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.
YOUR FIRST SPORTING MEMORY
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdPlaying 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?
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdCan’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
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdI 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.