The tale of a young footballer being spotted for their talents is the dream ticket – but rarely is it a school dinner lady that does the scouting.
That’s how it panned out for Luton Town Ladies midfielder Zara Carroll with an encounter that proved pivotal in progressing from park kickabouts with her uncles to the women and girls’ game.
As a self-confessed sporty tomboy in her youth, she says she was ‘better than the boys’ with a ball at her feet and so it proved on the school field.
Carroll said: “I was playing football at lunchtime with the boys and a dinner lady spoke to me and said her husband was starting up the first girls’ team.
“It was called Kempston Rural and then it went to Kempston West End. She said about speaking to my mum after school, so she did, gave her the details and then I went to my first ever football training. There are players there on that first day that I’m still friends with now.”
Catching the bug, she then moved through the age groups with Bedford, even coaching a girls’ team for the club, which included current British ladies’ dodgeball captain Beth Dix.
But Carroll caught the eye of former Luton boss Dave Baker after putting the Hatters to the sword in the County Cup Final.
She said: “This was the first time Bedford had ever beaten Luton and won it and I captained the team. Luton had quite a few injuries and Luton and Bedford’s managers were friends, so they asked if they could dual sign some of our players, because our season was over and theirs wasn’t.
“I signed, Tasha Fensome signed, and so did a girl called Debbie Styles. I played the remaining three games of Luton’s season and I just loved it. I loved the training and I loved the higher level.
“On my first game for Luton I scored two goals against Crystal Palace and also set up my friend Tash for the third and we beat them 3-1 after losing to them at half-time.”
The 31-year-old has been with the Hatters for eight year now and their current campaign is thus far unblemished. Yet, old club affiliations made last weekend’s 2-1 Eastern Region Women’s League Premier Division victory over Bedford a slightly strange experience for Carroll.
“It was a bit weird for me because I’ve played for Bedford from when I was five until 23,” she said, adding: “I want to win every game for Luton but I still have a little bit of love for Bedford.”
Nevertheless, the win maintained Luton’s 100 per cent start to the season and saw them move to the top of a league that they hope to depart as soon as possible, returning to the National League after relegation last term. That’s where Carroll has been accustomed to playing her Hatters football.
“It’s nice for us to be winning again after last season,” the midfielder said, adding: “I would rather be up there (National Leagues) still because, honestly, is such a good level to be at. It is different to playing at this level, but I do honestly think will get back up there.
“I think we’ve had a really good start to the season, especially as we’ve got a lot of new players, playing in key roles. Kelsey (Gibson) coming in at centre mid with me, it’s a big role, so she’s taking it on really well and I think she’s improved with every game.”
And Carroll said the arrival of defenders Elly Wade and Tanya Blacksley this summer have allowed Rebecca Ferris to get on the right wing and cause havoc.
She said; she’s already having a blinder this season. She won all the awards last season because she was just brilliant, she’s just an athlete. Even Bex Kane returning, she’s an amazing player, she’s got such flair. And her movement with the ball is just amazing. I think she’s happy being back, and we’re happy to have her.”
And on a personal note, Carroll says that this season, Luton’s style of play is benefitting her game.
She said: “I feel like, because of the way we are playing, I get the ball in space a lot more. Predominantly, last year, I was a holding midfielder, which I kind of am now, but I get to go forward a lot more than I used to. I do like to bomb on.
“Last year I was glued in front of the defence. I was almost a fifth defender, because that league is so dangerous. I feel like I’m on the ball a lot more now and getting involved in creating play.”
While Town have notched 14 goals in just four games this term, Carroll has yet to hit the target and that’s something she’d like to amend sooner, rather than later.
“I feel like we’ve got a few really, really good strikers this year. A few of us, including me, probably need to find our goalscoring boots but it’s looking so good. I just really think this is going to be a good season.”
Town travel to Norfolk today to face Wymondham Town (2pm), aiming to maintain their promotion push.
