In Focus: The meteoric rise of former Arsenal star Scott

Alex Scott won trophies galore during a glittering playing career — and she is making an equally impressive impact in the TV world.

Since hanging up her boots in 2018, Scott has looked just as comfortable presenting as she did with a ball at her feet.

Read on as we turn the spotlight on her meteoric rise to the top as one of the most popular presenters around.

Gunning for glory

Scott began her association with Arsenal as an eight-year-old in 1992.

A brief stint at Birmingham took her away from North London in 2004-05 before she rejoined the Gunners and became a key figure in a trophy-laden spell for the club.

They won four straight FA Women’s Premier League titles between 2005 and 2009, as well as three FA Cups and the UEFA Women’s Cup — or the Women’s Champions League as it is now known.

Scott was then one of the first British players to make the move across the pond to America — initially signing for Chicago Red Stars before playing a season with Boston Breakers.

Upon returning to Arsenal for a third spell, Scott was named club captain and added three more FA Cups to her collection before retiring.

Centurion

As an England centurion, it is not just Arsenal where she will go down in folklore.

After making her international debut in 2005, Scott played for the Lionesses at four European Championships and three World Cups, helping them to third at Canada 2015 — their best-ever finish.

With 140 caps to her name, Scott retired as the second-most capped England player, with only Fara Williams, Jill Scott and Karen Carney now above her on that list.

She was also part of Team GB’s first women’s football team at London 2012, where they made it to the quarter-finals.

The women’s game has come on leaps and bounds since Scott’s debut and she will undoubtedly be remembered as a player who helped pave the way.

Kelly Simmons, formerly the FA’s director of football participation and development, said: “The women’s game is in a very different place to when she started playing and Alex has played a big role in that.

“She has always been committed to helping grow the game and has inspired many young girls to kick a ball or watch a game.

“She is a true role model for so many and will no doubt achieve huge success in the rest of her domestic career and whatever she does in the future.”

Trailblazer

While she was no stranger to breaking down barriers during her playing career, Scott has also become a true trailblazer in the broadcasting world.

After taking her first steps on TV during her playing days, the 37-year-old Londoner has transcended not only the women’s game but also football in general with her media career.

Scott impressed as a pundit for the BBC during the 2018 World Cup in Russia and went on to become the first female pundit to join the Sky Sports Super Sunday team.

She is now regularly seen across the BBC, Sky Sports and BT Sport after earning plaudits for her fresh perspective and insightful analysis of the beautiful game.

Scott has opened the door for so many in the industry, with several female pundits now regulars on those platforms.

A stint on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2019 also raised her profile outside of football, resulting in the likeable star becoming a regular presenter on programmes such as The One Show.

Trolls

Sadly, like so many who are the first to do something, the new ground she has broken has brought a fair share of critics out of the woodwork.

Scott has previously opened up on the unwarranted and vile abuse she has suffered as a working-class woman of colour.

The abuse was so fierce it led her to question whether she would continue with her media career and even drove her to an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.

Speaking on what drove her to that point, Scott told the BBC: “Being an athlete, you’re used to criticism. But trolling — it’s not related to what I can improve.

“I went from being on screen doing a job I love to thinking, ‘I know what’s going to happen as soon as I step off this chair’. Do I carry on? Is it even worth it?”

TV treasure

Scott will not let the hateful words of the minority stop her from continuing to shatter the industry’s glass ceiling.

She has landed regular spots as a presenter on Goals on Sunday, Question of Sport and Football Focus and is regularly linked with other top presenting roles.

The former Gunners right-back has also entered the gaming world after becoming a co-commentator for the latest FIFA 22 game.

And she has even been earmarked as the heir to the throne on Match of the Day when long-term presenter Gary Lineker decides to pass on the microphone.

Whatever her next move may be, you can be sure Scott will not shy away from making a challenging or bold move.