IN the aftermath of the recent terror attacks in America, England Ladies soccer star Kelly Smith revealed how she was close to tears when boarding a flight from America to attend an England training session.

The 23-year-old from Garston, has just finished her first year as a professional playing for Philadelphia Charge, in the inaugural WUSA league, and was returning across the Atlantic for the recent World Cup qualifier against Germany.

"It's a very sad time over there," said the former Francis Combe School pupil. "I didn't think the situation had affected me - but when when I was about to board the plane I got so tearful. I was scared to get on the plane, thinking maybe it would come down and hit Big Ben or something.

Smith, who has spent five years in America pursuing her footballing career, gave a first-hand insight into the security measures currently deployed following the terror attacks:

"There were sniffer dogs and policemen walking around. I got my bags checked twice before I got onto the plane, and I got searched. They made me open my camera lens and made me press a button on my mobile phone I don't know why. It was the tightest security I've ever witnessed."

On the day of the terror attacks, Smith revealed how she was due to meet with her agent in New York City.

"I was supposed to meet with him at one o'clock and everything happened at nine o'clock. "I didn't hear from him until ten o'clock that night. But no one could call in or out of New York because the phone lines were so busy. Eventually he called to tell me he was ok."

Smith has donated an autographed England shirt to a memorabilia raffle which BigSoccer.com is holding for the New York firefighters.

October 11, 2001 20:33

Kevin Affleck