Portsmouth may not have the budget of their rivals, but they are determined to compete on their debut in the Women's Championship.
In a Women’s Championship suddenly filled with big spenders, international names and former Super League giants, Portsmouth could be forgiven for feeling out of place.
"It definitely took its toll – we finished training at 9pm, I live an hour and a half from training so wasn't getting home until late, until 11:30 sometimes with traffic. Then I would be getting up at 5am for work, and with landscaping you don't get much rest time. "I had a conversation with my manager and it was pure emotion and I guess a bit of relief as well," she said of leaving the classroom behind for now.
For Younger, going professional represents a major change from just a couple of years ago when she was "buzzing" about being allowed to claim 15p a mile for petrol, and having to deal with being the butt of co-workers' jokes. "But they are just buzzing for me. I've left that work now, there were a few tears for me from fully grown men, but it feels good to play football full-time."Younger – who is unlikely to be fit to play until near Christmas as she recovers from a knee ligament injury - says Portsmouth will deal with being Championship underdogs by refusing to take a backwards step, encouraged by the front-footed tactics of head coach Jay Sadler.
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