You need to spend more time over here - you're getting out of practice

I know

I know

That's the way to do it - repetition is a good way of learning

Fleets Fleets Fleets

What Is Your Favourite Place In Scotland ?

My favourite place in Scotland is definitely Kilwinning. That is where I am from and been brought up. I've lived away when I went to University and then when I played In America but there is no place like home. All my family and friends live here and that's why it's my favourite place.

Where In Scotland have you played or seen your best game of football ?

Kilwinning Sports Club. There is so many games that go on at grass roots level every weekend at my local sports club. It's great to see so many kids , boys and girls , out playing and having fun. There is some very entertaining games that go on down there particularly at amateur level. I enjoy going to watch my brother play. He used to play at the sports club but he now plays at junior level.

Who has been the biggest inspiration to you ?

My family hace easily been my biggest influence. I was very dependant on my parents for lifts when I was younger and they gave up a lot of their time to take me to training and to come and watch me play. They still are very supportive and come to games whenever they can.

When was your first game of football and what happened ?

My first game of football was for my first team Cunningham boys club under 10s. We were playing a team called Breghorn and we won 2-1 , I scored one of the goals and I was very chuffed. I was the only girl in the league and I loved playing with them.

What is your proudest moment so far ?

PLaying for my country and then captaining my country. It's a great feeling leading the team out on to the pitch.

What does playing for Arsenal mean to you ?

Arsenal are a huge club and to play for them is an honour. One of the great things about Arsenal Ladies is that they are very much a part of the whole club and as a player you feel involved with the whole football club.

Which game will you tell your grand-children about ?

When playing for Scotland we were playing Lithuania. It was the last game of the group and we had to beat them 17-0 to go through to the lay-offs for the World Cup. It was 6-0 at half time but all of a sudden we started banging the goals in during the 2nd half. We ended up winning 17-0 and I scored the 17th goal in injury time.

What is your ultimate ambition ?

To be happy in whatever I'm doing. I tend to live day to day and in terms of football I don't have future ambitions. I try my best in training and in games and whatever comes off that I will see. I'm strong believer in what is for you will not go by you.

What would your advice be to a young girl , who wants to be a professional footballer ?

Play to enjoy it and work hard. You will work hard though if you are enjoying it. That really is the only advice I can give , enjoyment is the biggest part of being successful. It will make you strive to keep practicing and competing. Never lose the fun element of football.

If you had a million pounds to give to one non-profit organisation or charity - which one would it be ?

I'm not sure what exact organisation it would be but I would definitely give it to a children's charity. It breaks my heart when I see adverts of children who have been deprived. They have such a hard start to life and I would like the money to go towards giving them a better life.

Nice read that.

Nice to see the Arsenal ladies feel they are part of the club as a whole - there are one or two teams where that doesn't apply

I love that 17-0 v Lithuania

Reminds my of when England men needed to beat San Marino by 7 goals in their final group game to qualify for Europe or WC - I forget which - and they let in a goal in the first minute

That don't surprise me

I couldn't believe when I read the 17-0 , you wouldn't think it was possible to get

Nice interview, thanks Smithy

Talk about a fairytale of a story

My pleasure

Those last 2 posts make it look as if you like telling fairy tales smithy

Another article on our Fleets

Another Fleeting moment of magic with double century

One hundred caps and 100 goals: there is a neat symmerty to the distinguished Scotland career of Julie Fleeting. The Arsenal striker reached a century of goals in her country's 3-0 win over Slovakia in their European Championship qualifier at the weekend and will win her 100th cap against Denmark at McDiarmid Park.

It is remarkable achievement for a player who picked up her first capin 1996 and , at 26 , arguably still has her peak years ahead.

You might say that Fleeting scores goals for fun if she did not take it so seriously. She holds down a full-time job as a PE teacher at ST.Michaels in Kilwinning , trains with Kilwinning Rangers through the week and flies to London on Sunday mornings to spearhead Arsenal's attack.

Her commitment is total : [/b]" It's a strange set-up that puzzles people , but that's how it goes " , she says.

Fleeting made her debut against Wales at Somerset PArk 11 years ago and has been encouraged by the development of the Scotland Women's national team over the last decade. " When we played against Wales back then , we were staying in a youth hostel at the time under the SWFA Scottish Women's Football Association.

We wore a completely different strip to the men's side and we scraped for money. I would never have reached 100 caps if the associations hadn't joined the SWFA became part of the Scottish Football Association in 1999 - the funding wouldn't have been there. I love playing for Scotland. I've always been passionate about"[/b]

As the landmark of goals drew closer , so Fleeting began to feel the pressure. " I missed a sitter against Slovakia before it and I was walking about like a bear with a sore head. For the first time I was aware of wanting to score that badly. It's not something I've ever counted - then , all of a sudden , I'm almost at 100 goals. When it gets nearer , you think about more.

To get to this stage is the best thing in football. Scoring goals means the world to me and to do it so often for my national team is special. I've always had more goals than caps during my career but gradually they've evened themselves out. I've been under ressure from Barry , my brother to reach 100 goals. So it's been nice to get there "

Fleeting has enjoyed a decorated club career with Arsenal , where she has won every domestic honour , but is justifiably proud of reaching the cap and goals landmark. " To win the European Cup with Arsenal was amazing. The year Arsenal men's team won the league , we were on the open-top bus with them. We feel part of the club. The Scotland team have never been the best team in Europe , so it is a different feeling. At Arsenal , it was a great team effort , while my 100 goals and caps for Scotland were more an individual achievement "

Her Scotland career has not been without it's surreal moments. " We beat Lithuania 17-0 , it was a strange game. We had to by 17 goals to qualify and , at 16-0 their keeper started making world class saves. I then scored in the 93rd minute."

Fleeting comes from footballing stock. Her father , Jim , was a defender with Kilmarnock and is now the SFA's director of football development. She is also married to Colin Stewart , the Livingston goalkeeper.

She picks out 17 year old Kim Little as an emerging Scottish talent , but still has plenty of football left to play herself.

So what about another 100 goals then ?" I would doubt that ," Fleeting said with a laugh. I am starting to pick up silly injuries.

"I definitely want to have a family at some point - I could wait until my career finishes or take a break. I'm not sure yet "[b]

Imagine your mum was a better footy player than you are, assuming she has a boy that is....

She's a better player than her husband , come to think of it she beats him at all sports they play. He can only win at Tin Pin Bowling

I feel for the guy, i really do

It would be interesting how a female player would do in a mans team, im not sure how it would go. One of my mates has been a scotland international all her life and i think shes in the U-18's team now and i kill her at footy whenevr ive played with her, and i have never played for a team ever!

It's the whole strength and speed thing , men will always be physically stronger and quicker than women , but I do find the women player's to be more technically better.

There's a nice picture of Fleets in the Jan issue of the Arsenal mag. She was presented with a silver plate at half time of the recent men's game against Chelsea to mark her playing 100 games for Scotland and , incredibly , scoring 100 goals. She was pictured with Managing Directer Keith Edelman , who presented the award on behalf of the club , on the Emirates Stadium pitch.

Me scanner is dead so can't yet get the pic up. Will do as soon as possible.

You buy the Arsenal mag?

You'll be a fan of Arsenal men yet

Twm what a thing to say. I shall always be Manchester United

A guy at work buys it and gives me the Ladies pages so kind of him