Sunderland star mixes fashion and footie

May 31 2009 by Mieka Smiles, Sunday Sun

WHILE her friends were playing with dolls a five-year-old Stephanie Bannon was busy honing her football skills with the boys. Fast forward 15 years and it’s clear to see that her dedication to the sport has paid off. MIEKA SMILES chats to the 20-year-old Sunderland skipper about her life on and off the pitch.

WITH her carefully manicured toe nails and flirty girly fringe Stephanie Bannon certainly doesn’t fit the female footballer stereotype.

But when match day comes Stephanie is the first to admit that her passion for fashion and beauty is quickly forgotten . . .

In only her second season as captain of Sunderland Women’s FC Stephanie already has a lot to be proud of, leading her team to an FA Cup final against Arsenal.

And although they were pipped at the post following a 2-1 defeat to the Gunners, Stephanie, who lives with her family in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, still believes the experience was a positive one: “It was something we’d obviously never experienced before. But I think that it was all probably attention that we deserved. It was nice to get recognition for what we have actually achieved.”

The recognition has been a long time coming for Stephanie, who first tied up a pair football boots at just four years old.

“My brother was a goal-keeper and sometimes needed someone to play with,” explains Stephanie.

“I used to play with all of the boys when I was at school as not many girls at the age of seven used to play football!

“Most of the boys just thought that I was one of them but some were a bit embarrassed when I used to get past them.”

Stephanie’s talent was quickly spotted and she was asked to sign for her beloved Sunderland at just nine years old: “A Sunderland foundation coach had come in to do a training session at our primary school – Star of The Sea in Whitley Bay. He asked me to go to trials at the centre of excellence and I got in.”

Between the ages of seven and 13 the young centre half played for Blyth Town.

She then played for the Sunderland reserves for three years before being asked to sign for the first team by the manager: “I haven’t looked back,” says Stephanie.

“All the lads I know now think it’s great and my friends who are girls come to watch us play and enjoy it.”

In a colossal disparity with men’s football women aren’t generally paid to play.

In a recent bid to boost the female national team's hopes of success at major tournaments the Football Association has awarded central contracts to 17 players.

A further three are likely to be added to the roster and, with salaries of £16,000 each.

As she doesn’t get the funding, Stephanie makes ends meet by working part-time in fashion store New Look and aims to become a PE teacher after completing a sports science degree at Northumbria University.

“I think that’s how it’ll always be in women’s football to be honest,” says Stephanie.

“Even though women’s football has grown a lot in the last couple of years I don’t think it will ever be as recognised as men’s football.