INTERVIEW: Gemma Wilson

Local lass Gemma Wilson grew up playing football on the streets of Washington and went on to represent our club as a no-nonsense central defender in our famous 2009 run in the FA Cup, she three WPL titles including a league and league cup double, a WSL2 title, and was part of the squad that took us to the top of the WSL. Not too shabby a career then!

Wilson retired in 2015 after a career that included coming through the ranks with Steph Houghton, Jill Scott, and Carly Telford, playing alongside Mel Reay, Kelly McDougall, Beth Mead, Demi Stokes, and Lucy Bronze amongst many other great names in women's football. She's also a massive Sunderland fan and very nervous about the Lads' trip to Wembley for the League 1 playoff final.

Roker Report's Women's Football Editor Rich Speight sat down with Gemma for an hour for a wide-ranging interview that will give you a first hand overview of the recent history of our club.

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What are we talking about?

Gemma being a mascot at Roker Park.

Starting out at Sunderland AFC as a player and the setup like for young girls coming through at that time.

The FA Cup run in 2009 and that win at the Stadium of Light against Chelsea. Mixed emotions from Gemma about that whole campaign.

Not being selected to join the inaugural WSL and the loss of a generation of young players. Could SAFC have done more to secure our place then?

Playing in and consistently winning the WPL when the WSL was up and running without the prospect of promotion.

The players and their families keeping the flame of women’s football alive

The WPL Cup win at Northampton, just a week after winning the league - a fantastic couple of weeks for the Lasses

League reorganisations and demotions.

The high point in our history with the fourth-place finish in the WSL and the difficult decision to retire in 2015

Her career outside of the game

What does she think of the lasses who are playing today and the work Mel is doing?

We’ve got a big summer ahead with the Euros with a fair few of your former teammates involved, and Gemma's excited about the Lionesses' prospects

Where do you think SAFC Women and the game, in general, is going? Do you think we can regain our WSL status in the next few years?

Finally, Cheesy Chips on Wembley Way on Saturday!

#SAFC #HerGameToo

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