IN THIS era of opportunity for all, women are still a rarity in the upper echelons of football and in boardrooms around the country.

I have been on the board of York City Football Club for more than a year, yet people I meet in the football world are still surprised that I am a director, principally because I am female and in my twenties.

The immediate response I often get is: "So you're like that Karren Brady at Birmingham City then," and to be honest, until now, I have never known if it that is a compliment or not.

Karren Brady is the self-declared first lady of football. Read Playing To Win and you will understand why. Her determination, hard work and instinctive business mentality shine through the pages of this handbook for women who want to be successful.

Karren Brady and I share similarities, but have taken different routes to end up where we are today.

My directorship has been driven by my passion for football and primarily my love affair with my home town team, York City. In comparison Karren Brady's desire to penetrate the upper reaches of football management has been driven by her desire to be a female pioneer in a male dominated industry.

Playing To Win tells the story of Karren Brady's meteoric rise to success, becoming managing director of Birmingham City at the age of 23 and how she lead the club's transformation into a viable business with Premier League status.

However, this book is more than just autobiographical, it offers practical advice on how women can achieve success and turn their dreams into reality.

The principles of success she promotes are determination, ambition, confidence, courage, humour and charm, leadership, communication, dedication and hard work.

In the book, Karren interviews female high achievers ranging from Jacqueline Gold of Ann Summers fame to one of the world's most powerful businesswomen, Dame Marjorie Scardino, chief executive of the Pearson media conglomerate, which owns the Financial Times.

Along with Brady, these women discuss their own journeys and how often against the odds, they have achieved great success.

Importantly, the book shows how, as women, we don't have to be aggressive or difficult to get to where we want to be. It is all about confidence in our own ability and not placing limitations on what we are able to achieve.

Interestingly, Playing To Win focuses on how to manage our time at home and recognises the difficulties women face juggling family life with business careers.

The message is: women can have children and a contented family life and continue to be successful in business - and Brady offers practical advice on how this can be achieved.

Playing To Win is essential reading for ambitious women who are striving for success in their own fields.

Karren Brady's story and those of the women she interviews are truly inspirational. This is a feel-good book for women and fills you with confidence, courage and the determination to never give up even when times get tough.

Updated: 08:27 Wednesday, May 26, 2004