Kirsty Taylor on poetry, football and finding your voice
Meet Bradford poet, writer and theatre-maker Kirsty Taylor.
Published: November 6, 2025
Poet, writer and theatre-maker Kirsty Taylor has created a new poem for Bradford 2025's Local Stories for Learners, celebrating Bradford’s legacy in women’s football. We caught up with her to talk about her creative practice, her inspiration and why telling local stories matters.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your creative practice?
I’m a writer, poet and theatre-maker from BD4. I love writing about people and place – mostly Bradford – and I really believe in storytelling as a tool for connection.
My work changes every week. One day I might be out delivering a poetry workshop, the next I’m writing a commission for a specific cause, performing live on stage or developing new ideas in the theatre with other creatives. But everything I do comes back to people and the stories they carry.
Can you talk us through the piece you created for the Changing the Game pack – what inspired it?
Watching the Lionesses win the Euros in 2022 felt like a real turning point. It brought women’s football into the spotlight in a way we hadn’t seen before, and suddenly there was this huge surge of energy – girls joining teams, women returning to the game, people falling in love with football all over again.
For me, it brought back memories of growing up, playing football out on the streets, collecting magazines, putting up posters, loving kits and players – but not really seeing women doing it professionally. That nostalgia inspired the poem. I wanted to capture that shift, and how special it is that young people today get to grow up with role models like the Lionesses.
Did working on this project connect with your own experiences or memories of Bradford?
Definitely. I’m lucky to have found my football community in Bradford. In 2021 I started playing again, but had to travel to Manchester for a space that felt inclusive and grassroots. That led me and my friend to set up our own team here: The Bradford Baddies.
We play casually every week, and it’s become such a strong community. Learning about the Lister Ladies and the early history of women’s football in the city has made me feel even prouder – like we’re part of something bigger.
Why do you think it’s important for young people to explore local stories and histories?
It’s essential. Bradford’s history is full of battles that shaped the freedoms we have today. And when you zoom in on the individuals – the acts of rebellion, the iconic moments – that’s where it really comes alive. Learning about where you’re from helps you feel more connected. It builds pride. It shows you that you’re part of something.
What would you hope a learner or educator might feel or think when engaging with your piece?
I’d love for it to show that poetry doesn’t have to sound a certain way. It can sound Bradford-y. It can sound like you.
We often feel pressure to be ‘poetic’, but for me, poetry is in the everyday – in how we talk, what we notice, what we feel. Be specific. Write what you know. There’s beauty in the detail.
Where can we follow what you’re up to next?
Find me on socials at @kirstybratfud.