 875 409.