The Football Interview is an exciting new series where prominent figures from sport and entertainment sit down with host Kelly Somers for candid and thought-provoking conversations about the nation’s most beloved game. The show goes beyond match highlights and trophies, diving into mindset, motivation, defining career moments and personal reflections. It aims to reveal the human being behind the athlete, offering fans a deeper understanding of the journeys that shape sporting icons.
Episodes are released across BBC platforms including BBC iPlayer, YouTube, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website, with television broadcasts on BBC One. This week’s featured guest is England captain Leah Williamson — a player who has already etched her name into the history of women’s football.
Williamson’s career speaks volumes. She has captained England to two European Championship titles and lifted every major honour available during her long association with Arsenal Women, including the UEFA Women’s Champions League and the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup. Yet, despite her glittering trophy cabinet, one ambition remains unfulfilled: winning the World Cup.
In her conversation with Somers, Williamson reflects on the early days of her football journey. Her first memory of playing the sport dates back to gymnastics sessions as a child, when a coach would occasionally bring out a soft ball while parents waited at pickup time. She soon joined her first team, Scots Youth FC, where she was the only girl. Although fiercely supported by her teammates, she often faced hostility from opposition parents who would urge their children not to be outplayed by “a girl.” Looking back, Williamson laughs at the irony, imagining what those critics might say now.
Interestingly, she admits she was far from a prodigy in her earliest years. Her mother recalls that watching her play was hardly thrilling, and Williamson herself jokes that she toe-punted the ball until the age of 10. That admission offers hope to young players and parents alike — elite careers do not always begin with instant brilliance.
As a teenager, Williamson reached a crossroads. At 15, she seriously considered quitting football. The long journeys, financial strain, and lack of professionalism in the women’s game at the time made her question whether the gamble was worthwhile. A pivotal conversation with her mother in a car park nearly led to her stepping away, but she ultimately decided to persevere. Her father’s unwavering belief that she would one day earn a living from football also helped fuel her commitment.
Even when she broke into Arsenal’s first team, Williamson remained cautious. University and even a scholarship in the United States were genuine considerations. Inspired by films like Bend It Like Beckham, she dreamed of studying and playing abroad. However, as women’s football in England began to accelerate in growth and visibility, she chose to stay and commit fully. On her 18th birthday, she signed her first professional contract — a defining moment that marked her full dedication to the sport.
A major turning point came around the 2015 Women’s World Cup. After catching the attention of then-England manager Mark Sampson, Williamson received a phone call informing her she would have been invited to a preparation camp if not for injury. That near-miss clarified how deeply she cared about representing her country. Rather than waiting for opportunities, she resolved to seize them. Soon after, her first senior England call-up arrived, solidifying football as her long-term career.
When asked which match she would relive, Williamson bypasses the physically draining Champions League final and instead chooses the unforgettable Euro 2022 final at Wembley. From the moment England walked out in front of 90,000 fans, she sensed something extraordinary. Despite a brief scare when the opposition equalised, she felt an overwhelming belief that victory was inevitable. The roar of the crowd, the scale of the occasion, and the knowledge that history was within reach created an atmosphere unlike any other.
Winning that tournament was transformative — not just personally, but nationally. It ended a 56-year wait for a major England football trophy and shifted the landscape of women’s football. Williamson acknowledges that the team’s lives changed overnight, transitioning from relative anonymity to widespread recognition. With that shift came pressure, scrutiny and responsibility. She and her teammates quickly realised they might never replicate that exact emotional high again — a realization that both grounds and motivates them.
The 2025 Euros presented a different kind of challenge. Williamson battled injury and endured significant physical discomfort, requiring immense mental resilience. Unlike the near-invincible feeling of 2022, this triumph was defined by grit and unity. She describes it as a test of inner strength rather than effortless flow.
Away from football, Williamson reveals a multi-dimensional personality. As a child, she describes herself as confident — perhaps even insufferable — according to her cousins. She was fearless, comfortable performing, and unafraid to own any room she entered. Family remains central to her life. Her parents split time between supporting her and her brother, who plays for their hometown team. Her father is her unwavering cheerleader, while her mother provides honest, sometimes tough, feedback. That balance, Williamson believes, grounded her for life in the spotlight.
Switching off from football is a skill she has deliberately cultivated. With limited time away from the pitch, she prioritises activities that fully absorb her attention — concerts, theatre, cinema, and dining out. Music, in particular, helps her detach from football-related thoughts. Recently, she even purchased a keyboard to reignite her love for playing piano.
Fashion is another important outlet. Williamson sees it as a form of self-expression, contrasting with the uniformity of football kits. On her days off, clothing becomes a way to reconnect with individuality. Despite public perceptions that she might seem reserved or aloof, she insists she is deeply loyal and emotionally open with those close to her. Protecting her personal space is essential in managing the pressures that accompany fame.
With so much already achieved, the ultimate goal remains clear: lifting the Women’s World Cup. Williamson jokes with teammates like Lucy Bronze and even Mariona Caldentey about swapping medals, but the desire is genuine. As the global women’s game grows increasingly competitive, the challenge only intensifies her ambition.
For Williamson, success is no longer solely about trophies. It is about legacy, representation, and continuing to inspire the next generation — just as she once inspired those watching her sing the anthem as a young girl dreaming big.
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