SAINTS Women’s all-time top goalscorer Ella Pusey has credited coach Marieanne Spacey-Cale as “an influence with us girls,” – and added: “Especially because she’s a striker!”

Spacey-Cale MBE’s influence in guiding Saints to two promotions and their highest place in the footballing pyramid has been recognised across the community, receiving an honorary degree from Solent University in October.

But Saints forward Pusey has been tapping into the former Arsenal and England international’s knack for scoring, putting it to good use in the National League this season.

“To be honest she is just an influence with us girls on the pitch,” Pusey told the Daily Echo.

“She brings so much wealth in experience. Especially with her being a striker, she’s taught me an awful lot.”

She continued: “Off the pitch she brings a great vibe and atmosphere.

“A huge name in football and now she is bringing that to Southampton and all her experience, not just on the pitch but off it as well to grow a club and the women’s game in our area. I think it’s huge.

“Such a great figure in the women’s game and I’ve learnt a lot. Working under Marieanne and the coaching staff, I just want to keep improving because they’re great mentors to have.”

Spacey-Cale was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2016 for her services to football.

As well as scoring 28 times for England, she is an FA Players’ Player of the Year and supremely successful at domestic level.