FASHION KICKS

SCOTTISH FOOTBALLER FIONA BROWN ANNOUNCED AS LATEST STAR RECRUIT FOR THISTLES #STIRLINGSHINES CAMPAIGN

Thistles Shopping Centre, Stirling has announced top Scottish footballer Fiona Brown as the latest star recruit to its #STIRLINGSHINES campaign which celebrates the achievements of inspirational talent.

One of the country’s most established female players, the 24-year-old who grew up in Dunblane, now lives in Malmo, Sweden where she plays for the internationally renowned FC Rosengard.

Fiona’s love of football was forged at a young age. From the age of 5, she attended an after-school club run by Active Stirling and it was here that her passion for the beautiful game was first ignited. Under the observant eye of coach Kirsty McNicol – herself a player with Glasgow City FC – the young Fiona’s talent was evident. Eager to create opportunities for Fiona and a handful of other football-loving girls, coach Kirsty formed the Stirling Girls team.

The investment by Kirsty Nicol in those early days clearly proved worthwhile. After two years of playing with Stirling Girls, Fiona moved to Stenhousemuir Girls. It was during her time here that Fiona caught the attention of SFA youth level coaches, and following a successful trial, she advanced to the Scotland Women’s u15 national team.

This proved to be another key moment in Fiona’s development; it led soon after to a move to the Celtic Girls Academy. The unshakeable work ethic of the ambitious teen was highlighted during this period as she balanced daily school studies with training for Celtic four nights per week; something Fiona attributes as only being possible thanks to the incredible support of her parents. Astonishingly, Fiona was still only fifteen when she progressed from the Celtic Girls Academy to the Celtic Women’s First Team, where she remained for three seasons.

A further three seasons across 2015/2016 at Glasgow City followed on from Celtic, during which time Fiona competed in tournaments including the Champions League where she and her team mates faced the top women’s club teams internationally.

Also during this time, Fiona was progressing through the Scotland team age groups culminating in her first international cap in 2015 against Northern Ireland, the first cap for Scotland of the 34 she now proudly holds. Her career trajectory has continued on the ascent since then and in 2017 she bode farewell to Glasgow City with a move to Sweden, signing first for Eskilstuna United, then after one year, to top Swedish team FC Rosengård where she currently remains.

Now, the countdown is on to the FIFA Women’s World Cup this June and Fiona’s eyes are firmly on the biggest prize of all; being part of the Scotland national women’s team as they take on England, Japan and Argentina!

Fiona is trying to keep perspective on the task in hand and admits to being more excited than nervous.

“You know the World Cup will always be a challenge but we are feeling positive. We have an unbelievable fan base who give us amazing support and thousands of fans regularly travel to our games which makes a massive difference.

“Everyone in the team has never been more ready for this World Cup and we want the entire nation to get behind us.

“The national team has been through disappointments and near misses but there has never been a problem with our team spirit. We have an unbreakable Scottish mentality of togetherness and every one of us is collectively fighting for the team.

Being a part of Scotland’s national women’s team at the World Cup will be a proud moment for Fiona and her family especially when she recounts the circumstances of the day the group draws were announced.

“I was at my brother’s wedding in Crieff the day of the World Cup draws. Half way through the wedding dinner we were all glued to the television! We couldn’t believe it when England was announced first, followed by Japan and Argentina! The wedding party went wild.

“All of my family will be coming to support the team and excitement levels could not be any higher.”

Fiona will travel with her team mates to France, this year’s Women’s World Cup host country, at the beginning of June. Before then, and in between training, she flew home from Sweden for three days to see friends and family…and to take part in the exclusive Thistles #STIRLINGSHINES photoshoot at Scotland’s national stadium, Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Speaking about taking part in Thistles #STIRLINGSHINES, Fiona said;

“I was honoured and proud to be invited to take part in the campaign.

“It was wonderful coming back home to where it all began, and having the opportunity to revisit Hampden Park was particularly special.

“This is the first fashion shoot I have done but I loved every minute of it. It was a real treat being styled by the team at Thistles and showcasing the new season collections.”

Gary Turnbull, Centre Director of Thistles added;

“What an inspiration Fiona is. She is a wonderful ambassador for Thistles and for the whole of Scotland.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be celebrating her achievements through the #STIRLINGSHINES campaign and wish her and the entire Scotland national women’s team every success with the World Cup this June. We will be cheering them on along with the rest of the nation.”

To find out more about #STIRLINGSHINES and share your story about a local hero, visit www.thistlesstirling.com.

FIONA’S THISTLES WARDROBE

Red pleat hem dress – Zara £29.99

Red shoes – Principles at Debenhams £15

Football from Sports Direct

Skinny stonewashed jeans £25.99

Blue tweed look jacket £69.99

White tee £12.99

White trainers £25.99

All from Zara

Face print tee – Miss Selfridge at Debenhams £14

Mustard suit jacket £35 and matching trousers £20 – Dorothy Perkins at Debenhams

Chunky necklace £20 – Topshop

Half moon wicker bag – Topshop £35

Coral wide leg trouser £46

White top with gold buttons £26

Gold hoop earrings £10

All from River Island

Navy shoes – Principles at Debenhams £35

Make up – Urban Decay at Debenhams

Hair – Trade Secret