There is a saying in football that great players don't necessarily make great managers, but - at the tender age of eight - Rosie McDonnell is proving she can do both.

The little footballer has picked up a trophy after completing her first season as the only girl playing in an all-boys team in a league in Bradford.

She has also beaten off competition from boys, girls and staff at St Francis Catholic Primary School in Swain House to win the school's fantasy football league.

Her haul of trophies does not stop there - she has also just won the under tens' competition and the title of gymnast of the year at St Bede's Gym Club.

Her mother Allyson, of High Ash, Wrose, today told of her pride at her daughter's achievements.

She said: "She has always wanted to play football but when she was younger she couldn't find a team to play and we introduced her to other things, like gymnastics, swimming and dancing.

"In September, we saw the Bradford Tigers were looking for players for its B-team squad. She is the only girl in the team, but she is not intimidated by it, she loves playing and she gets stuck in with the rest of them.

"I did think the gymnastics and the dancing might have tired her out but when she got the chance to join a football team in September she jumped at it."

Rosie loves both playing and watching football and is a season ticket holder at Bradford City.

This season she has proved how much she knows about the game by winning her school's fantasy football league.

All the pupils at the school were given a sum of money to spend on Premiership footballers and Rosie's team topped the league, beating her fellow pupils and members of staff.

Allyson: "She is one of those children who always has to be busy. I don't know how we find the time to ferry her around to everything because she also does swimming and ballet!"

As well as being a sporting star, Rosie is also set to take to the stage at the Alhambra Theatre later this year as part of a Footsteps Theatre School production.

Rosie said: "I have my own football so I have practised a little bit before but this was my first year playing football in a team and I love it.

"All of my team are boys and all the teams we play against are boys but they are all right with me and like me being in the team.

"I watch Bradford City and when I grow up I might become a footballer."