In the latest edition of Stories from Our City, and following her goalscoring performance during Sunday's Sky Sports Cup victory over Celtic, midfielder Emily Gray shares her journey and why football has become such an important part of her life.
"For me, football just brings me so much joy. Since I was a little girl, I've just loved being out there running around, scoring goals and assisting. I love to watch the game as well. It's my passion. It's what I love.
''My journey started when my parents put me into the sport when I was like 4/5 years old. I joined a team a few years later called the Wombat Warriors and it was a great time with that group of girls. I just continued through the ranks, and over time realised, this is what I love to do.
''One of my biggest influences was my coach growing up, he was just a dad of one of the girls, and he taught me every technical skill that I know and still use, I still hear some of the things he would say, even today!
''My parents are so important. They definitely helped me so much throughout my journey and still do to this day. My dad is my biggest fan. After every game, I always get a text from him and I'm really looking forward to them being able to get out here and see a game in person.
''I went to Virginia Tech from 2018 to 2021, played with Nicole [Kozlova] and it was a great four years. I got my degree and competed in a really difficult conference. We had some highs, we had some lows but the college soccer experience really teaches you a lot. It was one of the best parts of my life so far.
''The thing that I always circle back to is the people that I've been surrounded by from all different walks of life. Different parts of the world. The different cities I've lived in, even back in the U.S.
''I played for the North Carolina Courage, but then went over to Utah, and that was a whole different challenge for me. And obviously the football coming over to Europe has been really exciting. I always wanted to play in Europe and to live in Europe, see what life can be like. Taking little bits and pieces from each country.
''I knew Nic had played here (Glasgow City), but I always wanted to play in the UK. Europe was kind of the first step to play in the UK, where football is the language. Scotland was attractive and Glasgow City as well. I'm so addicted to the game, love watching it, love playing it and enjoying the culture of the fans and what better place to do that than Glasgow.
''I think what makes our team so special is the different backgrounds we all come from and just how unique we are. We all bring something different to the table. Being independent definitely impacts how special this team is. It's always really cool to say that we're an independent club because, I think that sticks with people and they remember us. They respect us even more for how much Laura and Cas have done to get the club to this point.
''My biggest highlight on the pitch is obviously winning the League Cup last year, that's got to be number one.
''To win the first piece of silverware at the club for me last season was really special. It also was only a couple of months into me being part of the club so it was a really good start. The game itself was really epic - the goals we scored, the way we played as a team on the day.
''If we look back on that day, there's a lot that we can take into the rest of this season with the way we played for each other. It was really exciting and the celebrations after were really fun as well.
''The fans being in the stands - ours are the best in the league - it's noticeable for us when we go to other places. We feel our fans there and they're really loud and it just gives us the confidence and belief that there's a team behind the team both in our staff and also the fans that are backing us every day.
''I think the best is yet to come for this group this season and I look forward to seeing them at each and every game but I'm most excited about the fact that this Sunday my biggest fans, my parents, will be there in the stands supporting me, I can't wait to see them and everybody else once again.''