Lenna Gunning-Williams shares her unique football journey

Lenna Gunning-Williams is a forward for Tottenham Hotspur. She is known not just for her football talent but also for her role in the popular CBBC drama, Jamie Johnson. In the show, she played Jack Marshall, a girl who aimed to become a professional footballer while playing with boys. Gunning-Williams began her career later than most players, starting to play academy football in her mid-teens. Before that, she balanced grassroots football with acting. Her time on Jamie Johnson included memorable moments, like a training session at St George’s Park with famous England players. Today, she trains at the same pitch where she filmed scenes for the show, marking a full-circle moment in her journey. Her character on the show was introduced in a way that mirrored her real-life ambitions. After her exit from Jamie Johnson, which she requested, she joined Tottenham’s academy. Gunning-Williams pursued football rather than acting, despite being recognized as Jack Marshall by fans who grew up watching her. At 20, she is making her mark in professional football. She was scouted by Tottenham during her teenage years and scored on her first-team debut in a League Cup match against Coventry in 2022. After a successful loan at Ipswich, where she scored 14 goals, she is now a key player for Spurs. Gunning-Williams enjoys building relationships with her teammates, learning from their experience as she continues to grow in her football career. She believes Jack Marshall would admire her current achievements, envisioning that her on-screen character would even have a poster of her in her room.