This weekend, Jess Park's dazzling performance with two shots and one assist has caught the attention of all Manchester. This young Lioness, under the guidance of Gareth Taylor, is gradually becoming a superstar. Today, we will tell the world the story behind this young genius and goddess.
Everything About Jess Park
1. Started From Grassroots
In 2001, Jess Park was born in the small town of Brough just outside Hull City. Like countless other young children there, she enjoyed sports and lived carefree. Similar to Chloe Kelly , whom we've introduced before, Jess also began her football journey in her backyard.
"I can’t remember a specific moment when I first discovered football, but I do recall how I started kicking the ball about with my best friend, which was playing in parks and at his house."---- Jess Park
Perhaps gifted with innate talent, a friend's father introduced young Jess to a local boys team for training and matches when she was only 6 years old. In her days with the Elloughton Blackburn Swifts U7 squad, Jess Park quickly showcased her remarkable talent.
Playing for Elloughton Blackburn Swifts was Jess Park's highlight of the week growing up ❤️
— England Football (@EnglandFootball) September 26, 2023
Now, she's representing the @Lionesses 🦁 pic.twitter.com/kgBQAy9qTS
In confrontations with boys, Jess Park showed no signs of being inferior. As she grew older, she continued to demonstrate her unparalleled talent at North Yorkshire centre of excellence. Whether playing for her hometown team or in matches with York City, her goals, assists, runs, and skills were unmatched by players of her age group. In the 2014 National Cup, Jess Park helped her school win the national championship, the then England captain and her later teammate Steph Houghton presented her with the player of the match award.
Her coaches and teachers firmly believed that she possessed the potential to become a superstar. At just 16 years old, scouts from Manchester City discovered her in the Girls' England Talent Pathway League.
2. Young Genius at Manchester
While still in high school at the time, Jess Park would commute to Manchester City for training every day after school. However, the new environment and constant travel didn't deter her. In just one year, she showed her talent to this Women's Super League powerhouse, earning a spot in the first-team squad in her second year with the club.
It was also during this time that she became a regular member of the Lionesses U17 and U19 teams, scoring multiple goals in several important matches. Later in the 2018 UEFA Women's U-17 Championship, she was also nominated for the tournament's Best XI. Furthermore, she scored an astonishing 12 goals in 13 U19 matches.
3. Setbacks and Challenges
For everyone who has witnessed Jess's talent, everything she has achieved so far seems only natural. However, just when everyone thought this smooth sailing would continue, she encountered difficulties.
Over the four years from 2018 to 2022 in the WSL, she only made 26 appearances and failed to score any goals. Finally, in the 2022-2023 season, 21-year-old Jess Park decided to move to Everton in search of more playing time. Coincidentally, this city was also where Chloe Kelly went when she was unable to get opportunities.
"I HOPE TO MAKE EVERTONIAN DAD PROUD", " The team are behind me, and I want to do the best that I can for them" ---- Jess Park
Everton's was just managed to promote into the WSL, and they have never been seemed as a promising team. However, the fans at Goodison Park still provided all the cheers and support for the team. For Jess Park, this was not only an opportunity to prove herself but also an excellent choice to regain confidence and gain valuable experience quickly.
Fortunately, our talented forward made an impressive start in her second appearance for Everton. In the Merseyside Derby against Liverpool, she scored a goal and provided an assist, earning the team their first points in the WSL.
⚽️ Composed finish
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) September 26, 2022
🅰️ Selfless assist for Bennison
🏆 Player of the Match
Park Life 💁♀️ pic.twitter.com/Yg4NIInBpO
Following this match, she was called up by Sarina Wiegman and earned the opportunity to play for the senior national team. Fortunately, this Lionesses striker continued her impressive record from the U17 and U19 and quickly scored her first senior goal in the match against Japan.
In her 22 appearances for Everton on loan, she contributed 5 assists and scored 5 goals. This remarkable improvement allowed her to return to Manchester City at the end of the season, and renewed her contract with Manchester City to 2026.
4. Magic Continues
In this season, upon her return to Manchester City, Jess Park has started to take on an increasingly important role. In Taylor's team, she has become the focal point of the midfield attack, and occasionally tasked with emulating her idol, Sergio Agüero, in leading the team's offense. In the highly anticipated WSL showdown a month ago, her tackle and brilliant assist helped Bunny Shaw score the winning goal.
Just this weekend, she once again dazzled with two goals and an assist to help Manchester City win the Manchester Derby, becoming the shining star of the weekend.
5. Conclusion
This young, confident, yet modest attacking forward is currently at the peak of her career. We can boldly predict that in the coming years, she will become one of the most promising players for Manchester City and the Lionesses. We hope she continues to dazzle us with her performances, bringing joy to us fans. Wishing her all the best, love from hana.
