A groundbreaking moment occurred for the FA Cup when two strikers made history together. Hazzana Parnell, 38, and her 16-year-old daughter, Remaya Osbourne, became the first mother and daughter pair to play in the competition. Both players are strikers for the non-league team, Hednesford Town Women. This achievement brings to life a rare dream in football, for both men and women, of playing alongside your child.
Parnell told The Guardian that as a mother, you try to give your child the best you can. She explained that the ball will be on the line, and she’ll lay it back for her daughter. She described it as if saying, “Go on, you have it.” This selfless approach demonstrates how their family bond translates into on-field chemistry and mutual support.
Mother’s Career Started at Age 11 With Aston Villa
Parnell’s football career started at age 11 with a trial at Aston Villa where she earned a spot. After an impressive game against Birmingham City, she moved there and played until she was 17. Her early talent demonstrated the natural ability she would later pass down to her daughter genetically and through training.
She then played for several teams, including Fulham, Charlton, Nottingham Forest, and West Brom throughout her career. She worked under managers like Keith Boanas and Matt Beard, gaining valuable experience. Parnell also represented England’s Under-19 team, showcasing her international-level talent. Her diverse club experience provided the foundation for her current playing and mentoring roles.
Birth of Remaya Initially Put Career on Hold
The birth of Remaya initially put Parnell’s football career on hold as motherhood took priority. She said she had Remaya, took a time out away from football, and never thought she’d go back. She just stumbled back into the game after years away from competitive play. She supposed you can never really get rid of football; it’s in your heart forever.
Parnell said she used to take her daughter along to games during her playing years. She explained it’s just amazing to see her on the pitch with her now. She added it’s a bit surreal to be playing alongside the child she once brought to matches. The role reversal from spectator child to teammate represents a full-circle moment.
Former Teammate Convinced Retired Player to Return
Parnell, who had retired from competitive football, was contacted by her former teammate, Laura Hodgkiss. Hodgkiss, co-manager of Hednesford’s women’s team with her partner Jared, asked Parnell to consider training. Jared is a former professional footballer who brings expertise to the coaching staff. The invitation came at a pivotal moment in Parnell’s life.
She recounted that it gave her that little buzz back that she had been missing. So she was playing there, Remaya turned 16 and came along to training she explained. Laura was like, “Remaya, you’re signing,” recognizing the teenager’s obvious talent. The simultaneous recruitment of mother and daughter created the historic opportunity.
Two Strikers Form Successful Scoring Partnership
Today, the two strikers are a successful scoring partnership on the field. A notable example is Parnell assisting her daughter’s goal in Hednesford’s FA Cup second round qualifying win. The match was against Bromsgrove Sporting, demonstrating their effective collaboration. Following earlier victories over Hereford and SJR Worksop, the team has now progressed to the next stage.
Osbourne noted that they’re both just so connected on the pitch. She said she sees her mother’s visions and her mother can see hers. This intuitive understanding creates advantages that typical teammates must develop over years. Their family bond translates into exceptional on-field communication and anticipation.
Football Represents Multi-Generational Family Tradition
Football has always been a family tradition for Osbourne extending beyond just her mother. Her father, Isaac Osbourne, and uncle, Isaiah Osbourne, both played professionally at high levels. Her cousins are also involved in the sport at various competitive levels. The family’s deep football roots provided inevitable exposure and encouragement.
Osbourne explained she had always just grown up with the sport surrounding her. She used to enjoy going to her dad’s games when she was younger. Her mum used to take her along to training sessions and matches, and she just enjoyed it. The constant exposure normalized football excellence as a family expectation and lifestyle.
Father’s Involvement in Training Created Inescapable Support
Osbourne added that the first team she played for, her dad joined in with the training. Every team after that, he’s kind of helped with the training sessions. She noted there’s always been a family member there supporting her development. She joked she couldn’t really escape them—even if she wanted to sometimes.
This comprehensive family support system provided Osbourne with extraordinary resources and guidance. Having parents and extended family with professional experience offers advantages beyond typical youth development. The constant feedback and training shaped her skills from the earliest age. However, it also created pressure to live up to family athletic achievements.
Mother Reflects on Improved Accessibility for Girls
The proud mother finds the current accessibility of football for young girls incredibly fulfilling. She recounted her own struggles from childhood, explaining the barriers she faced. Her brother used to play for Derby and she used to beg the coach to let her join. For the last 10 minutes at the end of training he would say, “Come on then.”
She explained it was so difficult finding other groups of girls that played football when she was young. But Remaya just grew up in it with opportunities everywhere. She said it’s nice to see that she’s been able to make a contribution to the pathway. The pathway that’s created for her daughter to be able to access now represents generational progress.
No Pressure for Professional Career Despite Family Legacy
Parnell supports Osbourne’s passion for football but emphasized that she won’t pressure her into a professional career. She stated she would never put that pressure on her daughter. She just wants her to create a path for herself and enjoy her journey that she’s on. This approach contrasts with some athletic families that push children into professional sports.
She explained that if Remaya ever turns around and says she’s not enjoying football and doesn’t want to do it, she’ll support her. Her daughter’s happiness is what comes first above athletic achievement or family tradition. This parenting philosophy prioritizes mental health and personal fulfillment over external success. It demonstrates how Parnell balances being both teammate and mother simultaneously.
Historic Achievement Inspires Future Mother-Daughter Teams
Their achievement as the first mother-daughter pair in FA Cup history carries symbolic weight. It demonstrates that women’s football careers can accommodate motherhood without ending permanently. The visibility of their partnership inspires other mothers who left football to consider returns. It also shows young girls that athletic careers and family don’t require choosing one.
The rarity of this achievement in both men’s and women’s football highlights its special nature. Playing professionally requires peak physical condition that typically excludes multiple generations competing simultaneously. Parnell’s ability to return competitively in her late 30s demonstrates women’s football longevity. Their success challenges assumptions about age, motherhood, and athletic performance in women’s sports.
Hednesford Town Women Progress Through FA Cup Rounds
Hednesford Town Women’s success in the FA Cup provides the stage for this historic partnership. The team’s victories over Hereford, SJR Worksop, and Bromsgrove Sporting demonstrate competitive strength. Progressing through qualifying rounds requires consistent performance and team cohesion. The Parnell-Osbourne partnership contributes significantly to the team’s attacking capabilities.
Their continued advancement through the competition increases visibility for this historic achievement. Each round brings more attention to their unique mother-daughter story. The FA Cup’s prestige amplifies their accomplishment beyond local or regional significance. Their journey represents both personal family triumph and broader women’s football progress simultaneously.
Connected Vision Creates Competitive Advantage on Field
Osbourne’s observation that they see each other’s visions explains their successful partnership. This intuitive understanding typically develops only after years of playing together regularly. However, their lifetime together as mother and daughter accelerates this connection. They read each other’s movements and intentions with exceptional accuracy.
This connection translates into practical advantages during matches against opponents. Parnell knows when to pass versus when to shoot based on her daughter’s positioning. Osbourne anticipates her mother’s movements without requiring verbal communication. Their family bond becomes a competitive advantage that typical striker partnerships cannot replicate easily.
