One-on-One
One-on-one: Natalie Crinean
Published by Gillingham Ladies Media on November 17, 2009
In the hotseat for this week’s one-on-one interview, we have Gills Ladies striker Natalie Crinean.
What position do you play?
I play centre forward, but am always willing to try new positions.
Tell us about your footballing career so far.
I’m a ‘has been’ at 18! I was involved in the England U17 setup for a while and played in the U17 World Cup Qualifiers for England, but unfortunately got injured just before the World Cup. But playing for the Gills has been by far the most enjoyable season I’ve had so far.
What are your footballing ambitions as a player?
Simple really. I just want to enjoy my football. If I enjoy it, everything else will fall into place.
You’re involved with coaching at Gillingham Football Club. Tell us a bit about that.
When I joined Gillingham I mentioned to Ian (Varley) that I really wanted to get involved in coaching. So I was offered the opportunity to get involved coaching Gillingham’s U14 girls and it’s been so good. The girls I work with are great, really co-operative and are keen to learn. They’re a pleasure to work with.
You’re one of the players who gets a lot of the headlines as you score a lot of goals. Tell us about one of your teammates who perhaps doesn’t get the headlines they deserve?
I think that because we score a lot of goals, the forward players get a lot of the credit, but I can honestly say that our back four are sooo consistent. I think they all do their job to near perfection every week. And in midfield I think Deanna Cooper is the most hard working player I have ever played with. She’ll give 100% every game without a doubt.
Picture the scene – you’re picking teams, playground style, and you’re one of the captains. Which one of your Gills Ladies team-mates would you pick first, and why?
Ah, that’s a tricky one. Can I pick three? [Go on, then - Si] OK, I would pick Bex Lyon, because she’s such a great team player and I’d also pick Deanna Cooper for her phenomenal work rate. [That's great Nat, what about the third one? - Si]
Who do you support and why? Do you get to see them play much?
I support Glasgow Rangers – because my parents support them – but I also like Man United.
Who are your footballing heroes and why?
I always liked Andy Johnson because he’s a real grafter, but I love Fernando Torres. A complete legend!
What are your career ambitions?
I want to complete my coaching badges – all of them – because I want to be a football legend, simples! It would be great to be the first woman manager in the Premier League. Yeah, I like the sound of that!