'Firefighting prepares me for the football pitch'

Bow Jackson says the two jobs complement each other

A professional footballer has said her other job as a firefighter provides good preparation for what happens on the pitch.

Exeter City captain Bow Jackson has worked with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service for the last seven years.

Since joining the Grecians in 2022 she has helped the club gain promotion to the third tier of the women's game.

Speaking about her two contrasting roles she said: "I'm probably exposed to pressures more than most people, but it doesn't mean I'm indestructible."

Ms Jackson has helped take Exeter City to the third tier of women's football

Jackson started life in the fire service as a personal trainer at Crediton Fire Station, but has moved into an operational role at Danes Castle Fire Station in Exeter.

She said the challenges the two jobs helped with her mental preparation.

Jackson said: "If it's a big game, I've got to try and relax and remember I'm not going to a fire - no one's going to die.

"If I'm on a shout as a firefighter, I take a breath, and think it's not like it's a big game [with that type of pressure], we've not got to win or get three points."

Her two jobs provide different types of pressure

Her football career started with Devon rivals Plymouth Argyle and has included time with Yeovil Town in the Women's Super League, along with time at Calgary Foothills in Canada.

She said she was now enjoying her football more than ever and admitted the nature of her other job could affect her performance.

"If it's a quiet week, then actually you can manage the pressure quite well. You're still getting your sleep, you're still getting the moments with friends and family,” she explained.

"When it's a busy week and you're potentially out all night, and then you've got to go to work the next day, and then you've got to train that night.

"It really has an impact on that recovery and that ability to function at your highest capacity."

As a relatively new member of the fire service she said she was known as "Guppy" to colleagues but she is regarded as "the old girl" at football.

"I'm learning so much from all my colleagues in the fire service," she said.

But at football, she explained: ”I'm the one that people are asking questions of, so I'm trying to transfer those skills across the two.

"In reality both as a firefighter and footballer I always try and solve problems with my team.”

Exeter City are at their highest ever level in the football pyramid, with record attendances in recent years.

Despite saving lives in her day job and leading a team on the pitch, Jackson remains modest when asked about being a role model.

"I'm just being me, I'm just turning up and doing my job or turning up and doing my job as a footballer,” she said.

"I've had a load of people speak to me and say how much that I've inspired their kids or inspired them and that's fantastic and it's really nice to hear.

"I don't want to take that for granted in any way shape or form."