Freya Gregory on representing the Toon Army and Tartan Army | OneFootball

Despite only taking up football at the age of 11, Gregory has enjoyed a rapid rise to the upper echelons of the women's game and full international football.

Raised in an Aston Villa-supporting household, it's little wonder her dad was 'fully committed' to helping his daughter achieve her dream of playing for the Midlands-based side.

And the winger admits that without his support, she wouldn't be where she is at this point in her career.

Even during lockdown, he found a way to watch Villa take on Birmingham when Gregory netted her first ever goal against the club's fiercest rivals - something she's made sure can never be forgotten.

"My dad used to drive me up and down the country every week to games and training sessions," Gregory said.

"He was fully committed to my career, and without him and all of those sacrifices he made, I know for a fact that I wouldn't be sitting here today.

"I'll always remember when I scored my first goal for Villa during Covid, and my dad even drove to the ground, sat in the car park and watched the game on his laptop, so for that goal to come against Birmingham was amazing.

"Even though we didn't win that game, it was such a special moment for me, and I've got it tattooed on my ankle. I went on holiday and texted him at about 2am, I think, to say what I'd done, and now that moment is permanently with me for the rest of my life."

While the passion and desire to play for Villa one day was always there for Gregory, it wasn't a straightforward path and she made a move away before making her first-team debut - although she didn't have to go far.

She took a leap of faith when signing for Birmingham City Women, and while she made her Women's Super League (WSL) bow for the Blues as a shy teenager, it's a part of her career some within her family don't often bring up.

"My debut was with Birmingham, but it's safe to say that part of my career doesn't get spoken about too much in our household," Gregory joked. "The kit was certainly kept in the bottom drawer when I was at home.

"But seriously, everyone was buzzing for me to be getting such amazing opportunities at a young age.

"I remember my debut came away to Brighton in front of a good few thousand people, but because I was young and raw, I wasn't overthinking too much, which was great.

"While I'm glad to have been introduced to those sorts of experiences early on, I don't think I spoke a word throughout my first game because I was terrified. I was immediately taken aback by the pace of the game and I think I got cramp before I'd played 60 minutes, which tells you everything you need to know.

"Getting to play at that level was a major learning curve for me, and I think what helped set me up for a good start in football."

After making her debut for the blue half of Birmingham, Gregory made a dream return to Villa in 2020, and despite initially joining the club's academy set up she was soon fast-tracked into the first team.

"At that point in my career, Villa were on the rise and I had no doubt in my mind about going back to the club I grew up supporting and meant so much to me," she explained.

"I think I was with the under-21s for about six months before joining the first team and getting the chance to become fully integrated with the squad.

"It was unreal signing my first professional contract at Villa and I remember it like it was yesterday.

"Anyone will tell you that signing your first professional contract is an amazing moment, but to then do so at my childhood club was even more amazing and not many people get to say they've done that."

Gregory, though was by her own admission still a very 'raw' player and needed first-team minutes, something which weren't too forthcoming in claret and blue.

So the then-teenage winger decided to make a big decision and seek out regular football with newly-promoted WSL team Leicester City.

"When I look back on my time with Leicester, I think that was probably one of the most important moves of my career because I was becoming less fortunate at Villa in terms of getting minutes," she added.

"I was still so raw and no older than 19 when I went to Leicester, and I remember coming up against Jess Carter when we played Chelsea, and I think I lost almost every one-on-one, but I backed myself to beat her and learnt so much.

"It was great being at Leicester in a squad that had just come up to the WSL, and at that age it was all about learning and loving my football."

If playing for the Foxes was pivotal for her development, a short stint on the south coast with Southampton - and former team-mate Remi Allen - was something the Scotland international 'needed' last season.

Before joining United in January, Gregory was accustomed to St. James' Park and the Newcastle fanbase after netting in a 1-1 draw while on loan from Villa with the Saints - something which came after some tough moments back in the Midlands.

"I'd had a difficult couple of years at Villa before my move to Southampton, but despite the big move down south, going there was exactly what I needed at that point in my career," she said.

"Earlier in my career, I'd played with Remi at Villa, so having her as my manager was perfect, and she gave me what I needed both on and off the pitch.

"Playing for Southampton allowed me to regain the confidence I'd slowly been losing over the years and reminded me that I'm capable of great things.

"Every player has self-doubt at points throughout their careers, and for me, when I joined Southampton, I was at a pretty low point, but the girls were great and I loved my time down there."

It's impossible to speak to United's number 11 about her time down south without mentioning her strike in front of the Gallowgate End.

"As an opposition, you want to play in those big games and walking out at St. James' Park as a Southampton player was amazing, and that sort of atmosphere is what keeps you motivated to play in occasions like that day," she said.

"When I was standing there, I was half debating not even going to close down Claudia (Moan) because it was going to be a long sprint, but something inside told me to press her.

"Then I had to put a lot of faith in my right foot, which is another thing in itself, but it was a great moment because I had all my family cheering me on in the stands, so the whole day was a bit surreal."

Just months after her first taste of playing on Tyneside, Gregory was saying goodbye to Villa for good to join the Magpies.

She admitted: "It was difficult saying goodbye to Villa, but I think anyone who came through their childhood club's academy can find it tough letting go.

"I was quite upset for a while, but at the same time I've come to realise that things in football change and sometimes you've got to move on for the better of your career.

"If I'm being honest, it's been quite a difficult few months for me with all the changes and moving up here, but I really love the city, living in the area, the people are amazing, and of course all of the girls here are class."

Despite coming through the youth ranks with England and being a regular at numerous age groups, the 23-year-old won her first caps for Scotland this year.

She explained: "It wasn't a tough decision for me (to switch allegiances) because when you're younger and put into the England youth teams, you never question anything.

"But then I was handed this opportunity to play for Scotland, which originally came when I joined Southampton, but at that time I wanted to get settled and focus on my club football.

"I've got really strong Scottish roots; my mum is Scottish and I've got a lot of family who live up there, and it's a country that holds a special place in my heart.

"So to have the opportunity to represent Scotland was something I couldn't turn down. Pretty much all of my family lives in Edinburgh, and during my childhood, I spent half of the year up in Scotland.

"For me, it wasn't just picking a different country because of a grandparent or something further back; my mum was born and bred in Scotland, so when I get to pull on that shirt, it's an amazing feeling.

"I definitely see Edinburgh and Scotland as much of a home as I do England, and wherever I'm living and playing my football."

That Scottish pride burning within Gregory and her family would never have been stronger than on February 21st, 2025, when she was afforded her professional debut by coming off the bench in the 57th minute against Austria.

And it's since been an upwards trajectory for the speedy left winger who is now a regular for the Tartan Army and has featured in starting line-ups, but that bow will always be memorable.

"I had absolutely no idea at all that I was going on," Gregory laughed as she retold the story of her special evening. "I think I was sitting on the bench eating a cereal bar when I got the call.

"I remember standing on the sidelines waiting to go on and being so nervous that I could feel myself shaking.

"But getting to run out with that Scotland shirt on was an amazing feeling against Austria, even with it being a narrow defeat.

"It's definitely a moment for me to cherish, especially when I had people like my grandparents present watching me. I knew I was making them proud."