Alex Scott: Arsenal legend says growth in women’s game has led to less opportunities

Scott retired from football in 2018 to focus on her broadcasting career.

She has worked at men’s and women’s World Cups for the BBC, was the first woman to present Football Focus, and regularly hosts BBC Sport’s Women’s Super League coverage.

Away from football, she has presented The One Show and competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2019.

“I am a different Alex Scott to so many people,” she said. “To young kids I am either Alex Scott the footballer or Alex Scott on Fifa. That is a moment that I haven’t managed to take in – that I am a voice on Fifa as the first female in that role.

“I am Alex Scott who they saw on Strictly when I go in the supermarket and people say they were voting for me every week. Or I am Alex Scott from The One Show or Football Focus. That is the only time when I am like: ‘Woah, they are watching me here and watching me there.’

“From me being on so many different platforms, I am proud that they then have an interest in women’s football. It is bringing in an audience and tying it all together. That is what makes me proud.”

Scott’s induction into the WSL Hall of Fame was celebrated on Monday alongside those of Steph Houghton, Gilly Flaherty and Rebecca Welch.

“I didn’t know the impact I had made when I was stepping in front of the camera and being on TV,” Scott said.

“It wasn’t until a couple of years ago during Covid, I was riding from my mum’s back to my house and there were these two black women on a park bench screaming my name. They said: We watch you on The One Show, we know what you go through, keep going.’

“I’m getting emotional thinking about it, but it was not until that moment, they know all the hate and the abuse, but I am making an impact.

“I am making this a conversation and I am making a young girl sitting at home seeing me on the BBC. Growing up, I never saw anyone like me – that was literally it.

“That moment it hit me, and I was like, right, no matter what keeps coming at me, I know I’m inspiring that young girl to be like: ‘There’s a place for me.”‘