Jill Scott named new A League Of Their Own captain
- England Lioness football star Jill Scott will be the new team captain on panel show A League Of Their Own
- She says: "The banter has already started and I know I will get a lot of stick when I kick off my tenure as a team captain"
- Rival team captain Jamie Redknapp comments: "I can't wait to go head to head with her each week"
Footballer Jill Scott will be the new team captain on sports-based panel show A League Of Their Own.
The news was revealed via Good Morning Britain today, where she was surprised with a statue in her honour. The England Lioness was near the Angel Of The North statue in Gateshead where she was surprised with her own statue.
Scott will join host Romesh Ranganathan, longtime captain Jamie Redknapp and regular panellist Micah Richards on Series 18 of the entertainment show, which is coming to Sky Max later this year.
Redknapp has been the show's team captain since its inception in 2010. He previously faced off against Andrew Flintoff for the first sixteen series, before the cricketer left to pursue other projects. Series 17, broadcast last year, featured guest team captains.
Scott is due to feature in the A League Of Their Own special on Wednesday 12th July. Marking the World Cup in Australia, the episode sees Scott guide Maisie Adam and Katherine Ryan through what it takes to be a world-beating footballer.
Scott comments: "It's not everyday you get to unveil a giant statue of yourself. It's massive and incredibly lifelike. I could have done with those few extra feet back in my playing days! But the crowning glory for me? It's got to be seeing Rom and Jamie's faces when this lands on their doorstep in London - the banter has already started and I know I will get a lot of stick when I kick off my tenure as a team captain".
Romesh Ranganathan says: "It's brilliant to be able to welcome Jill Scott, a legend of the game and national treasure, to the A League Of Their Own family as a new team captain. And with her own statue almost as bronze as Jamie Redknapp."
Jamie Redknapp adds: "What can I say - Jill Scott, a proper champion and England hero. I can't wait to go head to head with her each week on A League Of Their Own - she might have won a European Cup with the Lionesses, but does she have what it takes to win against the Red team?!"
Micah Richards notes: "I've known Jill Scott for over a decade and I couldn't think of anyone better placed to wear the armband for the blue team on the new series of A League Of Their Own. She's the ultimate captain. I'm buzzing to start filming on the new series and am confident Jill and I will be getting the better of the red team."
Talking further about the statue, Sky says: "Standing tall at over 4 metres high, the bronze statue of footballing legend and reigning Queen of the Jungle Jill Scott has been unveiled today, with the much-decorated defender being joined by the Mayor of Gateshead and players from Gateshead FC and Boldon Girls, Jill's former teams, to mark the momentous occasion.
"With over 160 England caps and 27 goals, the Tyneside legend's statue celebrates the latest adventure in her glittering career, as captain of the blue team, on Series 18 of flagship Sky Max show A League Of Their Own. In the brand-new series Jill will go up against rival captain Jamie Redknapp, hosted by Romesh Ranganathan.
"Arms outstretched reliving that unforgettable moment she celebrated the 2-1 victory against Germany at Wembley, the Lioness, who started her playing career at Sunderland, has been erected on the football pitch adjacent to the Angel of the North, as anticipation for the World Cup reaches fever pitch.
"Measuring the height of two Football Association goal posts and weighing in at 500kg, equivalent to three lionesses, the lifelike statue adorns the former home of Gateshead FC, a club and community close to Jill's heart after starting her footballing journey with Gateshead College Footballing Academy in 2003.
"The statue celebrating the much-decorated defender will stand side-by-side with the Angel Of The North from 4th July through to 9th July before starting its southerly pilgrimage, dribbling its way to its final position, resting pride of place in opposing team captain Jamie Redknapp's back garden."