“We all believe that we are probably as strong as weightlifters, and that is one of the reasons I am still playing as well.
“Even in the last seven years at Accies you can see the level of professionalism under Kevin Murphy and now Gary Doctor, and gym work we now do under Mark McKenna.
ELAINE TEAMSPIRIT PROFESSIONAL
“When I started it was a largely recreational sport, but now there’s definitely a more professional mind-set. She said: “You can see the professionalism slowly seeping into the game. Hamilton Accies Ladies' goalkeeper Elaine Fleming in action (Image: James Crilly)įleming has been impressed with how the game has changed in the 20 years she has been playing, and says that bodes well for the future. “I was lucky to have the support of my parents and Ian Steele, our coach – if it wasn’t for Ian and all his advice throughout my career I might have drifted away from the game.” “We began at the Jock Stein pitches and decided to start up a girls’ team. “When I started playing away back it hadn’t really taken off as it has now. I feel like it’s a proper family and community club, and I’ve always enjoyed playing my football here. She said: “I had opportunities to go elsewhere but I’ve always been drawn to Accies. It was before some of her current team-mates were born that a 15-year-old Fleming made her debut against an Ayr side that included Julie Fleeting, and a hat-trick from the soon-to-be Scotland superstar provided an introduction to the game.Įlaine now hopes she can mentor some of the club’s youngsters and help them in their own careers. The goalkeeper will end a 20-year association with the New Douglas Park club at the end of the term, but for now she’s focused on Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie with Granite City. As the season resumes on Sunday for Hamilton Accies Women it’s the beginning of the final chapter in stalwart Elaine Fleming’s career.
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