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This month you have a very, very special 'Ma City' as we talk to one of the most talented footballgirls off the field. Linia Patel has a deep love for the game and has developed her non-playing skills into learning what is the best food and drink for all sports people, especially footballgirls.

We welcome Linia Patel to footballgirl.com and she tells us exclusively here about the city she calls home. London.

Which city do you live in and why?
London - it’s a life experience I wish everyone could have.

Has any other city caught you fancy where, why and what were the circumstances?
Capetown, South Africa – I went there for to study my first degree. Nothing but good times!

What advise would you give a tourist visiting your city and country?
Cycling around is the best way to see all the typical touristy things London is famous for… but scratch beneath the surface as well - London has so much more to offer.

Hang out in a bar in Shoreditch, picnic in Hampstead; spend time browsing at one of the many weekend markets etc…

What has your most memorable meal been?
Hmm….. there are so many. I love my food. But at the moment all I can think about is the juicy ostrich burger I had a Borough Market today. Yum!

What is your earliest football memory?
Zambia 1986 ish…. Trying to play with my big brother and his friends on the main road that our house was on. Every time a car came past (not very often!) we would
have to all run off our “pitch”.

We played with a football that was homemade by the boys- consisted of hundreds of plastic bags wrapped into the shape of a ball and tied tight by some string!

If you could change female football what would you do?
I would increase the profile and the level of support (like sports nutrition!)..
offered to the players to ensure that each player reached their best performance.

What do you miss most when you are out of the country?
London? Believe it or not…… I begin to miss the hussle and bussle when I go away.

What items do you pack in your suitcase when on international duty?
Hard one. But I know no matter where I go- there is always some sort of snack/ food in my bag. I have to be optimally fuelled myself to do my job well right?

What would you do if you were mayor of the city for a day?
Massive street party for all! From the Southbank, up the Strand, up to Leicester square… ending at Buckingham Palace (so the queen could also join in on the fun!)
Good nutritious food, quality vino, top tunes and a tube that runs for free for 24
hours!

What would you do if you were footballgirl.com editor for a month
Get all the readers to tell me what they need to see and have on the site so I could ensure I was meeting them at their point of need.

What would you save from a fire?
My computer? It has all my photos (memories), years worth of work…. and my music!

What animal would you like to be and why?
Mere cat? Don’t know why… I just think they are the cutest things ever!

What is your life Philosophy?
Live, laugh, love.

Who gives you/ is inspirational to you?
People who genuinely care about others around them.

Sum up you city in one sentence?
“Mind the Gap”?!

Which fragrance or cosmetic product do you wear?
Depends on the occasion. At the moment I’m wearing Daisy by Marc Jacobs… fresh,
feminine and happy.

What is your favorite home comfort?
Pillows and cushions.

How do you unwind/relax?Yoga, candles… delicious food… good company

Thank you Linia

The views and opinions expressed in this article and from external websites and/or links are those of the author's, and not necessarily those of footballgirl or www.footballgirl.com

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