Head in the game
When postie, Siobhan Wilson, isn’t delivering letters, you’ll find her training with Crystal Palace Women three times a week.
Siobhan fell in love with football as a child. By 14, she was a league and cup winner playing as a defender for Tottenham Hotspur Ladies Under-18s.
She so impressed scouts from Clayton State University in the United States that she gained a two-year scholarship there, studying and playing professionally, before moving to Georgia State University where she continued to play at the top level of college football.
‘It was amazing to study and play at a professional level for five years, and not have to pay any bills!’ she said.
Siobhan went on to play for professional teams in Italy after her time at university. She also played in the top-flight in Spain, going up against Primera División giants, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, where she even played against winger Toni Duggan, who also plays for the England national team.
The London-native returned to her home city last year and now plays for Crystal Palace Women after a spell with Charlton Athletic.
‘I just wanted to settle somewhere and needed to find a job that could fit around football training,’ she said. ‘Working for Royal Mail offers me that flexibility.’
‘Siobhan has taken to the work like a duck to water,’ said delivery line manager Steve Bowley. ‘She’s an asset to the team.’
Did you know?
Football runs deep in Siobhan’s family as her dad is none other than former Manchester City, Chelsea, QPR and Tottenham Hotspur left-back, Clive Wilson.
Clive was a member of the Manchester City youth team, which lost to Aston Villa in the 1980 FA Youth Cup Final. He made his first team debut in a League Cup tie against Stoke City in October 1981.
Speaking of her Dad, Siobhan said: ‘He is very critical of me, but I know he does it out of love. I could score 10 goals in one game and he would still tell me what I need to do better, but he has always been like that with me even when I was younger, so I’m used to it.
‘I appreciate every piece of advice he gives me because he’s been in my position and experienced what’s it’s like playing at the top level himself.’
