As a child, you wouldn’t catch me playing with Barbies. No, I was engrossed by football; begging to be allowed to stay up and watch Mexico ’86, and remaining glued to the television set throughout Italia ’90. I didn’t just love the beautiful game though, I got it. I understood the rules; I knew about formations and I had my views on man-to-man and zonal marking.

Kay interviewing Italian footballer Fabio Cannavaro

It’s only recently that I have realised that I am not alone in my passion for football; a new generation of female fans has emerged and they’re anything but WAGs. I first came across Kay Murray, the self-styled Football Barbie when she appeared on a television screen in a café in Madrid, presenting a report for Real Madrid TV. I began to read her blog and follow her on Twitter, and last month finally met Kay to talk about about her career in sports journalism and our love of football.

Meeting in a bar in Madrid’s La Latina district, when Kay walked in she looked every bit as glamorous as she does on screen. Beautiful, smart and quick-fire funny, Kay’s devotion to football is evident: it’s the raw passion, the togetherness, the optimism and the belief that, with hard work and perseverance, you can overcome anything and fulfill your potential.

When did you fall in love with the beautiful game?

I began to take an interest in football at a very young age thanks to the influence of my Granpop, who used to take me to Ayresome Park to watch my local club Middlesbrough. But I fell in love with the game when I was nine, because of  Italia ’90. I shared a room with my sister and our walls were plastered with posters of Gary Lineker and the object of my affections: Gazza! That same year I went to a fancy dress party dressed as England goalie Peter Shilton and also wore the England replica tracksuit for my annual school photo!

Which teams do you support?

England will always be my first team, but on a club level, it´s Middlesbrough in England and Real Madrid in Spain.

What prompted you to choose football journalism as a career?

After watching the early days of Sky Sports News and seeing a new generation of female sports presenters, I knew that I wanted to work in football. I started out at Boro TV, the official channel of Middlesbrough Football Club (which is sadly no longer running), after winning a competition to become the club’s official “Boro Babe”. I managed to convince the executive producer of the station to give me two weeks’ work experience and during that time I bombarded him with ideas. My actions paid off and I was offered a job there. I went on to produce and co-present a pre-match live warm-up show which was kind of Soccer AM meets TFI Friday, but it was the reporting side of things that really interested me.

After a season with Middlesborough, I decided to go and study journalism in London. I have had to work very hard to get to where I am today, but I am proud that I have done it all the right way. Football has been a passion of mine since I was a child, and I could not wish for anything more than the job I have now

Has it been difficult to get to where you are today?

As football is more popular than ever these days, jobs in sports media have become very glamorous and a lot of girls see it as a way to get on in the television world, regardless of whether they genuinely like football or not. This can be quite difficult for girls like me, who have chosen to do this job because football is something they are passionate about. It’s even tougher for the girls who deserve to be in these positions, but are losing out to those who don’t.

Have your looks helped you or made things harder for you?

There’s no getting away from that fact that being attractive helps in most professions, even more so in television, so I work hard to look the best I possibly can. Looks certainly make things easier and people often initially assume that you were given a position because of them – after that it’s up to you to prove you’re more than just a pretty face. I try to live by “la bella figura”: the Italian philosophy of looking and doing the best you can in all that you do.

Kay on the pitch at Real Madrid

How did your friends and family react when you told them what you wanted to do? Did they encourage you or think that you were entering dangerous territory where women weren’t welcome?

From an early age, my parents told me that whatever career I chose, be it working as a doctor or in an office, they would support me. But I would not be where I am today without the unfaltering dedication and belief of my mother who has made the impossible possible on so many occasions, to help me in my quest to realise my ambitions.

She still says to me: “You had a dream from a very young age, and you have worked so hard to make it a reality. I could not be prouder of you.” I think my mum is probably my biggest fan, she definitely watches the channel more than anyone else I know!

What’s the most important thing for a young woman to consider when working in football journalism?

The most important thing to remember is that you are essentially working in a man’s world and so you need to be ready to prove you belong there too and never be afraid to have your own opinion. You don´t need to be standing at the bar reciting the offside rule to all and sundry, but you need to be ready to hold your own. Lots of men try and expose girls in this job in an attempt to try and show that women don’t belong in football; it’s up to you to show them up and force them to change their minds!

You’ve moved abroad, mastered a new language and made a life for yourself in Madrid. What are you most proud of?

I’m really proud that my boss trusted me enough to present the channel’s most popular programme ‘Extra Time’. It’s a bi-weekly hour-long talk show with three respected international football journalists as guests, so you cannot afford to lose concentration or have any flaws in your La Liga knowledge.

What are the difficult aspects of the job?

Not allowing your personal life to creep in and affect your professional life can be tough, especially if you are upset or stressed and then have to be all smiles for the camera. Generally though, there’s nothing that I find too difficult in this job. Sometimes presenting in a foreign language can be a little tricky, so I’m lucky that for the most part, I have to speak in English. It can be pretty difficult trying to interview players after a disappointing defeat when they are feeling really down and just want to go straight home. But part of this job is learning how to adapt to different situations and different characters, so you get used to it.

And the best thing about working in football at Real Madrid TV?

There have been so many enjoyable experiences during my time with Real Madrid TV, but the one that stands out most was invading the Reyno de Navarra pitch up in Pamplona to interview our players when we won our 31st league title. My cameraman and I were being chased by security guards in torrential rain as we made our way over to the area of the pitch where our players were celebrating. The adrenalin rush was amazing!

Kay getting ready to film - in heels!

You are surrounded by young, good-looking, wealthy men who millions of women fancy and would love to have access to. Does this add to the pressure of the job or is it one of the perks?

It’s a double-edged sword! There’s no denying that it’s one of life’s little pleasures for girls who like football: the fact that they get to watch the game they love being played by young fit men. It’s like an added bonus! On the other hand, some of these players are not shy when it comes to wooing women, so you have to really have your wits about you and not let it go to your head if they show an interest in you. Just remember, you are one of many…. Very many!

For those readers that don’t understand what you or I see in football, how would you describe the experience of being a fan?

Football is a drama that encompasses and provokes all the emotions you can think of. There are very few feelings in the world that equate to your team scoring a last minute winner in a crucial match. And especially because you get to share it with so many other people; sometimes one, sometimes thousands, depending on where you are watching the game.

However, the downside to being a football fan is that you experience some bad times: heavy defeats, elimination from an important tournament and, worst of all, relegation. But it’s the bad times that make the good times all the better. The passion that people associate with a football team is something I cannot really put into words, I think you either have it in you or you don’t. I am a very passionate person and not afraid to wear my heart on my sleeve, so football was always going to find me sooner or later!

Moving onto the World Cup: Which national team are you supporting and which one do you think will take the trophy home?

I am ill-equipped to answer this question as I am such a positive football fan. I think it’s England’s year, but then I always do! This year the difference is Fabio Capello; he was coach for Real Madrid in my first season with the club and I have seen firsthand how he is as a manager. Players have also told me how amazing he is in the dressing room, so my money’s on England. Luckily I am not easily disappointed so I can afford the blind optimism I go through life with!

The teams to keep an eye on are definitely the teams the Madridistas are playing in: Spain, Argentina, Holland, Brazil and Portugal. I will also be looking out for Italy and Germany and can’t wait to find out who the surprise sensations are!

Player of the tournament?

I am hoping that Wayne Rooney will be the player of the tournament thanks to his winning goal in the final! Aside from England, I would like Gonzalo Higuaín to recreate his club form on an international level, so that the rest of the world can see with their own eyes just how good he is.

Biggest disappointment of South Africa 2010?

The biggest disappointment is that I am not there, I almost was, but it didn’t work out in the end!

With footballling legend Mr David Beckham

If you were talking to a friend who doesn’t like football but does like men in shorts, which team/s would you recommend watching?

Okay, this is one for Kickette.com, but I won’t lie to you, it’s not a difficult one to answer! The two best looking teams, at club level, are AC Milan (check out Marco Boriello, David Beckham, Alessandro Nesta, Oguchi Onyewu, Massimo Oddo, Gianluca Zambrotta) and again no bias intended, but Real Madrid are a very good-looking side. I’ll save myself the embarrassment and let the good lady readers decide who their favourites are!

When it comes to international football, it’s the two countries that these clubs come from that trump the others: Italy (Dolce and Gabbana underwear adverts – enough said!) and Spain – lots of Latin lovelies in both teams.

And last but not least, can you run in heels?

That pitch invasion in Pamplona… that was in four-inch heels!

Kay Murray regularly presents Realmadrid News and Top Goals on the club’s official channel (Digital+ Channel 57 Sky Digital Channel 446). You can check out Kay’s musings on the beautiful game on her blog Football Barbie, follow her on Twitter @FootballBarbie1 and become a fan on Facebook.