Instagram Twitter Facebook Youtube Tiktok Linkedin
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Weather
  • Registration
  • Login
Menu
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Weather
  • Registration
  • Login
  • WHAT’S ON
    • Across Liverpool
    • M&S Bank Arena
    • Exhibition Centre
    • St George’s Hall
  • THINGS TO DO
    • In Liverpool
    • Strawberry Field
    • Tres Liverpool
    • Relish Liverpool
  • OFFERS
  • STAY
    • ALL HOTELS
    • iStay Liverpool
    • Boudoir Hotel Liverpool
    • Malmaison Liverpool
  • JOBS
  • LATEST
    • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Events
    • People
    • Things To Do
    • Music
    • Business
    • Matt Jacobson
    • Sport
    • Interviews
    • Blogs
    • Reviews
    • Competitions
  • LISTEN
    • RADIO
    • PODCASTS
  • DIRECTORY
Menu
  • WHAT’S ON
    • Across Liverpool
    • M&S Bank Arena
    • Exhibition Centre
    • St George’s Hall
  • THINGS TO DO
    • In Liverpool
    • Strawberry Field
    • Tres Liverpool
    • Relish Liverpool
  • OFFERS
  • STAY
    • ALL HOTELS
    • iStay Liverpool
    • Boudoir Hotel Liverpool
    • Malmaison Liverpool
  • JOBS
  • LATEST
    • News
    • Food & Drink
    • Events
    • People
    • Things To Do
    • Music
    • Business
    • Matt Jacobson
    • Sport
    • Interviews
    • Blogs
    • Reviews
    • Competitions
  • LISTEN
    • RADIO
    • PODCASTS
  • DIRECTORY
Search
Close

In Conversation with – Sarah Halpin

April 15, 2021
|
By Editor
  • HOME
  • Blogs
  • In Conversation with – Sarah Halpin

Football, a catalyst for bringing people of all walks of life together. Whether you’re a red or a blue, man or woman the game reunites the city of Liverpool, its more than just a sport.

One person in particular who has used their passion for the love of their club to carve out a phenomenal career is Sarah Halpin.

We caught up with Sarah to talk about all things Everton and inspiring women in the industry, its certain to say the Bird is definitely blue.

At what age would you say your interest for football began and the love for Everton Football Club?

My passion for football and for Everton was passed down to me from my Dad, it’s in the blood. He was born and raised in the Dingle in the 60’s and grew up a staunch Evertonian, like his Dad and 4 brothers. (His Mum was a red and so is his sister) but I’m Everton to my core. I grew up with my Dad telling me stories of those great title winning sides from the 60’s and 80’s.

The Holy Trinity, Joe Royle, Sharpy, Reidy, Kev Ratcliffe, Sheedy, Degsy Mount..the list goes on. The stories of him being at Goodison seeing the Toffees clinch the league, winning the cup final at Wembley and of course Rotterdam. His Dad even made an old bench that they would hook over the wall in The Gwladys street for him and his brothers to climb on to get a better view of the game back before the grounds were seated. I loved it all! I first started going to watch the Blues in the late 90’s and have had a season ticket at Goodison ever since.

Is there a particular game or season as an Everton fan that inspired you to be more involved in the football scene?

I am lucky enough to have witnessed some special moments in that ground. I could never forget THAT Wayne Rooney goal against Arsenal, but a season that stands out for me was 2004/05 when we had just sold Rooney, we were tipped by a lot of people to be fighting relegation that season, we brought in players like Tim Cahill, Marcus Bent etc and against all odds we secured a top 4 finish.

Every game that season the atmosphere was rocking from start to finish, a real sense of togetherness and the underdog coming out on top and that’s why it meant so much, we were all together. That season I saw us win the derby at Goodison with that Lee Carsley strike, beat United with a Duncan Ferguson Gwladys Street header under the lights to name a few. Goodison was electric, it was a special season.

Another is the moment Phil Jagielka’s penalty hit the back of the net at Wembley to send us through to the final, that was a special moment. I’d also say the first season under Roberto Martinez, some of the best football I’ve seen from Everton was played that season.

Your love for the blues has seen you carve out a career in the industry, even winning an award for Best Women’s Football Content Creator, as well as being a finalist for an award for this year’s ‘Best in Women’s Football’ creators, what would your advice be to inspire women who are interested in the Football industry?

It’s been a bit of a whirlwind these past few years, I had to overcome and work through some personal demons and my love and passion for Everton and football just sort of developed into me doing what I’m doing.

I never thought it would result in opportunities for me in a career that I love. But the reason it progressed into something is because I have a genuine passion for it, it’s authentic and engages with people because it’s real. I got to travel to Budapest and France last year for the Women’s Champions League Final and the Women’s World Cup covering the game, and I travel home and away with Everton Women providing media content and interviews and even got to be a part of the derby experience in November last year where I saw us win at Anfield in front of some 25,000 fans.

The return fixture was also scheduled to take place at Goodison before the pandemic. I never thought I would be able to have experienced what I have done and get the opportunities to do these amazing things in these places. It is testament to how far the Women’s game has come and how it is growing. It is an absolute honour to be a finalist again in the ‘Football Content Awards’ for ‘Best in Women’s Football Creators’, following receiving the award last year, something I am immensely proud of. For any women or young girls out there who have a passion and love of the game and want to be involved, whether that be wanting to go on to play professionally or working in other fields surrounding the game like myself, then please do pursue it! There hasn’t always been the opportunities in the game that are here now and it’s only going to get bigger and better.

The game needs people who have a genuine love for it and the next generation will hopefully go on to bring it even further on and strive to make it more equal. Pursue your passion!

In Conversation with – Sarah Halpin

How has the stoppage of Football during lockdown affected you and what are your thoughts on the restart of the league?

The football being stopped has been quite difficult, on a personal level focussing on football has played a big part in my own recovery, but it is an enormous part of so many of our lives especially in this footballing city.

No matter what is going on in our lives, football is there. A routine, ritualistic in a way, somewhere you see your mates and family and feel you belong. Something to focus your energy into. I think many have missed that. On top of that of course, so much of what I do workwise is surrounding football. I’ve missed seeing all the Everton Women players and staff and the match days and away trips.

You become like a big family and I miss them all, and sadly the WSL was ended early due to the pandemic. I’m missing Goodison Park on a match day. Feels like forever since the last time. I have mixed feelings about the restart, the conversations have been ongoing for a long time and I still can’t keep up with the ever-changing rules and regulations surrounding it. I just hope that everyone stays healthy first and foremost that is the concern.

But I can’t pretend that the thought of seeing Everton play again isn’t making me a bit happy, especially given how hard of a year it’s been for everyone, seeing the teams we love back in action is a welcome distraction. We are all aware that without fans it is nothing like the same and doesn’t feel right really, but I’ve no doubt that most will still be watching on. From Everton fans point of view though I think we are looking forward to next season with Carlo Ancelotti and what the team will look like then.

Bragging rights and rivalry aside, how will you feel if Liverpool FC win the title in the coming weeks?

To be honest, there has been such a massive lead in the league that it hasn’t really been a title race for the past months, so it feels as though it’s already done, especially after the huge break in the season.

Like every Blue nose, I know many reds and they will certainly be gloating to us for a while as expected but in all honesty my focus is on Everton and what we’re going to do over the next few years. We now have one of the best managers in the world in charge at the club and a ground-breaking stadium on Bramley- Moore Dock on the horizon so hopefully we can focus on Everton success in the coming seasons.

Lastly in all your years of being a blue, who is your favourite player to wear the Everton shirt?

This is a tough one! I have been enough lucky to see some great players in the royal blue. Technically, Mikel Arteta is one of the best I have seen play, I also loved the pairing of Gravesen and Carsley in the midfield and Bainsey and Pienaar down the left. Leon Osman was criminally underrated as well.

Lukaku’s goals were great when he was with us and Richarlison has the potential to be a legend here, but my favourite 2 would be between Duncan Ferguson and Tim Cahill. I idolised them both growing up, and still do! The passion, love, determination and will to give everything for that badge is what it means to be Everton. They’d usually get carded, score or both when they played, and they scored some of the most memorable Everton goals I’ve seen! Too difficult to choose between the 2 for me.

READ MORE: In conversation with – Ian Maloney Love Follow Conquer

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Email
Print

THE LATEST

Paris Fan Meeting Point confirmed by Liverpool FC for Champions League final
25 May 2022
Liverpool FC can confirm there will be an official open-air fan meeting point in Paris…
Huge free NFT meet-up heads to Pins Social Club showcasing local Liverpool artists digital artwork
25 May 2022
A huge, free NFT meet-up is heading to Pins Social Club to showcase local Liverpool…
Strawberry Field announce the return of its iconic Garden Fete
Strawberry Field announce the return of its iconic Garden Fete
25 May 2022
Iconic Strawberry Field Garden Fete, much loved by John Lennon, to return as part of…
Modern Craft Beer Festival returns to Liverpool this summer
Modern Craft Beer Festival returns to Liverpool this summer
24 May 2022
The Craft Beer Expo returns to Liverpool this summer, showcasing the best of World beer with…
Leading vintage clothing retailer 'The Vintage Store' heads to Liverpool ONE
Leading vintage clothing retailer ‘The Vintage Store’ heads to Liverpool ONE
24 May 2022
Leading vintage clothing retailer, The Vintage Store set to open at Liverpool ONE the end…
Epic Doctor Who mural unveiled at World Museum Liverpool
24 May 2022
An epic mural depicting icons from Doctor Who landing in Liverpool has been unveiled at World Museum,…
Brand new woodland zip and bigger play area heads to Speke Hall
23 May 2022
Playtime has just got bigger and better as Speke Hall opens new 30-foot-long zip wire and…
Liverpool welcomes new relaxing rooftop Shisha bar 'Blush Rooftop Garden' this summer
Liverpool welcomes new relaxing rooftop Shisha bar ‘Blush Rooftop Garden’ this summer
23 May 2022
The team behind Pub Invest Group are preparing to launch Blush Rooftop Garden, above the…

WhatsAppenin LIVERPOOL

Receive WhatsApp notifications about the latest big news, events, offers, competitions and much more!

SIGN UP NOW

At Explore Liverpool we are all about bringing you everything the Liverpool City Region has to offer and more!

Useful Links

  • Liverpool Map
  • FAQs Liverpool
Menu
  • Liverpool Map
  • FAQs Liverpool

Stay In The Loop

Stay up to date with all the latest news, articles, events, and offers from across Liverpool!

© 2022 Explore Liverpool

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Menu
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
SettingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Change Location
Find awesome listings near you!