Former Manchester City star and England Lioness legend Jill Scott will make an appearance at Wembley in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup final - but this year it will be among the masses.
Both Manchester United and Chelsea are gunning for the domestic double, going head-to-head on Sunday for a chance to lift the most prestigious trophy in English football.
Should the Blues win, it will be the fifth FA Cup win for Chelsea and a chance to defend last year's title having brought home the silverware back in 2015, 2018, 2021 and of course 2022, while it is the first appearance for Manchester United, and their debutant year is in front of a sold-out crowd.
An England icon and FA Cup winner herself, Scott will be among the crowds this year, but she's yet to let slip where her allegiances will lie.
”Being at Wembley and seeing all the crowds, it just makes me smile so much," Scott told Mirror Football. "I think the girls deserve it. I remember talking about it to Keira Walsh going into the Euros and I remember saying to her ‘I'm just so happy that everybody's gonna see what we've been seeing for years’ and I feel like that's what's happened.
“It makes me so happy obviously for the girls, and I’m still good friends with them. I spoke to a couple [of players] before the FA Cup this weekend and I know they're just dead excited and just want to get out there and play.
“I'm excited that I'm gonna be there as a fan. I can't tell you which team I'll support.” Scott let out a laugh before admitting: “It's really difficult for me because I've got a lot of friends on both teams. So for me, I'm like, if they get through the game with no injuries then it will be great and an exciting game.
“But honestly, I'm just looking forward to an exciting game for the crowd."
Throughout her career, Scott won the FA Cup with both Everton and Manchester City and has also been on the losing side at Wembley. While she's now happily retired, Scott hopes the magic of the FA Cup could be the spark to ignite some new-found love for the game among fans.
“I just think sports are incredible," she added. "It's been an absolute honour to play at the highest level but just what it gives young kids the freedom to go out and enjoy the game that we all love.
“If you've got one fan turning up at the FA Cup for the first time and suddenly they want to play football... Well, that's the beauty of sport.”
The Lioness hero will also be leading out the England XI for Soccer Aid as she captains the side for the very first time. Tickets for Soccer Aid For UNICEF on Sunday 11th June 2023 at Old Trafford, are on sale via www.socceraid.org.uk/tickets with a family of four able to attend for just £60 — two adults and two children
