Player Story: Carrie Moore

Bristol Badgers defender and goalkeeper, Carrie Moore, shares her journey from 11-a-side football to rugby, and how she thought two serious knee injuries had put an end to her playing sport forever. That was until she discovered walking football. Carrie shares with WF4W the happiness the sport has given her both on and off the pitch.

Carrie as a teen playing 11-a-side and (right) with Bristol Badger mascot George

I’ve pretty much had football in my life forever. My dad played football when I was growing up,

and to be honest, he was my absolute idol. All I ever wanted was to be like him and play football just like he did. Most weekends were spent watching him play. Well… when I say watching, I actually mean all the kids running around causing chaos while the men tried to play football.

We travelled to lots of away games, and I clearly remember falling asleep in the back of our old estate car with my dad’s kit bag as a pillow! Looking back, I’m fairly sure the smell of Deep Heat is what sent me off to sleep every time. I have to admit that I still love that smell now. It’s basically the official perfume of football. Because it was back in the 70s, my dad never really showed any interest or encouragement when it came to me playing football. I suppose things were just very different back then. I’m pleased to say though, it definitely didn’t put me off, if anything, it probably made me want to play even more.

Whenever I had the chance, I would play football with the boys,

and luckily they always let me join in. As I got older, my dad would ask my brother if he wanted to go to football training with him. My brother, however, was far too busy saving the world on his computer. Meanwhile, I would beg my dad to let me go instead… but it was always a firm “no.”

It wasn’t until my last year at school that I discovered there was a local women’s football team. From that moment on, there was no stopping me. I absolutely loved everything about it - the training, the matches, and especially being part of a team. I played for many years until I tore my ACL during a match. Unfortunately, it took over two years of trips back and forth to A&E before the problem was finally found and I had surgery. After a second operation on the same knee, I became quite nervous about getting injured again and eventually stopped playing.

When I turned 30, someone suggested I try rugby while we were in a pub. I may have been slightly drunk at the time, which probably explains why I agreed! It was something completely different, but I loved being part of a team again. As a defender in football, it felt amazing that in rugby I could now just dive on people to get the ball! That part was great fun… although maybe a little too fun, because I ended up tearing my other ACL and needing another operation.

Carrie in goal for the Badgers

After that, I decided sport and my knees were clearly not the best of friends.

Then, just over three years ago, I was introduced to an amazing women’s walking football team, again while I was out having a drink. There does seem to be a bit of a theme going on! The team is now known as the Bristol Badgers. I honestly never thought it would be possible to play again or be part of a team like that. But after my very first training session, I was completely hooked. You never quite know what a new group of people will be like, but every single woman there was incredibly friendly and welcoming. They made me feel part of the team straight away. It made me realise just how much I had missed playing sport and being part of a football family.

I just hope my body behaves itself so I can keep playing for many more years and that my football friendship circle continues to grow.

Follow Carrie and her team mates at Bristol Badgers on Facebook