Q&A: 'Five Minutes With' Fran Kitching, the talented goalkeeper for Crystal Palace Women with Rotherham roots

FRAN KITCHING is the goalkeeper for Crystal Palace Women. Fran, from Maltby, started out at Chelsea and had two years at Liverpool and two years at Sheffield United before moving down to Palace last year. She has made her mark there, keeping seven clean sheets and making several vital saves to help the Eagles to a top-five finish in the Championship last term. Fran was voted Palace’s Player of the Season as a result.
By David Beddows
Published 27th Jul 2023, 11:41 BST
Updated 27th Jul 2023, 13:16 BST

FRAN KITCHING is the goalkeeper for Crystal Palace Women. Fran, from Maltby, started out at Chelsea and had two years at Liverpool and two years at Sheffield United before moving down to Palace last year.

She has made her mark there, keeping seven clean sheets and making several vital saves to help the Eagles to a top-five finish in the Championship last term.

Fran was voted Palace’s Player of the Season as a result.

YOUR FIRST SPORTING MEMORY

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Playing football in the garden with my older brother and getting pushed into the goal trying to save his shots!

​BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR CAREER SO FAR AND WHY

Emma Hayes. She gave me my first professional contract at Chelsea and taught me how to be a professional, have standards and always stay grounded.

 

FAVOURITE FOOTBALLER AND WHY

Edwin Van der Sar. I grew up watching him play for Manchester United and always thought he was one of the best goalkeepers around. He inspired me when I first started playing.

​BEST THING ABOUT BEING A GOALKEEPER

Making amazing saves that can literally win games for your team. It gives you a buzz that cannot be replicated!

AND THE MOST FRUSTRATING?

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Can’t control what happens further up the pitch, haha! And also making a save and someone tapping in the rebound is very frustrating.

 

HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR

Winning my first ever Golden Glove at Sheffield United in 2021.

AND THE LOWLIGHT

Managing a really bad head injury I sustained in 2020.

MOST UNUSUAL INCIDENT IN A GAME

Before a game I once walked past my mascot and forgot to hold her hand. She ended up running after me!

FAVOURITE GROUND

Bramall Lane. It’s in my home town and always get lots of fans there, including family and friends.

FAVOURITE OTHER SPORT

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I used to play rounders for England and really enjoyed that!

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF WE DON’T KNOW

I own a scrunchie business and make various scrunchies for people to match their outfits/football kits - keeping the girliness in football!

GUILTY PLEASURE

Love island

FAVOURITE MUSIC

R&B - bit of Drake or also Motown. Reminds me of my dad when I’m missing home.

FAVOURITE TV PROGRAMME

Manifest on Netflix

FAVOURITE FOOD

Chinese

UNFULFILLED AMBITION

To have a family of my own!

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE IN YOUR CAREER IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME

To play in the WSL (Women’s Super League) and be thriving. Also, to play international football.

​ENGLAND AND THE 2023 WORLD CUP,  YOUR PREDICTION…

It’s coming home.

Related topics:Maltby