AFC Bournemouth
As a football fan, Rich Cooper should know to keep his eye on the ball.
With daughter Lucy in such prolific form for the AFC Bournemouth women’s team, dad would not want to miss seeing her score a goal-of-the-month contender.
But that’s exactly what happened at Potterne Park last month when Lucy completed the scoring with a stunning strike in a 4-0 win over Poole Town.
“I was absolutely fuming!” laughed Lucy, whose finely-taken effort saw her win the Strategic Solutions-sponsored February goal of the month, the second women’s player to land the award this season.
“I was desperate to score and the clock was ticking towards the 90th minute. I went through and my shot hit the back of the net.
“I looked over to where my dad was standing and he looked at me as if to say ‘what’s just happened?’
“I asked him at the end of the game what he was doing and he said he was on his phone because he’d just received a message. By the time he looked up, the ball was in the net.
“He missed the goal but I’ve been showing him it every morning ever since!”
Lucy has enjoyed a whirlwind breakthrough season with the women’s team, a remarkable achievement considering she was not allowed to play for them until she turned 16 in October last year.
The Parkstone Grammar School pupil has been on the club’s books since the women’s and girls’ teams were formed six years ago, progressing through the ranks from the under-12s to the National League.
She has been the top goalscorer every season in each age group and has netted 14 times in as many games since stepping up into the development squad and Steve Cuss’s first team.
“The set up here is amazing,” said Lucy. “The club is inclusive and there are no boundaries between the men’s and women’s teams.
“Everything they did for us on International Women’s Day was incredible. It was great to see Jaidon Anthony running out with my name on the back of his warm-up shirt. Things like that go a massive way for us because we can see we are getting that acknowledgment.
“I was counting down the days until my 16th birthday. This is my second season in the under-16s but Steve invited me to start training with the first team in pre-season. When I turned 16, I was ready and raring to go.
“I knew it would be a big step going from under-16s to women’s football. It’s a different style of football, most of the girls were new to me and there were a lot of new experiences for me.
“I just went in with the mentality that I wanted to work hard, try my best and learn from the other players. It’s different but I love it, it’s been incredible.
“I’ve always had dreams to be the best I can. I watch the Women’s Super League and see these players living the dream that I want to live. I look at them and think that’s what I want to be in the future. I don’t know where my boundaries are yet but I’m going to keep pushing until I find them.”
Lucy has represented England Schools at under-15 level, attending a five-day training camp and playing two games in Holland.
She is currently studying for her GCSEs, something which has been a source of amusement among her team-mates.
Lucy said: “Travelling to an away game a few weeks ago, I took my revision on the coach. I was sitting at the front making notes and they were all at the back laughing at me!
“I’m hoping to stay on at school and do A-levels in biology, psychology and PE, three very sport-orientated A-levels. I also hope to go to university.
“I’m really into sport psychology and the mental side of football because I think it goes unnoticed a lot. I think it’s just as important as the physical side so I’d love to go into sports psychology or sports science.
“The group of girls here are amazing and they welcomed me immediately. It could have been intimidating because I was a lot younger. I can’t thank them enough for the support they have given me, especially the older players.
“The feedback from the people in my position and the experiences they have shared down to me have been incredible and I’ve absolutely loved it.”
Asked whether she had any footballing idols, Lucy replied: “I’ve always liked Lionel Messi. I know it’s the stereotypical answer but his was the first shirt I had.
“I’ve always loved Steph Houghton. She’s a centre-back and I’m a centre-forward so it doesn’t really link, but her leadership and the way she plays inspire me.
“I know it might sound a bit cheesy but, at the moment, I really look up to the first-team players here – I’m trying to get some brownie points!
“I look at the likes of Becki Bath, Katie James and Jade Bradley. They all play similar positions to me and they are my role models because they are the players I aspire to be like.”
Dad Rich was a keen amateur footballer, while cousin Ben Cooper was a scholar at AFC Bournemouth and now plays in the Wessex League with New Milton Town.
“My dad has always been my coach and I’ve always looked up to him,” added Lucy. “I’ve never really been the player to score good-looking goals and my dad says I’m like Gary Lineker – always in the right place at the right time.
“I knew from when I first started playing that I wanted to be the one who scores the goals. I’m fortunate to play with good people around me who support and assist me.
“At the start of the season, my only expectation was to get a bit of game-time here and there. To score in some of the games we’ve played this season has been totally unexpected.”
A keen Cherries supporter, Lucy and her team-mates will get the chance to play at Vitality Stadium on Sunday 10th April when they host National League rivals Chesham United.
“We’re all counting down the days and are so excited to be playing on the main pitch,” said Lucy. “It’s the perfect opportunity for people to see some top-class and competitive women’s football. We need to win to have a chance of promotion.
“This is another excellent example of how inclusive this club is and it would be great to see as many people there as possible.”
Hopefully, Rich Cooper will leave his phone at home!
Click here for details of how to buy tickets for the National League game against Chesham United next month.
Main picture shows Rich Cooper with Lucy Cooper holding the Strategic Solutions goal of the month award for February.
