Beth Roe has thanked her family for backing her decision to leave home at the age of 17 in pursuit of football dreams.

The Albion teenager has signed her first professional deal after impressing in WSL2 this season.

She is looking forward to the Seagulls’ biggest league challenge so far this term as they visit leaders Doncaster Belles Ladies on Sunday.

But the 19-year-old from Norwich recognises she would not be where she is now without some ambition on her own part and the backing of her family.

Roe, whose new contract runs until the end of the season, is just back from a tournament with England under-19s in Portugal.

She is earning praise and recognition from Albion and former England boss Hope Powell.

And it all lives up the visions she had when she headed south.

The right-back told The Argus: “I was at Norwich City and, in the last year of the under-17s, there was nothing to move on to of a higher standard.

“I looked around and had offers and found Brighton was the club for me.

“I started playing at under-eights, then under-tens so quite a young age.

“My family were happy and proud for me when I moved away.

“They just wanted me to do the best I can.

“I know it was hard for them but they know I was following my dreams and they were so supportive.

“I wouldn’t have been here without them.

“I moved down when I was 17. It was hard but playing football was what I wanted to do.

“We stay with host families to begin with but I’m by myself now and have got all that sorted.”

Roe was impressed by what Albion had to offer and by the thought of living on the Sussex coast as she assessed her options, She said: “I came to Brighton and could see myself living in this area.

“All the players and staff were so welcoming that I quickly felt comfortable.

“The standard of football was good.

“I played development squad last year and have stepped up.”

The challenges keep coming with WSL2 football this season, top-flight action next term.

Roe, a student at Worthing College with whom the club has an academy partnership, appears to be taking it in her stride.

She said: “It has gone really well.

“WSL2 was a big challenge but we have worked really hard as a group.

“We have become more of a unit.

“We work for each other which is really good.”

Fourth-placed Albion are four points behind Doncaster with a game in hand but a significantly inferior goal difference.

They do not need to come top to go up given they have already clinched their place in WSL1 next term.

But that has not dimmed their motivation to secure top spot insists Roe.

She said: “They are top of the table but it should be a really good game and we are ready for it.

“Winning the division would be massive.

“It would be testament to the work we have put in.”

Powell is delighted to see Roe go pro.

The Albion boss said: “Beth thoroughly deserves this professional contract.

“She has worked incredibly hard to force her way into the first team and has shown a lot of maturity in her performances for such a young player.

“She has good potential and I am looking forward to seeing how she develops with us.”