A MUM-of-four whose work in girls’ football is catching the eye across the region has been recognised by Cheshire FA.

Carla Parker has helped grow the girls’ section at Lymm Rovers JFC from 20 to more than100 players in the past 12 months, leading to her being named the county’s Volunteer Coach of the Year.

The 28-year-old created a girls’ only development academy, with teams from age five to 15, and has worked closely with Liverpool Ladies and Cheshire FA to increase the club’s profile.

“I’m a level two qualified coach and got involved on the boys’ side, but the chairman asked if I could help with the girls as their section was dwindling,” she explained.

“Most people didn’t believe we could do it.”

Parker, who played football in north Wales before moving to Lymm, was nominated an impressive six times for the award.

She added: “The award was a complete shock. Cheshire FA said I’d had six nominations but I don’t know who they are!” added Parker, who has two sons playing in Everton’s academy!

“I always believed it was possible; the girls were standing around watching, eager to play, but they wanted to have their own team.

"Sometimes the boys don’t accept them and the parents can be worse.

“I’ve got some girls players who are out of this world. I wasn’t surprised by how successful it’s been but it took a lot of hard work. There is a team of us, I just had the thought and then they all went along with the mad idea!

“There’s a stigmatisation around girls’ football, disabled football too, but we’ve got teams at ages they normally tend to fall away.”

A Lymm Rovers JFC spokesperson added: “Carla had a vision to grow our girls’ section.

"Many thought she was mad, but she ignored the critics and put every moment she had free into developing the girls’ game.

“Carla never grumbles about any aspect of coaching grassroots.

"She is a role model to these young ladies and the girls have utmost respect for her fun and knowledgeable approach to football.

“Her programmes have been praised by Liverpool Ladies FC and Cheshire FA. She has kept the female players in the game by encouraging FA leadership and refereeing courses.”

Alongside her work with the girls’ section, Parker assists with club fundraising and also coaches two boys’ sides.

But she expects the girls’ section will only become busier next season after England Lionesses’ success at the Women’s World Cup this summer.

“I’ve had a lot of interest with parents emailing and asking if girls as young as three can join,” she said.