Helena Pielichaty (pronounced Pierre-li-hatty) is the bestselling author of numerous children’s books, including the highly successful Simone’s Letters, which was nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Her series, The After School Club, has eight titles and the bind-up, Clubbing Together, sold more than 25,000 copies in its first six months. A local girls’ under elevens team helps with the inspiration and tactical know-how for Girls FC, but Helena has been an avid fan of women’s football for many years. Football clearly runs in the family as her aunt was in a women’s team in the 1950s and her daughter has been playing since she was ten (she is now twenty-three!). Helena lives in Nottinghamshire with her husband and has two grown-up children.