Pitchside Interviews - Michelle D'Vaz

We are very excited to introduce Pitchside Interviews - A series of monthly chats with different female football fans and players. Our first interview is with our co-founder of our very own Stilettos and Shinpads, Michelle D’vaz. Michelle tells us about what football means to her and what team she supports. Michelle was the person that continuously moaned to her fashion designer daughter that there was nothing to wear when she went to football and it was those constant frustrations that drove her daughter Aasia to start Stilettos and Shinpads.

What football team do you support?

I’m a Season Ticket Holder at Chelsea FC.

What is your earliest memory of the game?

Probably the 1978 World Cup and watching Holland they were incredible. I loved their diversity within the team.

What excites you most about the game?

I love to watch a good old derby match, you can’t beat the emotion and passion that is displayed and the feeling of winning those games are the best.

What has your experience been as a female football fan?

It has changed a lot over the years, when I first started going I felt really intimidated especially as a woman of colour but that drove me on to be more dedicated and show my passion more.  There are loads of female fans now at football and in fact, I have made life long female friends from going to Chelsea.

How does your passion for the game impact your style?

I want to outwardly show that I love football and that I know my stuff, I however don’t always want to wear a football shirt therefore sometimes I have had to find more fashionable clothes that are the same colour as a Chelsea kit.

What is your favourite football chant/song you wish you could wear on a t-shirt?

We can see you sneaking out…...I love it as it means your team is winning.