THIS time last year football-mad Danielle Gibson thought she was going to be on the treatment table for life when she underwent a serious spine operation.

But the captain of Stockton Sixth Form College's women's football team's grit and determination has shone through and now her team is going places.

Despite the fact that she has a metal rod in her spine, the 18-year-old sports studies student led her team to the semi-finals of British Colleges North-East under-19 seven-a-side women's tournament which was held recently in Huddersfield.

The team saw off Huddersfield, Grimsby and Dewsbury but lost to Gateshead.

However, the players are still celebrating because they have received a £300 grant from the Football Association to help pay for an FA coach.

The team now spends every Wednesday afternoon under the critical eye of Tom Murray, from Billingham, who puts the squad through its paces on the college playing fields.

Danielle is delighted to be playing again a year after recovering from the operation, which was carried out at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.

"The thought of playing football spurred on my recovery and it is great to be back," said Danielle.

"We are a very strong team and we all believe that football is a terrific sport for women.

"My dad was a keen player and he encouraged me to take an interest."

She has been playing since she was eight years old and supports Manchester United.

Although she has played in mixed teams she prefers women-only matches because she feels women are more competitive.