A PREMIER League footballer has taken on the challenge of leading Boughton Athletic to glory.

Heather Scheuber is best known as the captain of Birmingham City Ladies. But the England youth international is also the manager of Boughton and, having helped the club survive the drop out of the men’s Chester & District League Division Two, she is determined to win promotion this season.

The 21-year-old from Waverton took over Boughton last year. She is only the female manager in the league and she is thoroughly enjoying the challenge and the responsibility that comes with he job.

“I think it’s interesting because most of the team are older than me, but they listen to me and respect me because I play at a higher standard than them,” said Scheuber. “I train with them and take some of the tactics and drills I pick up at Birmingham and use them to improve Boughton.

“My lads listen to me and know when I tell them something it is worth putting on the pitch.

“I get a bit of banter from the other teams and they wonder whether I know what I am talking about, but they soon find out.”

The former Christleton High School student has used her contacts to good effect to arrange a pre-season clash between Boughton and Birmingham Ladies, who finished fifth in the FA Women’s Premier League last season. It is the second time the teams will have met having played a friendly in Redditch.

“It was funny,” said Scheuber. “The lads took it really seriously but the girls treated it as a friendly. It was a great match.”

Boughton’s training fits around Scheuber’s sessions with Birmingham and her work as a data administrator in Christleton.

She manages Boughton on Saturdays before travelling to play for Birmingham on Sundays. But she no longer plays for England after falling out with national team bosses two years ago when they questioned her commitment.

“Women’s football has changed after the FA cut back our funding and some of the best players went to the professional league in the US,” said Scheuber.

“I have responsibilities at Birmingham and at Boughton and, with the money for international players so poor now, it is not worth the hassle of finding time for yet another important commitment.

“If more funding became available to make life easier I would consider it, as I feel I am missing out on a chunk of my career as a footballer. But at the moment I have plenty to occupy myself with.”

Boughton Athletic are looking for a shirt sponsor. If you are interested contact Heather Scheuber on 07912529840 or hevsch1@hotmail.com