Grace Vella began playing football at Under-10 level with Skem Athletic Girls, before continuing her development through Liverpool Academy and Manchester City Development.
Her football journey has also included representing the University of Manchester, Wigan Athletic and Chorley, while she played for Lancashire during her school years.
One of the proudest moments of Grace’s career came while playing for Liverpool Reserves, when she featured in the Youth FA Cup final against Arsenal. Although Liverpool did not win the final, Grace remembers the experience of reaching that stage of the competition as a major highlight.
Her route to Bolton Wanderers came through Kayleigh McDonald, with the pair having rehabilitated ACL injuries with the same performance coach. After hearing Kayleigh speak highly of the club and its ambitions, Grace was keen to learn more. Meeting Head Coach Tom Cunniff, seeing the facilities and hearing about Wanderers’ plans for the coming years convinced her that Bolton was a project she wanted to be part of.
A composed central midfielder, Grace enjoys having the ball at her feet and playing a passing game. She likes bringing teammates into play, looking forward when the opportunity is there and recognising when maintaining possession is the better option. She also enjoys taking corners and free-kicks and getting forward to contribute goals.
Grace identifies her first touch and passing as particular strengths, especially receiving the ball centrally, switching the play and finding teammates in positions to progress the team up the pitch.
Her immediate ambition is to help Wanderers win the league. Having returned from an ACL rupture, Grace also wants to be available for the team as much as possible during her first season back and contribute towards winning as many matches and trophies as she can.
The number six shirt carries no particular history for Grace, although she was delighted when Tom offered it to her and proud to take one of the traditional first 11 numbers.
Get to know Grace
Steven Gerrard was Grace’s footballing idol growing up. With her dad and brother both Liverpool supporters, she watched plenty of the Reds and particularly admired Gerrard as a fellow central midfielder and for the leadership he showed.
Some of her earliest football memories are much closer to home. Grace grew up next to a football playing field and remembers sitting on the back wall watching matches taking place there.
Away from playing, she enjoys going to the gym, eating out, finding a good coffee and spending time with friends and family.
Grace is also the founder of MISSKICK and the MISSKICK Foundation. MISSKICK is a sports brand focused on progressing football through clothing designed specifically for women and girls, while the Foundation is a charity aimed at increasing the number of female role models within the game. She also creates football and lifestyle content and collaborates with brands across platforms including Instagram and TikTok.
Matchdays are all about routine. Grace always has pancakes, listens to a specific Spotify playlist in the car and wears her hair in a plait.
And something supporters might not immediately know? Grace also has a degree in Psychology.
Favourite food: Pizza
Favourite holiday destination: Greece
Pet: Greg, her sausage dog
Sweet or savoury: Sweet
Social media: Instagram
Ideal day off: A sauna, nice coffee, lunch and a walk in the park on a nice day