Gillingham Women’s home fixtures for the season have come to an end and with it the glittering career of their skipper Vicky Ashton-Jones.

The 2-1 win over London Bees marked the central defender’s final home appearance and it had to be written that the skipper’s first goal of the season set her side onto three points on a sunny Sunday afternoon at the Bauvill Stadium.

At the end of a clearly emotional afternoon, Vicky spoke exclusively to KSN about her day and her career and the changes in the ladies’ game across her playing days which span more than a decade.

“It’s not really sunk in,” she admitted to us. “When I posted on social media that this was my last game here, the response was very overwhelming and emotional because it’s a bit of reality.”

“But Sunday the occasion was amazing – it’s yet to sink in fully. I think when it does, it’ll hit me pretty hard as it’s been part of my life for twenty odd years.”

“You become very institutionalised in it, because it’s been my life – it’s been the number one priority for a very long time. It’s going to hit hard at some point, but it’s time!”

“I’ve loved every minute of it – the highs, the lows and everything else.”

“What a journey for me and I’ve loved every minute of it and to end on a high note like it did, was amazing for me – I’m well chuffed!”

The skipper’s early header capped the day, and we asked her if she could have scripted it. “I write my own,” she joked.

“It was my first goal of the season – everyone was saying beforehand “wouldn’t it be great if you scored” and I didn’t think it would happen, but it did!”

“It was very fitting, and I was absolutely over the moon. Ultimately, the three points in the game secures our mid table place, but to score a goal… I’m well chuffed!”

Vicky then reflected on her playing days and admitted, “if it was fifteen years ago now where I am in my career now, it’s a completely different game. Now I think that women are able to commit so much more of their time to the game and that’s where the game should be, so it’s going in the right direction.”

“So, to be part of it is something that I’m really proud of – it’s amazing where the game has got to, and it will keep developing and growing and that’s got to be the right thing!”

“I think we always dreamed when I started that something might happen in our game, but for it to actually materialise… it needed the investment, it needed the exposure, and it’s got that now and it’s continuing to grow all the time.”

“And now the quality of players coming through from a young age is almost unbelievable and that’s only going to help the game develop and get stronger, become faster to make it more interesting, attract the sponsors, attract the interest from fans.”

“It’s in a league of its’ own – women’s football now has its’ own identity and I think it’s holding its’ own and that’s where the game should be going!”

“It’s crazy and I think ultimately women as a whole, in women’s sport as a whole, is finally getting the voice and the access it deserves and should have and it’s only by evolving.”

“Ultimately, it’s what we should be entitled to, it’s where the game’s going and sport as a whole – women’s sport is growing all the time and that’s incredible and that’s the way it should be!”

“I’m going to have a break – a really long break – I’m looking forward to concentrating on my personal life for a while, but then who knows? I’m not going to be a stranger that’s for sure, but I’m going nowhere – the girls won’t get rid of me that easily, so watch this space as they say!”

Pictures supplied by Gillingham Women.