If Everton’s young guns are looking for guidance ahead of this weekend’s FA Women’s Cup semi-final, they need look no further than their very own on-pitch ‘mum’ Lindsay Johnson.
The Toffees stalwart turns 35 in May and has been a Blue since 2003.
In those 12 years she has seen a number of Centre of Excellence hopefuls graduate into the first team.
Everton v Notts County
The FA Women's Cup
Semi-Final
2pm, Sunday 3 May
Goodison Park
Click here for tickets - £5 adults, £2 children
And as Andy Spence’s side prepare to take on Notts County at Goodison Park on Sunday, the defender said she is on hand to offer some motherly advice if needed.
Johnson said: “They call me mum!”
“Unfortunately it’s true – I could be the mum of a lot of these girls.
“We have got a very young side now but we mix really well together. They are hungry and want to learn so I try and help them in any way I can.
“I do feel a sense of responsibility but the girls can more than hold their own on the pitch.”
Last season’s runners-up Everton have seen off FA WSL 1 side Bristol Academy and Premier League high-flyers Charlton Athletic to reach the last four.
They are now just one game away from an appearance at Wembley Stadium, but Johnson, a key member of the Everton team that won The Cup in 2010, is wary of the threat Notts County will pose.
She said: “They have got a number of England players with a lot of experience and they are gelling quite nicely so it will be a very difficult game.
“I really rate [Notts County manager] Rick Passmoor and how he motivates his team.
Notts County boss Rick Passmoor
“But we can’t get too distracted thinking about them. We need to focus on our own strategy.
“We’ve got home advantage at Goodison and hopefully we can make that count. I think we need to start well and hopefully set the tone for the rest of the game.”
Everton have garnered nine points from their opening five matches in FA WSL 2, as they look to get back into the top division at the first attempt following relegation.
However, they put last season's League troubles to one side and reached The FA Women’s Cup Final, beating Notts County in the last four.
They lost to a Kelly Smith-inspired Arsenal in the showpiece, but Johnson believes her young team-mates will be stronger for the disappointment.
She added: “It was fantastic to make last year’s Final, it was just a bit disappointing that we didn’t perform on the day. That’s not to take anything away from Arsenal, they were deserved winners.
Kelly Smith scored one and made the other as Arsenal beat Everton in the 2014 Final
“Looking back at it now, though, I think it was a good experience for our younger players.
“They know what it’s like now and they know how it feels to lose a big game so hopefully that will stand us all in good stead.
“We’ve now got the motivation to want to get there again and do better.”
FA WSL 1 leaders Chelsea face Manchester City at Wycombe Wanderers’ Adams Park in the other semi-final on Monday.
Tickets for both matches are priced £5 for adults and £2 for children and are on sale now.
Season ticket holders of all four semi-finalists, for both their men’s and women’s teams, will receive free entry to their respective matches. Notts County season ticket holders will need to contact the club to apply for their ticket.
Tickets for Everton v Notts County are available via www.evertonfc.com/ladiesfacuptickets.
Tickets for Chelsea v Manchester City are available from www.wwfc.com/tickets. Wycombe Wanderers’ season tickets holders will also receive free entry to this last-four tie.
