Who inspires Eniola Aluko?

Eniola Aluko is our second inspirational woman guest editing this week.

Eniola has racked up 103 caps for England with the Lionesses and is currently the first ever female football pundit in men’s football: she is commenting on 9 games during the Euro 2016 TV coverage.

My opinion is valuable because I’ve played for many years and I know the England players.

Eniola Aluko

Eniola says: “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time. My opinion is valuable because I’ve played for many years and I know the England players. When you go against the norm people go crazy but many will be refreshed. A lot of people want a different voice in men’s football – whether it’s a man or a woman”

My first memory was kicking a football. I think I was born with the talent but I was able to express it as a youngster through playing with boys. They called me Eddie not Eni so I could fit in. I just wanted to be one of the boys. And then I realised I was better than most of them.

I’m really grateful to my mum for not listening to relatives in Nigeria who said it wasn’t ladylike to play football. They wanted me to play tennis because you could wear a skirt. My mum knew it was a gift.

We asked Eniola to choose her Top 3 Inspirational Women…

The issue of equal pay in sport has reared its head again with the recent comments by Djokovic and the US Women’s Football Team court case – these are issues that are still problematic in women’s sport. Decades ago Billie Jean went out of her way to ensure there was an equality in tennis that we can all use as a benchmark. If you win as much as the men’s team it should be a given that you’re paid the same.

Karren is someone I look up to because when I’m finished playing I’d love to work in the administrative side of a football club and be on a board. She’s great on The Apprentice and she’s become a Baroness (I don’t have the stomach for politics though).

She’s so consistent in her approach to business in football - she makes great decisions and has a hugely positive influence.

I feel her humanitarian work has changed the world and affected a lot of young children. Some celebrities pay lip service to world issues – and don’t get their hands dirty. Angelina definitely has. She’s taken it on as her mission.