“I obviously went to that trial and there were about 70 girls there. Very few got picked but that was the start of my journey as a footballer. It was the best thing I could have done really.”

Progressing through the Black Cats’ academy ranks, Nobbs made her senior debut at 16 and didn’t look back. She forged a reputation as an energetic central midfielder who had a penchant for long-range shots. Everything seemed to be going brilliantly. That was, until the club’s application to join the newly formed WSL was rejected due to a lack of funding in 2010.

“It’s hard when it comes down to funding and not the actual talent coming through. We had the likes of Demi Stokes, Lucy Bronze, Lucy Staniforth and me who were all in the England system at the time,” Nobbs recalls.

“Unfortunately, to progress our games, we had to play in the WSL. I was never thinking about leaving Sunderland but I believe things happen for a reason.” What could have spelled disaster ended up being a career-defining move for Nobbs when, just 17, she signed for one of the country’s top sides in Arsenal.

“It was a very big move and a risky one with my family being four hours away. It was tough for the first four/five months. You’re not settled, you don’t know the area…I was just learning to drive at the time so it was very tough as a young kid. But I loved football so much, so you have to make those sacrifices.”

Fortunately for Jordan, she found a welcoming atmosphere and a familiar face in the form of ex-Sunderland team mate, Steph Houghton. With the help of those around her, Nobbs pressed on and it wasn’t long before she was tearing up the WSL.