"It Doesn't Feel Real" – Sophie Aitken On ChallengeQ Win

When Sophie Aitken found out early on Monday morning that she was taking part in ChallengeQ, just having the chance to get onto the Vicarage Road pitch was enough.

So, what happened next was simply just beyond her wildest dreams.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” Sophie admitted to watfordfc.com.

During the eventual 1-0 win over Bristol City midweek, Sophie, who is a PE teacher at a secondary school, became the first winner of this season’s half-time entertainment, ChallengeQ.

A Season Ticket Holder since 1998, Sophie’s favourite player of all-time is Paul Robinson, while her best memory is Nick Wright’s Wembley overhead kick. 

Donning a pair of rose-gold Nike Air Max, she directed the ball with sniper-like precision through the hole in the top-right corner of the goal in front of a jubilant Rookery End, winning her £500.

“It was a dream come true,” she said. “In the middle of one of my favourite places in the whole world, to score a goal was just fantastic.

“I was nervous all first half. I couldn’t stop rabbling on to my mates about it.

“I had to wear trainers because you are not allowed to wear your boots on the pitch, and I really didn’t want to fall over!

“I just couldn’t believe that first off I was on the pitch.

“I just had the biggest grin on my face the whole time as I am sure you have seen.

“Then just to score, you saw from my reaction I was just over the moon.”

Sophie has since become something of a cult hero within the Watford fanbase, with the Rookery serenading her with chants of "sign her up" after her effort, and further positive sentiment after the clip was shared on social media.

It is not just within the Watford fanbase that she has been receiving plaudits for her effort, however.

“There has been so much around it, I actually can’t believe it,” she added.

“The kids at my school now think I am famous on TikTok and all sorts of social media I can’t access because I am old.

“Children I have never met before have been talking about it.

“I am riding the crest of the wave at the moment to be honest, it is still unbelievable and so exciting.

“I still can’t believe it - I have watched my goal about 1000 million times!”

What made the winning shot even more special, apart from the fact she was the first to complete the challenge, was the technique she was able to execute.

Ironically, nobody was more surprised than Sophie with the cleanness of the strike, who had limited practice ahead of her attempt.

“It has always got to be top bins,” Sophie explained. “My son, who is six, loves taking a top bins free-kick already, so it was only about the £500.

“When I found out I was doing it I did kick a few footballs, because I haven’t kicked a football in a long time.

“I didn’t want to make a fool of myself, that was my practice.

“But I tell you what, the ball that I struck was a lot nicer than anything I did in practice.”

Sophie, who used to play amateur football for local clubs like Hillingdon Borough and British Airways, as well as at university more than 10 years ago, has now switched to netball as a player.

She is still involved in the beautiful game in a coaching capacity, helping out with BPR Under-7 Reds. 

Unsurprisingly, she did admit she was a penalty and corner-taker back in the day, although it didn’t always go to plan: “I did absolutely sky one once in a very important cup match!”

The £500 Sophie earned for her efforts will help towards the cost of a Christmas with two kids, as well as a few extra treats in the build-up for her young family.

That is, if her children don’t get there first!

“The morning before I did, my children had already worked out that £500 divided by four is £125,” she laughed.

“They think they have got their share.”

Sophie’s enthusiasm and joy is infectious, with nothing getting a bigger reaction than when she realised her favourite player had analysed her excellent strike.

After hearing Robinson had taken a look, she said: “No way, stop it!

“No way - Robbo is my absolute fave. I was in love with him when I was younger, that is quality.”

Inspired by Sophie to give ChallengeQ a go?

To be in with a chance of being selected as a participant during the 2024/25 season, simply visit p.mrq.com/challengeQ and fill out your details.

Successful applicants will be contacted before the match, at which point further information regarding timings and a full itinerary will be provided.

Any Season Ticket holders who enter will remain in the draw throughout the season until the competition ends.