Who said football is a man's world? Gemma Stuart is proving her chauvinist critics wrong as manageress of men's pub team Dor've Phlatseo.

The 22-year-old daughter of long-serving Albion physio Malcolm Stuart is fighting a relegation battle in Sussex Sunday League Division Seven and last weekend guided her team to only their second win of the season and first clean sheet.

Gemma took over the reserve team in September with midfielder John Paine - and the 3-0 victory against Accountancy Additions was her first solely in charge.

And the Portslade-based football fanatic has enjoyed the full respect of her men and they listen to her commands throughout matches and during team talks.

She said: "I was nervous at the start of the season, but the lads have been terrific to work with and never given me any problems. I have their full backing. Now I can relate to how managers up and down the country feel. You become attached to the team and when things go wrong you take it personally."

Dor've Phlatseo decided to reintroduce a second string this season and because John plays it was decided they needed someone running the team from the touchline.

And Gemma was quick to offer her services.

Her boyfriend Danny Norris, who is club secretary and plays on the left wing, explained: "We had so many lads signed on last season who weren't getting a regular match, so we opted to enter a reserve team into the league.

"Gemma has always been coming to watch us and is extremely knowledgeable, which is understandable when you consider Malcolm Stuart is her dad. It seemed the right decision to appoint her and Gemma was keen."

Gemma has always been opinionated when it has come to football and her voice is often heard the most in any conversation about the game. She is exactly the same in her capacity as Dor've Phlatseo manageress - but John admits no-one dares not to listen to her team talks or touchline commands.

He said: "Gemma does raise her voice, but gets her point across very well. You have to give her credit for that. There is logic behind everything she says. Gemma does know what she's talking about and the lads know that.

"It isn't a case of her shouting and screaming though. She is no different from any other good manager, apart from being a girl. Gemma is always the first to encourage players and praise them when they do well."

Gemma occasionally has to endure the usual chauvinistic remarks from other teams. One of the favourites is "you know when you're playing Sunday league football when the Doris turns up."

But she said: "I reckon some of the other teams wouldn't mind being managed by a woman."

If you know of any men's teams managed by a lady then please contact us on 01273 544544 or via e-mail at justin.allen@argus-btn.co.uk