SINCE bursting on to the scene as a teenager Jess Carter has made herself a role model for aspiring young footballers.

Carter, 24, helped Chelsea to a domestic treble last season, and calls for her to get more regular time with England were heeded by Sarina Wiegman last month as she featured in all three games as the Lionesses won the Arnold Clark Cup.

As a black, gay woman, Carter breaks down boundaries, but cannot think of herself in that way.

“I think for so many of us, it’s just being our own selves and doing what we want to do and what we love, being who we are,” Carter said. “I can only speak for myself but I never really see myself as a role model.

“I just see myself as being me and just trying to be the best version of myself that I can be.”

When Carter was growing up, role models were in short supply — she was 13 when the Women’s Super League first launched.

“It’s not something I’ve ever had so it’s not something I would see myself as,” she added. “For a lot of boys growing up they obviously have these role models and then when they get there they realise how important being a role model can be.

“I think more and more now as young footballers get older they’ll realise the women’s game is going that way and that now we are becoming role models and a lot of kids are looking up to us…

“I don’t think it often sinks in until I get a message from a fan or see a fan and they are super excited. With the little kids I don’t really understand why they’re so excited because you’re just playing football.

“But in those moments you realise they look up to you so those moments are special. But I would never see myself as a role model as such. I’m just there doing the best that I can do.”

Carter took up the game around the age of five, and was lucky to have Warwick Juniors, founded by Dean Brandrick, down the road. From there, she was snapped up by Birmingham and famously made her debut playing in the Champions League as a 16-year-old.

Carter was in a relationship with team-mate Ann Katrin-Berger at Birmingham. A year after her own move, the German goalkeeper, now 31, also signed for Chelsea.

“When we go to the football we’re not in a relationship, we’re team-mates and we’re going to be the best team-mates we can be,” Carter said. “It doesn’t affect us and I haven’t been told that it affects the rest of the team either.

“I think it’s just a lot more acceptable in the women’s game. That’s my personal opinion. Whether it be supporters or players or staff, there’s a lot more acceptance for people to be who they want to be without that criticism.”