For Siobhan Hunter, all of these things have recently become reality.
Siobhan’s early goal gave Hibernian Ladies the lead in their Women’s Champions League last 32 tie with Slavia Prague at Easter Road and it’s a moment she’ll never forget.
“The goal meant a hell of a lot to me; I always dreamt of that when I was young. To even play at Easter Road is a big thing for me, but to play and score in the Champions League is massive and I’ll always remember that.”
As a young fan, Siobhan spent her Saturdays in the east terrace with her dad and grandad, at times even living out a famous Hibs song as she struggled to see the pitch due to her height.
“The East Stand was great because it was really close to the pitch and you were able to stand – my dad used to put me on his shoulders so I could see the game, I was a little bit too small to see properly!”
Despite now plying her trade as a defender in the Scottish Women’s Premier League, Siobhan was inspired by Derek Riordan’s goalscoring ability on her frequent visits to Easter Road as a supporter.
“Riordan was my favourite player growing up, he scored so many goals and from dead ball situations he was so good to watch. His goal from 30 yards against Hearts at Easter Road in 2004 was probably my favourite goal – I remember that one very clearly.
“Franck Sauzee was my dad and grandad’s favourite player; they were massive fans of him. Ivan Sproule was also a great player to watch.”
Siobhan’s first steps in football came in the boys’ game as a young player at Edina Hibs before making the move to all-girls football at Hibs when she was 11 years old.
“After playing with boys from a very young age, I was the only girl in the team, moving to an all-girls team was a big change for me.
“The women’s game is very different now, you’ve got some female players who are better than the boys which is a huge step-change.
“When you play with boys there’s always the odd one who says ‘she’s actually quite good’ or ‘she can actually kick a ball’, so I knew I was doing something right.
“When I went into the girls team I was playing with really good players so I knew from quite a young age that I was doing well.”
In a Hibs mad family, Siobhan says there wasn’t much chance of her turning down the opportunity to join the club, with family members very keen to see her in the famous green and white of Hibernian.
“When the offer came in from Hibs I didn’t really get much choice – I was going there whether I liked it or not according to my dad and my grandad!
“I was a huge Hibs fan so to get the initial offer was really exciting. After playing for the club for all these years now I do realise what it means and for any young player now it’s a really exciting time.”
After making her way through the age groups in the Girls Academy, Siobhan’s mind turned towards the reserves and opportunities in the first team.
When the time came to join up with the Premier League squad, Siobhan was given the chance to rub shoulders with some very experienced international players.
“I made my first team debut at Aberdeen; it was really great to get on the bus and socialise with the first team players at such a young age – they all made me feel really welcome.
“I think I only played for a couple of minutes at the end, but to make my first team debut at the age of 16 was really pleasing.
“Joelle Murray and Gemma Fay were in the team at the time, there were a lot of players who were in the national squad. To play with Scottish internationalists at that age was incredibly helpful for my development.”
Siobhan’s first taste of action at Easter Road came in the club’s Women’s Champions League tie with Bayern Munich in 2016, a night that she holds very dear.
“To have so many fans there to cheer us on and support us was brilliant. As a Hibs fan, to play on that pitch was really special and to have done it a number of times now is great.”
After watching Derek Riordan’s prowess from dead balls as a youngster, Siobhan emulated her hero on one of the biggest stages in Scottish women’s football – the 2017 Scottish Cup final.
A thunderous freekick from 40 yards made headlines across the world and sealed victory in a 3-0 win over Glasgow City at Livingston’s Almondvale Stadium.
“I don’t think I’ll score one of them again. We were doing quite well in the match – at the time I didn’t think the free-kick was that far out but looking back at videos now I can see it was!
“It was really pleasing to get on the scoresheet, but that day all round was probably the best game I’ve been involved in at Hibs.
“It was good to beat them within the 90 minutes and to win the Scottish Cup is obviously massive for Hibs – it was a really special day.”
The Champions League tie with Slavia Prague attracted 1,287 fans to Easter Road. After taking an early lead the match ended in defeat but Siobhan is hopeful the night can help attract a few more regular fans to the women’s teams’ matches.
“It’s great to see people coming out to support the women’s team. At Ainslie Park we don’t often get very big crowds, but for so many people to sacrifice their night to come and watch us I think is really nice.
“We did really well in the match so for a big crowd to be there and see it was great. A lot of the fans won’t have been to watch us before and if some of them come be back it will be really beneficial for the squad and the women’s game at Hibs.”
Women's football and Hibernian Women have continued to develop and Siobhan has gone on to make over 250 appearances for her beloved Club.
By Daniel Shields
