Share

cover art for Fran Kirby "Biggest Regret" With Emma Hayes | Close To Retiring When Ill | Body Image Issues

Boots, Balls & Bras

Fran Kirby "Biggest Regret" With Emma Hayes | Close To Retiring When Ill | Body Image Issues

Fran Kirby joins Fara Williams for our latest episode of Fara Meets, discussing her career so far. She speaks out on her "biggest regret" while at Chelsea, nearly being forced to retire early due to illness, and ongoing issues in the women's game around positive body image.


All of this, plus her dream 5-a-side team and what's next for her in the game of football! Fran deep dives into the issues surrounding the women's game currently, as well as revealing which player she's "devastated" she never played with.


Be sure to like, comment and subscribe if you're new. We have lots of exciting episodes coming up, including a Christmas special, so keep your eyes peeled for that!

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Can Bunny Shaw Be The WSL’s Best Ever Striker? | Arsenal Should Keep Slegers | WSL Relegation Battle

    50:40|
    Fara and Anita are back in the studio together, and as the WSL approaches the festive period, the pair discuss managerial shifts, relegation struggles and all-time best strikers.Is Bunny Shaw on course to end her career is being amongst the best strikers to ever play in the WSL? Should Renée Slegers be kept in charge of Arsenal beyond the Christmas break? And which sides look like their season could be a relegation dogfight?All of this, plus much more on this weeks episode of Boots, Balls & Bras. Stick around for the fan questions segment at the end of the episode, and see if your question got included!Want to be a part of the show? Be sure to keep across our social channels, particularly Instagram, where you'll have a chance to send Fara and Anita your questions for them to discuss on the show.Please remember to like the show if you enjoyed it, comment your thoughts, and subscribe if you're new to the channel!Timecodes:00:30 Anita on England U23s International break 02:20 Fara still recovering from Wembley day03:05 Renee Slegers given the Arsenal job until Christmas 04:00 Anita “Slegers has done enough”05:30 Fara compares Slegers situation to Arteta 07:50 Slegers relationship with players 11:00 Managers using a psychologist for pressure12:20 New manager would be starting from scratch 13:00 Bunny Shaw WSL stats 14:30 Filling Ellen White’s shoes, coached by Shaun Goater16:30 Anita still has “trauma” from playing vs Shaw 17:50 How do you defend Bunny Shaw?20:00 What is Bunny Shaw’s biggest strength?21:30 Bunny Shaw doesn’t get the hype she deserves24:00 Why has no bigger team come in for Shaw?26:15 Is Bunny Shaw the best WSL striker currently/ever?28:30 Ranking current WSL strikers29:45 Ranking best WSL strikers of all time32:10 Anita on chat with Grace Williams at Crystal Palace34:30 Can Crystal Palace stay up?37:00 Anita on mentally dealing with a relegation battle39:00 Analysing which teams could go down40:00 How are Aston Villa so low down the WSL table?42:00 Fan Question: Should Robert de Pauw be sacked?45:20 Fan Question: Are there more post-retirement options now for players?48:00 WSL predictions
  • Lucy Bronze On How To Bring Champions League To Chelsea

    57:25|
    Legendary England midfielder Fara Williams sits down with Champions League winner, Euro 2022 Champion, Lucy Bronze!In this epoisode they discussLucy's early footballing days: From shy kid to unstoppable force.Playing abroad: Challenges and triumphs across England, France, and Spain.Life as a Lioness: Representing England and the future of the team.ACL injuries: Lucy's personal experience and insights on tackling this issue.The future of women's football: Growth, sustainability, and the fight for equality.Life after football: Lucy's plans and advice for aspiring young players.
  • England vs USA Preview | Emma Hayes & Sarina Wiegman Showdown | England Squad Competitive Enough?

    41:24|
    Anita and Fara sit down to discuss the current England squad ahead of this weekend's showdown between the Lionesses and USA. It sees Sarina Wiegman take on Emma Hayes as the latter comes back to the UK for the first time as USA manager. Fara breaks down whether there's enough competition amongst the current England ranks and whether that could be the reason for their mixed form after the World Cup.All of this, plus more on this week's episode of Boots, Balls and Bras! Be sure to like, comment and subscribe if you're new to the channel!
  • Is This The Best Chelsea Team Ever? Mayra Ramirez On Fire | WSL Needs VAR? | Dream I’m A Celeb Guest

    53:40|
    Is Sonia Bompastor's current Chelsea side among the best to ever play in the WSL? Fara and Anita are back sitting down to discuss the Chelsea vs Man City early 'title decider' from this weekend's action. They also tell tales from their early days of their careers, and react to Lucy Bronze's comments in the press this week.With this weekend's games all being played at the men;'s stadiums, yet none of them sold out, can it be considered a sustainable venture going forwards? Or are purpose built stadiums for WSL clubs the way forward?All this plus more on this episode. Please like, comment and subscribe if you haven't already
  • When Do You Know Your Time Is Up? How Fara Williams Got Treated By Phil Neville?

    45:35|
    Join Fara Williams and Anita Asante as they discuss Steph Houghton's Treatment, Arsenal's Revival, and WSL Predictions!We discuss Sarina Wiegman's handling of the Lionesses and how Fara's international career came to an end. Arsenal's Resurgence: Renee Slegers' positive influence and the team's impressive form.WSL's Growth: Is the women's game moving in the right direction?Gameweek 8 Predictions and we answer your fan questions!Don't miss this exciting episode!
  • Are Man United Challengers? | Arsenal Lacking Purpose & Are Everton Doomed? | Tullis-Joyce Best GK?

    44:52|
    Boots Balls and Bras is back after the international break to talk all things WSL. Manchester United have started the season very well, and the pair sit down to discuss their chances in the league this season. Has Phallon Tullis-Joyce stepped up after Mary Earps left the club? And how far can they push the big three in this campaign?Fara and Anita breakdown the two main strugglers this season - Anita's former team Aston Villa and Fara's former employers Everton! They also question Arsenal's purpose as well as why Rosa Kafaji should be starting for the manager-less Gunners.Be sure to watch until the end to see if your fans questions got answered! And fire in your questions for both Anita and Fara via our Instagram!Like, comment and subscribe if you're new!
  • Does The WSL Need Goal Line Technology? | Chelsea’s Winning Mentality | Nikita Parris Deserves England Callup?

    36:29|
    Fara and Anita are back discussing all the major talking points from this weekend's WSL games! The pair break down if the women's game needs goal line technology in the wake of Tottenham's controversial goal vs Chelsea. Do you think it was over the line, or did Hannah Hampton keep it out? Do Chelsea have the textbook mentality to win the WSL this year? Can Man City keep up the pace of their title challenge? And who should be included in the England squad - does Maya Le Tissier deserve to start based on form? Should Nikita Parris be called back up to Serina's squad?All of this plus tonnes more on. this episode, so be sure to like, comment and subscribe if you're new!
  • Jonas Eidevall LEAVES Arsenal | Who Will Replace Him? | Fara Reacts

    05:21|
    Huge news coming out of the WSL that Jonas Eidevall has resigned from his role as Arsenal manager. The Swede had been in charge at the Emirates since 2021, but after a poor start to the 2024/25 season, his days seemed numbered. Whether he resigned before he was sacked remains to be seen, but Arsenal need to replace their head coach, who will step into his shoes?Be sure to like, subscribe and comment if you think he was right to step down or not.