Latest / The PCR Sports Show / The PCR Sports Show - Friday 6th March 2026 - with Jess Stanford and Sophie Harris from Peterborough United Women

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The PCR Sports Show - Friday 6th March 2026 - with Jess Stanford and Sophie Harris from Peterborough United Women · The PCR Sports Show

0:16
Welcome to PCR Sports Good evening and welcome to the PCR
0:20
Sports Show here on PCR FM for the start of your sporting
0:25
weekend. And as always on our show every
0:28
Friday between 6:00 and 7:00, we aim to shine a light on the
0:32
local clubs, athletes and volunteers who keep our local
0:35
sporting community thriving. And tonight is no different.
0:39
We're going to be talking to Jess Stamford and Sophie Harris
0:44
from Peterborough United Women, all about women's football and
0:48
especially the club who are very much on a high at the moment.
0:52
And we'll be playing at London Road on Sunday against Worcester
0:56
City, which is a 2:00 PM kick off.
0:58
And we'll be getting more information about that game and
1:01
how the girls got into football and how they've progressed their
1:04
careers so far very shortly. But first, as always, let's
1:08
cover off your local sporting headlines this week with DIPAM.
1:11
Thank you Nilesh, good evening all and here are your local
1:13
sporting headlines this evening on PCR Sports.
1:17
The neat Derby between Northampton Town and Peter
1:19
United ended in A11 draw at Sixfield Stadium last Saturday.
1:23
The Cobblers LED just before half time but Jimmy J Morgan
1:26
equalised in the 52nd minute for the Posh.
1:29
Both sides pushed for a winner but neither could find a
1:31
breakthrough. The Posh are now next in action
1:33
away at late nor at next Saturday after this weekend's
1:36
scheduled home match against Port Vale was postponed due to
1:39
Wales FA Cup commitments. Peter United Women fixture at
1:43
Sheffield United Sheffield FC was postponed due to waterlogged
1:46
pitch last Sunday Attention now turns to a big match against
1:49
Worcester City at the Western Home Stadium this Sunday at 2:00
1:52
PM as the club celebrates International Women's Day.
1:55
And more about this coming up in the show so stay tuned.
1:58
Peter of Sports suffered A3 nil home defeat to South Shields at
2:02
Pyms Park last Saturday and hosts Southport tomorrow before
2:05
travelling to Kidderminster on Tuesday evening.
2:08
Following the defeat, the club announced a management change
2:10
with Phil Brown moving upstairs to a Director of Football role
2:14
while former manager Michael Gash takes charge for the first
2:16
of the first team in ice hockey. Peter of Phantom suffered a
2:20
difficult weekend in the NIHL, losing back-to-back games.
2:24
The City side will beat an 8 three away at Milton Keynes
2:26
Lightning before slipping to a narrow 54 home defeat against
2:30
Telford Tigers at Planet Ice. The Phantoms will look to bounce
2:33
back this weekend with a trip to Hull Seahawks on Saturday before
2:36
returning home to face Swindon Wildcats on Sunday evening with
2:39
a face off at 5:30. In hockey here is the City of
2:43
Peterborough Hockey Club roundup from Dave Simpson.
2:46
It was another busy weekend for for us with seven wins, 2 draws
2:50
and five defeats across the teams.
2:52
The men's first were narrowly beaten 21 home by League Leaders
2:55
League in the feisty contest. Matt Porter gave City the lead
2:58
early on but two quick goals in the final minutes saw league
3:01
snatch the win. City now travelled to 2nd place
3:04
Oxford Hawks next weekend. This weekend big one.
3:08
There was much better news for the Women's First who produced a
3:11
superb 12 nil 12 nil victory away at St.
3:13
Neots. City now host Ipswich next
3:15
weekend this weekend knowing a win could secure the league
3:18
title with two games to spare. Elsewhere there were wins for
3:23
the men's seconds, 46 sevens and eights, while the women's
3:26
seconds and fours both earned draws.
3:28
And on Sunday the City Under 16 boys produced a dramatic
3:31
comeback to reach the semi finals with Tier 2 National
3:34
Plate trading three nil away Saffron Walden.
3:37
They fought back to level the match which then went to
3:39
Penney's Shuffles where goalkeeper Bradley Smith made
3:42
crucial save to secure a memorable victory in cricket.
3:46
Mark Indiping, cricketer and friend of the show Nick Andrews
3:48
is celebrating World Cup success with England Over 70s side.
3:52
The all rounder helped England beat Australia by 15 runs in a
3:55
thrilling final at the Hagley Oval to win the Over 70s Cricket
3:59
World Cup. England posted an impressive 288
4:01
for three from 45 overs before restricting Australia to 273 for
4:06
five. Andrews contributed with the
4:08
ball, taking one for 45 from 8 overs.
4:10
The victory makes Andrews a double World Cup winner after
4:13
England also lifted the inaugural title in 2024.
4:17
During the tournament he also played key roles in big wins
4:19
over United States, the Rest of the World and the Rest of the
4:21
World side, taking two wickets in the latter and producing
4:24
economical bowling throughout the competition.
4:27
England's successful tour Down Under also produced a three nil
4:30
silver Ashes series whitewasher over Australia.
4:33
You can listen to an exclusive interview with Nick on our PCR
4:35
Sports YouTube channel. Staying with cricket?
4:39
A historic moment for the Peterborough Town Girls Cricket
4:41
in the Hunts Youth Indoor League this weekend.
4:44
Tenara Magdala took the first ever hat trick for Peterborough
4:48
Town Girls team during the cup victory over Market Deeping.
4:50
Young bowler who was only who has only been with the club for
4:53
over here just about a year, struck with her first wicket
4:56
bowl before the next two batters were caught behind by
4:59
wicketkeeper Yoshara Moodley who herself has only just started
5:01
playing cricket in the autumn. The performance helped
5:04
Peterborough Town Girls secure a dramatic 4 run win and book
5:07
their place in Sunday's cup semi finals.
5:11
Elsewhere, Market Deeping beat Hampton by 29 runs in the final
5:14
league match of the season, while Ramsey defeated
5:16
Peterborough Town by 21 runs in the opening round of the cup.
5:20
God Manchester Town, who had already sealed the title league
5:23
title, were formally presented with the Hunts Huge Youth Indoor
5:26
League trophy before going on to beat Ketton Sports by 93 runs.
5:30
The competition now moves into the finals day this Sunday with
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Ramsey facing Hampton in the first semi final and
5:35
Peterborough Town Girls taking on God Manchester Town for a
5:38
place in the final and finishing off with Athletics.
5:43
The Swansea Harriers athlete crossed the line in in the 36.
5:47
Sorry. The Swansea Harriers athlete
5:49
crossed the line in 36 minutes and two seconds, securing his
5:51
final in his second local race win of the year after success at
5:55
the Folks with 15 back in January.
5:57
Peter and Neen Valley A Athletic Club runner Zach Stevens
6:01
finished finished third in 38 minutes and 40 seconds while
6:04
teammate Ben Hewitt placed 39th. Paul Larkins was the club's
6:08
third finisher and 1st over the 60 home, first over 60 home in
6:12
the time of 46 minutes and 39 seconds in the Aldol.
6:17
In the Aldol 20 mile Road race, Pan Vax Thomas Carlton produced
6:21
an excellent run to finish in two hours and one minute and and
6:24
27 seconds with the club mate Oliver Mason placing 11th.
6:28
Yaxley runner Luke Cosi finished 18th.
6:30
The race the race itself was won by Nick Bennett of Dundee Rd.
6:33
Runners in one hour 56 and 39 seconds.
6:38
Yaxley Runners rounded off their Frostbite League campaign with
6:40
another strong performance on Sunday.
6:42
The team finished third in the final race of series at Jubilee
6:46
Park. The results secured 3rd place
6:48
overall in the Winter league standings for Yaxley, finishing
6:50
behind Cambridge and Coleridge Athletics Club and Hunts
6:53
Athletic Club. There was double goal success
6:56
for a young Peterborough athlete at the weekend.
6:58
Elsie Morgan from Panvac won two under 15 spring titles at the
7:02
Eastern Indoor Championships at Leigh Valley Athletic Centre.
7:05
She claimed 60 meters title on Saturday in a new personal best
7:08
of 7.98 seconds before returning on Sunday to win the 200 meters
7:13
in 20 no of 25.38 seconds. There was more success for the
7:17
club as Sean O'Donnell set a new personal best of 21.78 seconds
7:22
while winning the the under 2200 metres.
7:25
And meanwhile further afield, Pandvax Brian Cawley's completed
7:29
the famous Tokyo Marathon in an impressive 2 hours 49 minutes
7:33
and 40 seconds, while Martin Stevens of Wellington Joggers
7:37
finished in a time of three hours, 6 minutes and 4 seconds.
7:41
And those are your news headlines.
7:43
Back to Nilesh. Cheers Japan, thank you very
7:45
much. Lots going on once again in the
7:47
local sporting scene, but the highlights got to be Nick
7:49
Andrews and winning back-to-back World Cups with the England Over
7:53
70s. Absolutely incredible.
7:55
As you know, we spoke to Nick on the show before he departed for
7:58
the trip and he was so excited about going and, and you know,
8:01
really enthusiastic having won the the first tournament in
8:04
2024. They've gone back and retained
8:06
the World Cup, retained the Ashes as well.
8:09
It's just been complete domination by the England over
8:12
70 side which has been brilliant.
8:13
Yeah, it's great to see and bearing in mind they had some
8:15
injuries that Nick was telling us about when we chatted to him
8:18
last weekend, it's quite an achievement as well to go down
8:22
under and win back-to-back competitions.
8:25
It is, yeah, exactly. You know, first and foremost
8:27
it's, you know, there's always, you know, dare I say age-related
8:31
fatigue from travelling that distance.
8:32
There's a time difference between here and there, so
8:35
they've had to climatise played the Ashes tour, which in itself
8:38
is probably demanding, before the World Cup.
8:40
And yeah, they've coped with it remarkably well.
8:42
And congratulations to all. Brilliant, right?
8:45
Those were your sporting headlines this week, which can
8:47
take a few messages, and we'll be back with Jess Stanford and
8:51
Sophie Harris very shortly after these messages.
8:54
You're listening to PCR sports. Good evening.
9:07
Welcome back to the PCR Sports Show here on PCR FM.
9:11
Thank you for joining us once again as tonight we are talking
9:15
all about Peterborough United Women and they are certainly
9:19
flying high in the Women FA Women's National League Division
9:22
One Midlands. This season they have played
9:26
what, 15 games, 113 drawn 2 and only conceded one goal at home
9:31
all season, so they are primed for that top spot.
9:36
Currently they've got two games in hand on Boldamir St.
9:39
Michael's, one point behind and they play them later on this
9:43
month on the 22nd of March, which you could say could be a
9:47
title decider. But well before that there's
9:49
games to be won and none other than that.
9:52
They've got a showcase game this Sunday and they'll be playing at
9:56
the Western Home Stadium, Peterborough United Women versus
9:58
Worcester City, which is a 2:00 PM kick off and you can get your
10:02
tickets via the posh tickets.com.
10:05
And tonight we are delighted to have us with us in the studio,
10:09
two of the squad and that's Sophie Harris and Jess Stamford.
10:14
Ladies, welcome to PCR Sports. Thank you very much.
10:17
Not a problem, Jess. Let's start with yourself first.
10:20
Just come in a little bit closer to the mic so we can hear you.
10:25
Looking forward to Sunday. Yeah, really excited.
10:27
Yeah. It's going to be a a good
10:29
occasion for a lot of people. So yeah, very happy.
10:32
And you were lucky enough to play in the game against
10:35
Lincoln. What was it 3 years ago now?
10:37
2022 I think it was. Remember, he serves me right.
10:40
But hopefully got more of a yeah, but yeah, to be playing at
10:46
back at London Road again, you know what a stage that is for
10:48
the women's football. Yeah, no, definitely.
10:50
It's like I say, a great occasion, get quite a lot of
10:54
people there to watch, which is also really nice.
10:57
Just hopefully we can go and put on a good performance and
11:00
ultimately come away with the win as well.
11:02
Yeah, irrespective of the venue and the fact that you are
11:04
playing at London Road, the big bigger picture at play here is
11:08
that you know you're you're going for the title.
11:11
Yeah, yeah, that's been a a clear aim for us from the very
11:16
start of the season. So it's good to see that we're
11:20
pushing to achieve that. The results are showing.
11:23
So yeah, hopefully, fingers crossed we'll we'll be able to
11:27
achieve what what we set out to achieve.
11:29
Set out to do Sophie. Sadly you're currently injured
11:33
but just as exciting surely to see, you know, the squad being
11:38
at London Road this Sunday. Yeah, I know.
11:40
I think it is a really good opportunity, especially with the
11:43
way that, you know, all the hard work that everyone puts in.
11:45
I think it's a really good opportunity for all of us.
11:47
And yeah, it'll be a good day. Yeah, sadly you are injured at
11:51
the moment. What's the injury?
11:55
What's the return period for you?
11:57
I had to have surgery on my wrist after quite an ongoing
12:00
injury. It's all been done now I'm on
12:03
the road to recovery. I'm in the gym kind of working
12:05
towards getting the gloves back on.
12:07
But yeah, I'll be back next season.
12:09
Wonderful. So that's it must be difficult
12:11
mentally but used to be being involved in that squad still and
12:16
being in and around on match days and they've and the girls
12:18
are very much involved doing a lot of the things.
12:20
Yeah, it's been difficult coming to the team you in the summer
12:22
and then kind of being out straight away, but the girls
12:25
have been really supportive. I've done everything I can to
12:28
still be in and around the team and contribute.
12:31
But yeah, it's been good. Yeah, cracking stuff.
12:33
Jess, just coming back to you then let's just go back a few
12:37
years, shall we say? How did it all start for you?
12:39
You know, when did you first pick up a football?
12:41
When did you first put your put your boots on?
12:43
I think I would have been about 8 or 9 and it would have been in
12:48
my back garden with my dad most likely.
12:51
He was very much into football, so it was all I've ever really
12:56
been around. So yeah, with my dad and then
13:00
with my two brothers as well. We used to go and watch his
13:03
football every Saturday and never stopped since.
13:09
In the families you're saying Arsenal fans.
13:12
Yes, they are. Yeah, very much so.
13:14
Winning the league this year. Yes, I'm saying that confidence
13:17
because I'm so fed up with people telling me that we're
13:20
gonna bottle it. So yes, we are.
13:24
Fingers crossed for you, I say. Your dad and your brother's been
13:27
very much an influence in you playing football.
13:31
How old were you again when you first put your boots on, do you
13:33
reckon? Or kicked a ball?
13:34
I wouldn't be able to tell you. The exact age but started off in
13:39
a a girls team which actually looking back quite rare because
13:44
there probably wasn't many many girls teams around.
13:47
So did that for a few years and then went to an Academy and was
13:52
there for 7-7 years and then stepped foot in a lady's side.
13:57
Yeah, Sophie, how did it all start for you?
14:01
For me, it was at school. I was the only girl in my school
14:03
to play football, so it was just kind of at lunchtime just
14:07
getting all muddy and yeah, just getting involved and doing
14:11
everything I can. And then I think at one point
14:14
nobody wanted to go in golf, so I said, OK, I'll do it.
14:16
And it's never really stopped from that.
14:18
Would you say that as a position that most people just think now
14:21
I want to be a striker, for example, and take the glory?
14:23
I think everyone always wants to go against goalkeeper.
14:26
I think obviously you get the glory from scoring the goals,
14:28
but I might like just getting in front of it clearly.
14:31
Yeah, yeah, Throwing yourself around, yeah, especially as well
14:35
your influences then, you know, family, parents.
14:39
Nobody in my family really plays football, so it was all kind of
14:42
just watching and kind of wanting to do anything.
14:46
I did every sport possible, being younger, so and then I
14:50
think I got to an age where my mom said, oh, you're gonna have
14:52
to pick something, you can't do everything.
14:54
She said I can't play football on a horse.
14:56
So I said, OK, I'll choose football.
14:59
What are the sports thing interested you have then is a as
15:02
a child. They really vary.
15:03
I did hockey, netball, cricket, cheerleading at one point.
15:08
I think anything you could have said, I wanted to do so.
15:10
So sport was very much in your blood then from a very, very age
15:13
so. I think I just didn't.
15:14
I couldn't stay still so. I'd just like to do any.
15:17
Sport possible? Jess, you obviously said, you
15:20
know football been very much part of your life through your
15:23
brothers, your dad, any of the sport taking your interest or
15:26
did you not have a choice, for example?
15:28
As much as So what did I do? I mean, in school you obviously
15:33
get into like your netball and hockey, but I don't think I ever
15:38
brought any real quality to any of those.
15:41
Yeah, just football mainly. Yeah, I can't think of.
15:46
Anything. Yeah.
15:47
No, no, that's not a problem, is it?
15:48
You know, I started watching Pete reunite when I was, what,
15:51
910 years of age. And it just sticks with you,
15:53
doesn't it? Because you've got those
15:55
influences around you, whether it be parents or school, for
15:58
example, in in Sophie's case, that it really just stick with
16:01
you. And I think it becomes a bit of
16:03
a bug after that, doesn't it? From that.
16:05
You can't get rid of that. What do you like to do away from
16:09
football then? Girls, you know, you obviously
16:12
love playing it, watching it, no doubt, but how do you relax?
16:16
How do you switch off? I like to spend a lot of time
16:20
with family, that's quite important for me.
16:22
I've also got a sausage dog who takes up a lot of my time so go
16:28
out on nice walks. Do you like going to the pub?
16:34
I don't know if I'm allowed to say that.
16:35
You can say that we can all go to pubs.
16:37
It depends on what you do in the pub.
16:39
That's the question. Drink.
16:40
In the pub on a Friday night only.
16:45
Obviously if the manager's listing pre match nothing of
16:50
touchy lips, yeah. Yeah, family, friends, dog and
16:54
the occasional alcoholic dog. What's your dog's name?
16:57
Marlow. Marlow.
16:58
Any significance to that? I suggested.
17:04
That you can say on air. So I suggested the name Milo,
17:10
OK, And it was misheard. And they said, Oh yeah, I really
17:15
like the name Marlo. So I was like, OK, we'll go with
17:21
Marlo. And it stuck from there, yeah.
17:23
That's the story behind why it's called Marlo.
17:25
OK. And Sophie, have you been doing
17:28
obviously you said you're injured suddenly with your
17:30
injury, have you know, have you dealt with not being able to
17:34
play, I guess? I think doing anything I still
17:37
can possibly do I think I was in a cast trying to cook a meal at
17:41
some point and it's it's not I wouldn't recommend it.
17:45
Yeah, I don't I don't really have do anything else side of
17:47
football like obviously walks my family are kind of dotted here,
17:51
there and everywhere so I could try and travel out and see them
17:54
when I can. But I like a good book I read
17:57
quite sometimes when I can be bothered.
18:01
But yeah, like I'll back Julie with the fact that I do like a
18:04
drink as well. I do like a nice little sunshine
18:07
in a pub garden, just a casual one.
18:10
But yeah, I think I like the gym.
18:11
I go out on runs, walks when I can, but the weather's been bad
18:14
at the. Moment.
18:15
Yeah, indeed. I was going to say pub beer
18:16
gardens probably not being as frequented as we'd like to, but
18:19
let's hope that sun is coming out over the next few weeks,
18:22
that's for sure. Jess, from a playing
18:26
perspective, then let's get away from the pub before the manager
18:28
gets in touch with us and says what's going on here.
18:32
Looking forward to Sunday showcase fixture against
18:35
Worcester City. Just playing in an environment
18:38
like that, I mean, that's just an achievement in itself,
18:41
surely? Yeah.
18:42
And it's yeah, there's not been many opportunities.
18:45
So it's going to be a great occasion to showcase women's
18:50
football and to also play in front of a a big crowd as well.
18:57
With it being International Women's Day, the players also
18:59
get to walk out with their chosen woman mascot.
19:06
So yeah, it'll be a really special one and and definitely
19:08
one for for a lot of the girls to remember.
19:10
And how do you prepare then going from Bourne, which was a
19:13
great success, playing there at Pymm's Park where you've got an
19:16
impeccable record, and now playing at London Road on on
19:19
Sunday Mindset, appreciate the audience, you know, the the
19:24
crowd would be a lot bigger. How do you prepare for a game
19:27
like that? I guess personally nothing would
19:30
change for me. I just see it as another game.
19:33
Obviously I understand, appreciate that it's in a a big
19:36
stadium, but I'd do all the same things.
19:40
I wouldn't do anything differently I guess.
19:45
Any superstitions but you carry through?
19:49
Do you put your I like? To make sure I have lashes like
19:52
good. OK, OK.
19:54
Lashes and I was going to say slick back, but a lot of the
19:57
girls have recently been ripping me because it's it's not been
20:02
that great and I will admit. So just lashes?
20:05
Really. OK, I.
20:06
Don't know if that's a position, but we're going.
20:07
To go, but if that goes with you and you feel better for it,
20:10
whatever it may be, I think Sophie, you were saying you put
20:13
your left glove on 1st, do you? Yeah, mine aren't quite lashes,
20:16
but I always put my my left glove on 1st and then when I go
20:20
to the goal, I'll put my, if I'm facing the, I'll face the goal.
20:23
Yeah, I'll put my bottle in the bottom left hand corner.
20:26
Yeah, touch the left post, touch the right post, touch the
20:28
crossbar. And that's before every game.
20:30
Jess has just given you strange looks.
20:33
But keepers are mad though, aren't they?
20:34
Yeah, I think we do have a certain level of weirdness.
20:38
So I think it's about right. Pre match rituals eh?
20:42
Yeah, brilliant stuff, right? We're just going to take a short
20:45
break here, but we're back with Jess and Sophie after these
20:48
messages once again. You're listening to PCR.
21:01
Sports. Good evening and welcome back to
21:09
the PCR Sports Show here on PCR FM.
21:13
Tonight on the show we are joined by Jess Stanford and
21:16
Sophie Harris, both members of a successful Peterborough United
21:21
squad that are gunning for the title in the FA Women's National
21:24
League Division One Midlands. They are currently second,
21:28
played 15113, drawn 2 and only conceded one goal at home all
21:32
season. So it's seven games to go.
21:35
They've got two games in hand on top spot at the moment and
21:39
that's bold. Amir St.
21:40
Michael's one point behind and they still have to play them
21:43
later on this month as well. But tonight's focus really is on
21:47
their game against Worcester City where they'll be playing at
21:50
the Western home stadium, London Road.
21:52
To many Posh fans that will know as in a 2:00 PM kick off on
21:56
International Women's Day and tickets are available via the
22:01
Posh tickets.com on the website. And there's plenty going on off
22:06
the pitch as well. On Sunday, they can expect the
22:09
fan zone will be open. Peterborough will be in
22:11
attendance. There'll be some face painting.
22:13
Jack Dean, the freestyler and the club shop will also be open
22:16
pre match. So as much as the the girls will
22:20
look at look to put a show on on the pitch, there'll be plenty of
22:23
activities off the pitch as well.
22:25
And I suppose, Jess, that's what you're looking to do on a
22:29
Saturday, put on a show for the large crowd that'll be in
22:32
attendance? Yeah.
22:33
Hopefully we've put in a lot of a lot of effort and hard work
22:38
through training this week. So yeah, I don't doubt that
22:41
we'll we'll put on a good performance.
22:43
Sophie, you're not currently involved from a playing
22:46
perspective, but you've been very much been part of the squad
22:49
this season and I suppose you've been there supporting Neve
22:53
Corrie, who is the #1 currently. Yeah, I think I've come into the
22:56
GK union and like Neve is a. Great GK Union, that is what
23:00
it's going on. Yeah, Neve.
23:02
Neve's great and you know, she's done really well this season.
23:04
So yeah, the fact that we've only conceded one goal at home
23:07
says it all. Yeah, and do you talk to a pre
23:11
match? Does she have her own rituals?
23:13
How do you know? Yeah, Neve will always get
23:15
someone else in the team to put her gloves on.
23:16
Oh wow, go around the OK room. She get to choose someone each
23:19
each week. OK, put her gloves.
23:21
A different person each week. She kind of keeps in her own
23:24
space. Oh well, she's a bit quiet and
23:26
like, not quite, but she won't be one of the like, loud people.
23:29
But she's very much in the zone from start to the end, really.
23:32
Yep. So talking about those dressing
23:35
room dynamics then natural leaders, who's the loudest?
23:39
Who's the worst in there? Who's the nervous as you?
23:43
Say Nevo doesn't shut up. She.
23:46
Probably should be a bit quiet. And this and this is Neve
23:51
Reynolds. Is it?
23:51
Yeah, yeah. Sorry, Neve Reynolds.
23:54
Courtney's allowed one as well. She she likes to kind of bring
23:57
the likeness to the changing room.
23:58
OK, and who gets to choose the tunes?
24:01
Courtney's Yeah, DJ. Yeah.
24:04
But we've we've all added like our individual songs that we
24:07
want to go in and there's a rule that you are not to skip because
24:11
if you skip. They get really tattooed, yeah.
24:14
Is there fines involved here? Not for skipping, but we do have
24:18
fines for everything. OK.
24:20
Can you name some of them? Yeah, so you've got being late.
24:24
OK, Yeah. Getting socks and kit.
24:26
Yeah, for getting kit. Staying after a game?
24:33
Water bottles. I think there's something to do
24:35
with cleaning or filling up the water bottles for one of them,
24:37
but yeah. There's anything in training?
24:40
Lateness. Yeah, I think.
24:42
So it's just about discipline really isn't it?
24:44
Respecting each other because you know, if one, if one or two
24:47
are late, then it has a knock on effect to the rest of the squad.
24:49
Then from that perspective, who's got the worst jokes?
24:55
I mean, there's a few you've. Probably got Katie Hines and
24:58
Emily Sharp. Yeah.
25:01
Can you repeat any of them? I don't think any of us really
25:04
understand. They're that bad?
25:07
Are they over? Their heads, I think.
25:08
OK, all right. In all seriousness though,
25:13
you've both been playing football for a number of years
25:15
now. Who do you look up to Jess?
25:18
First, you know who've been your role models, whether that be
25:21
male or female, from a footballing perspective or
25:24
generally in the wider world. I think I definitely would say
25:28
my dad, just having grown up playing him all my life.
25:33
Did he play at all? Pardon.
25:35
Did he play football at all? Your dad?
25:36
Yeah. Yeah, yeah, he played right
25:38
through. I mean, he's retired now.
25:42
Striker, Midfield. Centre Mid.
25:44
Centre mid yeah, Position that you've taken up.
25:47
Yeah, it. Was one of those centre mids
25:49
that just stands still but knows the right.
25:53
Have you been told to say that by your dad?
25:55
I play. Similar, but I would disagree.
25:59
And then Thierry Rey is probably another one.
26:04
Obvious Arsenal connection there, yeah?
26:06
Yeah, also 14 on the back of the.
26:08
Shell. OK, Yeah, that's where it comes
26:10
from, is it? Yeah.
26:11
OK. And then more recently, I do
26:14
like Odegaard. I think he's very magical.
26:18
You don't know what he's going to do next.
26:19
And like that anybody non Arsenal related.
26:22
Nope. You are staunch Gunner aren't
26:25
you? Read through and through from
26:28
that perspective. Sophie yourself sort of
26:32
influences over the years. I've had a few, I think from a
26:34
very young age. The goalkeeper, Demi Lamborn, I
26:37
always, you know, and I got to the point where she was training
26:39
me, so she was the one I looked up to from a very, very young
26:42
age and still do now on the international stage.
26:45
Yvonne Chamberlain as well when I was young, and this one's a
26:49
bit of a sore one, but Aaron Ramsdale I look up to.
26:51
Yeah, quite sore when he left Arsenal, but yeah, he's a
26:54
massive so yeah. So you're both gooners,
26:57
obviously. Do you stick together in the
26:59
dressing room or the stick that you might have been getting
27:01
recently? Arsenal fans, no, I don't need
27:04
to say anything else. Brilliant stuff.
27:08
OK, let's just focus a little bit more on Sunday again then in
27:14
terms of the environment, the atmosphere, the game that you're
27:18
playing. Easy for me to say sitting this
27:21
side of the mic. You've got to go out there and
27:23
deliver Jess along with the rest of the squad, but this is a
27:27
vital game in the bigger picture of the title effectively, isn't
27:30
it? It's yes, it's London Road, yes,
27:33
it's on International Women's Day, yes there's going to be a
27:35
big crowd, there's lots of other activities, but the football
27:39
itself, it's crucial that you turn up.
27:41
Yeah. I mean, our main focus has to be
27:43
coming out with three points because we've worked so hard up
27:47
until now. Understandably the the this
27:51
scene is going to be different to what we're usually used to.
27:54
So with that could come not as much focus maybe, but it's been
27:59
very much told that we are to make sure that we come away with
28:05
the win. In knowing certain terms, in the
28:08
way you're looking at me from that perspective, you're a
28:12
striker. At first I was, yeah.
28:14
Scoring goals. We'll forgive you for playing
28:18
for Cambridge, now you play for Peterborough.
28:21
Have I got that right? I had a spell I never signed.
28:24
Oh OK, yeah, I never signed. For Cambridge.
28:27
That's that, you're fine. Then that well that's you're all
28:30
good, you're all good. So you had a spell there, that's
28:32
fine. But yeah, started out as a
28:34
striker, dropped back a little bit.
28:37
Now to be that sort of midfield general in forcer since.
28:41
The ages come, you tend to tend to drop.
28:43
Backwards. Yeah, I know he started as a
28:47
striker, now playing in the 10 role.
28:53
I enjoy playing both. If the opportunity was there for
28:56
me to play striker, I wouldn't turn it down.
29:00
I like to be in an amongst the goals, whether that's scoring
29:02
them or or assisting them. You've got a couple of goals
29:05
this year from the penalty spot, yes, especially against
29:07
Northampton as well in a big win.
29:09
Yeah, so that that one felt good because Northampton have have
29:13
never been our best, bestest of friends, let's say I.
29:17
Don't think there's any love lost between Peterborough and
29:19
Northampton when it comes to football, whether it be women's
29:21
football or men's football to be honest.
29:23
So no, that's good to hear that it's emanating its way through
29:26
the women's side as well, that that rivalry is there.
29:29
So continue with that one ladies.
29:31
Just from a posh perspective. Certainly you're also backup
29:36
penalty taker. Yes.
29:40
So if Nero's not on, then I'll tend to stand, step up if they
29:46
need me. I mean, I never used to want to
29:49
take them. OK, yeah, I've got this, this
29:54
confidence and doing it now that I've got two against
29:56
Northampton. So yeah, I feel confident.
29:58
Yeah. And in terms of just the the
30:00
mentality, I guess in terms of taking a penalty, the headspace
30:04
I guess being clear and focused. Yeah, I think one of the things
30:07
I used to do before would, I would always change my mind.
30:10
But when you get there, you decide and you go with it and
30:14
that's worked. So I'll, I'll stick at doing
30:17
that for now. I.
30:17
Think definitely and from the opposite perspective, Sophie
30:20
being a goalkeeper and facing penalties, what do you do to put
30:23
the opposition player off? I always like to get in their
30:27
heads a little bit with penalties.
30:28
I'll hover around the spot a little bit, take my time and get
30:30
them back to the line. It's very much similar as the
30:32
striker though, you got to pick a side and go for it.
30:35
But yeah, I'll always try and get in the heads a little bit,
30:37
wind them up. Whether it works or not is a
30:40
different question, but. Just being on the edge,
30:43
effectively just borderline before the referee pulls you
30:46
back, yeah. You do have to, especially with
30:48
recent rules, you do have to be a bit more careful, but yeah, I
30:52
don't mind. Them and Jess, if you're facing
30:55
Sophie then and she's trying to do that, what would you be your
30:58
repost or somebody doing that to you?
31:00
I think that would probably make me want to score more, I won't
31:04
lie. And then there'd be some
31:06
celebration after it. In their faces.
31:11
Depends. That's the risk you've got to
31:13
take. I suppose if you give it out,
31:15
you've got to take it, haven't you?
31:16
You. Don't get much chance as a
31:18
goalkeeper, you know it's against you anyway so you might
31:20
as well try what you can. Yeah, just going away from
31:24
penalties there. And I suppose the biggest
31:25
difference I see after a game is the fact from a women's
31:30
perspective, the team will stay behind, sign autograph, take
31:33
pictures. And that's very much about being
31:36
part of the community. And you know, that's that's such
31:39
a wonderful thing that you guys do.
31:41
Yeah. I mean, we're very appreciative
31:43
of our fans that that come and watch us.
31:46
So we want to make sure that we take the time to to thank them
31:50
and the the young girls as well that are, that are watching.
31:54
It's yeah, it's important to interact with them after the
31:56
games. Yeah, you're role models to
31:57
them, aren't you, Sophie? You know they're looking up to
32:00
you now. I think, I think when I was that
32:02
age I looked up to my local team and to be able to be in that
32:05
position now, I feel very fortunate to be able to to be
32:08
inspiring the next generations of girls.
32:10
But you know, they travel home and away for us with, you know,
32:13
some of them come along all the way up to Burnley for the FA
32:15
Cup. So yeah, it's really nice to be
32:17
able to put the time back into them.
32:18
Yeah, and the game's certainly evolved, hasn't it?
32:21
You know, with the success of the Lionesses in the EUR, the
32:24
World Cup, you know, the women's football is certainly very much,
32:27
you know, at the forefront of people's minds now.
32:30
That's it. Might not well have been when
32:31
you first started out on your career.
32:33
No. And I think it being the only
32:35
girl at school to play kind of said it all.
32:37
But yeah, there's still a lot more to come, I think.
32:39
But yeah, it's massive, the development that's happened over
32:42
the last few years. Yeah, Jess, you obviously had
32:44
your dad and your brothers, your influence within the family, so
32:48
you really couldn't get away from football.
32:49
But again, the game has evolved so much, hasn't it over the
32:51
years and you look at how well Arsenal women are doing as well.
32:54
I know. Yeah.
32:55
Well, it's been since the the England women's squad won the
32:59
the EUR that it really started to, to kick off, which is, yeah,
33:03
really good to see. I mean, I remember when I was
33:06
playing the school football pitch with baggy shorts and
33:11
baggy tops, and now we've got these fitted kits with women's
33:14
shorts. So, yeah.
33:16
So it's really grown a lot. And it's, I think, yeah, only
33:19
going to grow, grow more. Which, yeah, what would you like
33:22
to see? Bit of a bit of a leading
33:24
question, but what you know, what would you, how do you see
33:26
the game evolving over the next, I don't know, 2-3, five years
33:29
perhaps? I think definitely more
33:32
occasions like Sunday to really showcase what it what it is that
33:37
we can do. I think that'd be a start.
33:43
And I guess Sophie, it's just keeping it in the in the
33:45
people's forefront of their minds, isn't it?
33:47
The limelight. Yeah, I think making sure that
33:51
the effort that everyone puts in behind the scenes is kind of
33:55
shown because there are a lot of people that don't get credit
33:58
behind the scenes for the amount of effort and work gets gets put
34:01
into the team. And you know, I don't think you
34:03
realise how much players put in themselves as well get into
34:06
training. But yeah, brilliant stuff,
34:09
right? We're just going to take a few
34:10
more messages and we'll be back with Jess and Sophie for the
34:15
last quarter of our of the show. You're listening to PCR sports.
34:30
Good evening and welcome back to the PCR Sports Show here on PCR
34:34
FM. Tonight we are talking to Jess
34:35
Stanford and Sophie Harris from Peterborough United Women.
34:39
We've been very much focused on their game at the Western Home
34:43
Stadium, which is a 2:00 PM kick off on International Women's
34:46
Day. And they'll be facing Worcester
34:48
City as they aim to continue their unbeaten season so far,
34:53
where they've played 15113 and drawn the two and conceded only
34:57
one goal at home all season so far, sitting second in the
35:01
table. But with two games in hand on
35:03
Boldemir St. Michael's, who they play later
35:06
on this month in March on the 22nd, and that's away from home.
35:11
So no doubt that will be a pivotal game in the chase for
35:14
the title. But first, they've got Worcester
35:17
City this Sunday afternoon. I know 2:00 PM kick off.
35:21
And Jess, I think you were saying earlier that you probably
35:24
just treat it very much as a another game if, so to speak,
35:28
despite the environment that you're going to be playing in.
35:30
Yeah. I think it's yeah, important to
35:33
do that because you don't want the the pressure or to look up
35:37
and see the. Family, Friends.
35:40
Yeah, yeah, family friends as well.
35:42
I've got quite a lot of mind coming, so yeah, it'd be, it'd
35:47
be nice to walk out with my niece and then.
35:50
Oh, that's who you're walking out with?
35:51
Yeah, I'm looking forward. And she will love that, no doubt
35:56
as her. How old is she?
35:57
She's only two, so she's. Not going to remember.
35:58
So you're going to be carrying her out potentially as well.
36:01
Yeah, be able to. Yeah, take a photo and then show
36:04
her when she's a bit older to understand.
36:06
Proud, proud auntie moment there.
36:08
Yeah, and Sophie, you'll be there on the day, sadly not
36:12
within the squad because of your injury currently, but very much
36:16
supporting the girls in offering any words of advice,
36:19
encouragement and generally just being there for them as a a
36:21
sounding board. Yeah, I'm very fortunate to have
36:24
the opportunity to walk out as well on Sunday.
36:27
So I'm looking forward to that and that's, I think that's
36:29
really important for the whole squad to have that opportunity.
36:32
But yeah, I'll be there to play whatever part's needed.
36:35
But yeah. It's very much a squad game,
36:37
isn't it? Yeah, I think it's really
36:38
important. And if you look at our our
36:40
bench, you know, anyone's really capable to to go on and make a
36:44
difference. But yeah, all the girls are are
36:47
very good. In terms of the squad, Jess,
36:51
it's, you know, that depth there.
36:52
You can see that from the different number of different
36:55
golf scorers this season as well.
36:56
They've stepped up when they've needed to.
36:58
Yeah, as Sophie said, each and everyone of the the players are
37:03
more than capable to play in this this league and and above
37:06
as well. So we are really fortunate to
37:09
have that depth. With that will obviously come
37:13
disagreements and and whatever, but.
37:16
That's part and parcel of football though, isn't it?
37:18
Progress it. Is but yeah, the the main goal
37:21
for us all is to have a good season and hopefully gain the
37:26
promotion so. That you're all that The
37:28
ambition was at the start of the season from that perspective.
37:30
So, Jess, what would you say to people that are listening
37:33
tonight looking ahead to Sunday women and narrowing perhaps what
37:38
would what would you say I? Would say get yourself down
37:42
there, get yourself down to London Road and hopefully, like
37:46
I say, we'll put on a great performance.
37:48
Lots of things going on International Women's Day.
37:53
Yeah, what better place to be than a Sunday afternoon or 2:00
37:55
PM kick off? Let's.
37:56
Just take the sun shining. Fingers crossed.
37:59
Irrespective of that though, it's those three points, isn't
38:01
it, from that bigger picture that you're looking at here, and
38:04
no doubt manager Jake Paul has drummed that into you from a
38:08
training perspective. Yeah, yeah.
38:10
He has made it very clear the the goal.
38:16
Not to be overtaken by the occasion.
38:18
Yes, yeah. So it's, yeah, we've all taken
38:21
that on board and we all know and understand that the game
38:25
needs to be won and we've got to continue to do everything that
38:29
we've done in previous games to make sure that happens.
38:32
Brilliant stuff just mentioned there.
38:34
You know there's other activities going on as well, not
38:36
just the football on Sunday afternoon, which is a 2:00 PM
38:40
kick off, but you can also the fan zone will be open.
38:43
Peterborough the Posh mascot will be in attendance.
38:45
There's free face painting. Jack Dean, the freestyler and
38:48
the club shop will also be open pre match and you can get your
38:51
tickets at the posh tickets.com and they are slightly cheaper if
38:56
you get them ahead of match day. Sophie, you may not have been
39:03
involved this season from a playing perspective, but you've
39:06
said you're very much part of the squad now.
39:10
Having a promotion against your name would still just mean as
39:12
much, surely? Yeah, I think it's a massive
39:14
thing to be part of a squad that's been able to achieve such
39:17
a thing. I think we've all, you know,
39:20
we've taken this season game by game with that same ambition in
39:25
mind. But yeah, to be part of it is
39:27
obviously still amazing and I hope that I could contribute in
39:31
behind the scenes like I have done.
39:32
Yeah, cracking stuff. So you've got family and friends
39:35
coming, Jess, how many of you got come in?
39:38
Who's coming? So.
39:39
I've got 20 tickets from Sam. Wow.
39:42
Yeah. So that includes around 14
39:47
adults and then kids and then 2 / 65.
39:51
I wasn't quite expecting that level of detail, but if you want
39:54
to mention the oldies that are coming as well, then I'll be.
39:58
My Nan and. Granddad.
39:59
Oh bless. That'll be really nice to see
40:01
them. They have got into coming to
40:04
watch me this season with it being back in Peterborough.
40:06
Yeah, that's been really special and really nice.
40:08
Yep. Do you all remember rightly
40:10
You're a Peterborough girl, Yes. Yeah.
40:12
Born and bred. Born and bred.
40:14
Peterborough Ian, Which secondary school did you go to?
40:17
I went to. New park.
40:19
OK, New Park Academy. So training, well, you trained
40:22
there originally. The games were played there at
40:24
one point as well, weren't they as well?
40:25
Yeah, they. Were before on the school pitch.
40:27
Yeah, yeah, I did puts our scholarship which is now a
40:31
football scholarship. So yeah, school and then year
40:36
1213 and then left year 13 and that's when I joined
40:41
Peterborough United Women. Yeah, Sophie, what's your
40:44
journey been? Just to recap, in football,
40:46
Yeah. And then obviously from a school
40:48
perspective as well. Yeah, so I'm, I'm originally
40:50
from Oxford, so I'm not really from here.
40:53
I played with the grassroots girls team from I've started
40:58
when I was 5, but I didn't join a team till I was about 9:00.
41:02
So I joined them and then it was quite an odd one.
41:05
My team featured in a show where Alex Scott came down.
41:08
Oh, brilliant. Training and she pulled my mum
41:10
aside and said I think you should take her, take her
41:14
somewhere. Around so she was scouting
41:15
inadvertently as well the. Development programme of Arsenal
41:19
and then I moved to London when I was 16 on my own to do the
41:23
Academy football programme and then I went to university, so I
41:27
was kind of in between quite a few teams and then I've moved up
41:30
here since graduating. Wonderful stuff.
41:32
What did you graduate in? Sports Studies with psychology.
41:35
Wow, okay, comes in useful, no doubt.
41:38
I haven't used it yet, it's in the back.
41:41
Pocket. It's in the back pocket when
41:42
needed. Brilliant stuff, Jess.
41:45
Sophie, thank you so much for your time this evening.
41:49
Just from all of us here at PCR Sports, I just want to wish you
41:51
all the best, not just for Saturday.
41:54
We, you know, it's a great occasion for women's football to
41:57
be there on international International Women's Day.
42:00
But I think it's very clear the bigger picture is, you know,
42:03
that title that you're going for.
42:06
Fingers crossed you'll bring it home.
42:08
Fingers crossed. With seven games to go.
42:11
Brilliant. Thank you very much ladies.
42:13
And just a reminder, that's a 2:00 PM kick off on Sunday.
42:16
Posh women play Worcester City at the Western Home Stadium.
42:19
Tickets available by the Posh tickets.com and they are
42:22
slightly cheaper before match day.
42:25
Tipamp, Thank you. Pleasure.
42:27
Thank you not. A problem who we got next week.
42:29
We have got a martial arts club MPSK on that's a father and
42:35
daughter run organization. So we're looking forward to
42:37
speak with them because they run some special courses for for
42:39
children with special needs and and on all inclusive sort of
42:44
offering as well, which is which is good to hear.
42:46
So. Brilliant stuff.
42:47
Thank you for that. So do join us again next Friday
42:50
at 6:00 PM here on for the PCR Sports Show on PCRFM.
42:54
But if you want to get your football fixed this weekend,
42:56
there's only one place to be and that's at London Road, the home
43:00
of Peterborough United, where the women will be taking on
43:02
Worcester City in a 2:00 PM kick off.
43:05
And we wish them all the best, not just for Sunday but also for
43:09
the remaining six matches after that.
43:10
So whatever your involvement in sport this weekend, whether it
43:14
is volunteering, playing or spectating, we do wish you a
43:17
very successful and enjoyable sporting weekend.