Real-life Gregory's Girl Maisie Symonds is showing the boys how it's done – by becoming the first girl ever to join the Ebbsfleet boys' team.

Not only has the 10-year-old schoolgirl played for Chelsea, but she has now been selected to join the Ebbsfleet boys, Gravesend District A Team and the Kent FA girls' development squad.

And if that wasn't enough, she slips on her football boots and plays for both the boys' and girls' teams at school.

Proud mum Emma, of Livingstone Road, Gravesend, said: "She's been into football since she was about five.

"She went along to watch her older brother playing and wanted to do it. She played for the Northfleet Eagles under-sevens, eight and nine boys.

"We then took her up to Chelsea to play last season for the under-nines development squad where she was voted best player.

"They wanted her to train up there for three days a week but she left because she wanted to play boys' football."

She added: "Maisie also went to the Gillingham Centre of Excellence and was offered a position but opted for Ebbsfleet.

"She has also accepted a place at the Kent FA in the girls' development squad.

"I'm really proud of her and I hope she is a bit of an inspiration to other girls who might like to take football up. She's come a long way."

The St John's primary school pupil, who supports Chelsea, trains throughout the week, as well as playing for the Gravesham district on a Sunday.

Maisie said: "I'm really excited to play in the team and I’d like to see more girls playing football."