AFC Bournemouth women’s star Maisy Smith said it was a great feeling to inspire the next generation, as she gets set to walk out once again at Vitality Stadium.
The 27-year-old, who has been with the Cherries since 2018, is set to be part of Steve Cuss’s squad to take on Keynsham Town Ladies at the stadium on Sunday.
Smith has started in both games against Portishead Town and Charlton at the venue this season.
She netted the opener in against Portishead in November, as the Cherries went on to seal a 4-0 victory in front of an attendance of 6,805.
And the Cherries defender is excited to make more memories when Bristol-based Keynsham come to town.
She told afcb.co.uk: “I’ve played quite a few games at the Vitality Stadium now but I just remember how exciting it was when we first managed to get a game on there and how nice that was.
“Now the club give us these opportunities two or three times a season. It’s so nice and it just goes to show it’s heading in the right direction.
“The club are so supportive of us and it’s so nice that some of these youngsters can get out and play at the Vitality. It’s lovely playing there, it’s such a great atmosphere and it gets us going.
“We get a good crowd come along at the Vitality. We break records almost every time we play there.
“Seeing that rise is good, everyone wanting your autograph and pictures after is nice.
“It’s a great feeling, inspiring these girls and how big football has got now, it’s just incredible and it’s incredible to see it heading in the right direction.
“It’s bizarre. To think when I first started at Bournemouth we played down at Ferndown and there was a few parents stood on the side – to going to play at the Vitality in front of 6,000 people.
“It really is surreal but it’s lovely. I love it.”
You can book your tickets and select your seat for the game here.
