SHE began playing football at the age of eight, and now Beth Swadling has won a place in the Pompey Ladies’ senior squad.

Beth, who lives with her parents Isy and Doug in Alton, began her footballing career while a pupil at Amery Hill School playing with Wayne Fox’s Alton United Girls.

She later had a season with an Alton boys team and then went back to girls’ teams in Headley and Liss.

A talented player, she represented her county within the North East Hampshire Youth League representative team for three years and with Hampshire Schools for two years.

After two years in the Portsmouth Juniors set up, Beth had a successful trial with Portsmouth Ladies Reserves, who play in the Southern Premier reserves league and are currently second in the table.

Perry Northeast, Pompey Ladies’ manager, said: “I’m really pleased to see Beth come into the senior squad this season. She’s a great player to work with and is one of the first graduates of our youth system which is starting to produce some excellent players, including Beth herself.

“Hopefully Beth will continue to develop in the senior section with the ultimate aim of gaining a spot in the first team.

“Beth is wearing the pink away kit which is bespoke to the ladies’ team, and we are hoping to see many people young and old in this special shirt.”

A big boost to Beth’s footballing success has been the sponsorship she is getting from Mark Orman and Tracy Everett, managers of Alton’s French Horn Inn as she only gets her expenses paid and has to do a lot of training as well as playing in matches.

At The French Horn, Mark said: “We are happy and proud to sponsor Beth as one of our own as she is like a member of our family.”

Portsmouth Ladies Football Club are always looking for new sponsors for players, teams and the club, which will help grow the club to encourage young talent to fulfil their dream.