When Cambridge City player Fran Steele sat down to speak to 90min, it was a Tuesday evening and she had just returned home from a GP placement as part of her medical degree.
It gave an instant snapshot of just how busy her life is, combining a career in the FA Women’s National League – the third and fourth tiers on the English league ladder – with studying at the University of Cambridge and even captaining the university football team.
Most people would wilt under the pressure of juggling so much. But Steele, a former England youth international at various age groups, thrives instead.
“It’s difficult. I’m not saying it’s easy or I don’t get stressed. I’m not saying I sometimes think I need to give something up. I’d be kidding myself,” she admits. “But it’s a matter of using it as fuel and motivation. I do thrive off being busy and having a routine.”
Steele even goes as far to say that her football, although taking up a lot of time, actually helps.
“I love exercise,” she explains. “It’s a social, physical and mental thing, gives me endorphins. I think I’m more productive when I do exercise and playing a team sport. I couldn’t say I’d do much better at medicine if I didn’t play. Ultimately I am more productive [because of football].”
Steele began her football career at the age of five just playing at grassroots level for her local village team. But in attending to a football camp in the school holidays to keep her occupied so that her mum could go to work, the youngster was spotted by a scout involved with Ipswich.
She played with Ipswich girls until the age of 14 and was called up to England’s youth setup. A move to Arsenal then came about when the Centre of Excellence at Ipswich closed, successfully trialling with the Gunners to join their Under-17 team alongside future Lionesses captain Leah Williamson.
Steele would also go on to play for Arsenal at Under-19 and reserve team levels, before deciding to apply for college in the United States, where she attended the prestigious Yale University for four years and played collegiate soccer at the same time.
It is a relatively common path for young English players to take, with the sporting facilities and mentality at American universities usually tantamount to a professional setup. The likes of Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and several newer emerging WSL players have taken that path.
Some players attend scouting camps, but Steele took it upon herself to get to America.
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