When Jill Scott scored in just three minutes it was in front of her hero David Beckham.
And her goal paved the way to England’s quarter final World Cup triumph against Norway – just as Becks put the midfielder on the path to glory.
Becks, 44, and daughter Harper, seven, met the Lionesses before the game and roared them on from the stands.
To 5ft 11in Jill, 32, nicknamed Crouchy after tall striker Peter Crouch, he is more than just the footballer she met at Wimbledon in 2015. When she was ten she went to see the Man Utd star play at Sunderland and stayed out until 11pm waiting hours to get his autograph.
Her sister Amanda Wilson, 38, said: “My mum was beside herself. Jill adored Becks – and still does.”
Jill showed the strength of her will from an early age. Amanda said: “She hated dresses. She’d scream and refused to wear one after the age of two.
“Mum tried to get her dancing as that’s what you do with girls but she hated it.”
At nine Jill played for Boldon Girls. She moved to Sunderland Centre of Excellence, then to Sunderland, Everton , in 2006, and on to Man City in 2013.
She was still working as a coach and living in the north east when she signed for Everton. So three times a week, she would drive from Gateshead to Liverpool for evening training and back the same night.
Jill, 2011 player of the year, is the ticking heart of coach Phil Neville’s squad.
Amanda said: “She always knew what she wanted. She didn’t go out drinking as a teenager. She was in the gym every day.
“She didn’t even have relationships. All her life has ever been is football.”
She said: “When she scored that goal it was incredible. The plan is to get us all back there for the final.”
When asked about her performance, Neville said: “She was sensational. She can play until she’s 40.”
Amanda said: “She’s always been so funny. Everyone who meets her says she’s the nicest person and still so humble. I have two boys and a girl and they are like her children. I’m so proud of her.”
