Jill Scott: ‘All those years came down to that one match’

We have just moved into our second hour of talking when Jill Scott remembers that her longest interview stretched across six hours. It was also different because, while driving alone years ago, Scott interviewed herself out loud. “I always did,” she says as she shows her exuberant character which meant that, even at the grand old age of 35, she was one of the stars of England’s European triumph this summer.

Scott retired last month after the last of her 170 international appearances (nine of which were for Great Britain) came in the Euro 2022 final when she left the bench and helped England to beat Germany. She also lit up social media when she was seen on television swearing at a German player as she displayed the trademark grit and passion of a long career which stretched from unpaid obscurity as a young footballer on Wearside to a European champion at Wembley.

Now Scott is simply having a hoot remembering how she interviewed herself on her sister’s wedding day. Late that afternoon, in 2007, Scott drove for six hours from Sunderland to London because the following day she was due to play for Everton against Charlton in the FA Cup. “Straight after the wedding and I couldn’t even stay for the first dance. I got in the car in my dress with my hair all pinned up because I’d been bridesmaid. The radio didn’t work so I interviewed myself on that journey, all the way down. I entertained myself: ‘Jill, you’ve got a really big game tomorrow. How are you feeling?’ I was practising my interviewing skills.”

The day after England won the European Championship the hungover squad were taken on a parade through London. Scott laughs when I remind her she actually interviewed the trophy as she indulged in the surreal celebrations. But