This is more than a football first — Marie-Louise Eta has scored a win for women everywhere

The recent appointment of Marie-Louise Eta as interim head coach of Union Berlin’s men’s first team has prompted Carolyn MacDonald-Bell to reflect more deeply, not just on the sport itself, but on faith, perseverance, and what it means for women stepping into new ground.

Football has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, I’ve been to several national games for Scotland, and grew up attending games with my family to support my local football club. I enjoyed playing football in primary school, but my interest simmered as I grew older.

My husband and I have been together for eight years, and married for over five of those years. During this time, football has become a pretty big part of my life. Growing up in England then moving to Scotland in his late teens, my husband has been a lifelong football fan, and has been involved with our local league in various positions. Thanks to him, I now understand the offside rule, can name more Premier league players than I know what to do with, and am in my second year of doing fantasy football with my husband and brother-in-law. I’ve also come to understand and appreciate the game, for both women and men, in ways I hadn’t previously.