4 young women’s football stars (and potential future Lionesses) on their goals for this season

If watching England win the Euros for the second time in a row left you hungry for more women’s football action, you’re in luck. This weekend, both the Women’s Super League and Women’s Super League 2 (the top two tiers of women’s football in England) are back, with top teams Chelsea and Manchester City going head-to-head in the kick-off game this evening (5 September).

Whether you’re a seasoned women’s football fan or just getting into the sport, there’s nothing like the start of a new season to bring a renewed sense of hope and excitement to the game.  

And for the players, the start of a new season offers a new opportunity to show off their skills to the world – especially for young players who are still finding their feet at the start of the careers. So, to celebrate the start of the WSL and WSL2 seasons, we spoke to four young players (and potential future Lionesses) about their goals for the season and how they’ve been preparing for it all. 

Lenna Gunning-Williams, 20

Tottenham Hotspur and England under-23s

“I was about four years old when I joined my first football team – a boys team – and I absolutely loved it. I stayed on the same team until I was 11, when I went over to the girls’ side of the club. And I was 15 when I had a trial for Spurs under-16s. Weirdly enough, I didn’t actually want to go – I was happy with my team and content about where I was. But my dad made me go along because he knew it was a good opportunity, and I absolutely loved it. I ended up playing for the Spurs under-16s for the following season – I think I scored something like 44 goals. I peaked at 16!

“I then went on to the under-21s and got my first taste of academy football before signing my first professional contract at age 18. I then went out on loan to Ipswich for a season before playing with the first team last season; this season will be my second season as a full-time first-team player.

“I think the WSL is the best league in the world. To be getting any minutes – whether that’s five, 10, 45 or 90 – in the best league in the world is all valuable, and as a young player, it’s really exciting. Never in a million years did I think, when I first joined this club at 15, that I would progress through the ranks and get a professional contract here. All the senior girls knew me from when I was in the academy, and everyone brings something different to me in terms of advice and support, so to be training alongside them now as a full-time player is a wholesome experience.

“Playing with the England under-23s last season also added another layer to my game. This season, I really hope to get as much exposure as possible to the WSL and be fit and consistent for Spurs, but I also want to be fit and consistent so I’m on my mark when selections happen for the England team.

“Goals-wise, I had a couple of league appearances last year, but this year I really want to become an established player, whether that’s through starting games or being the first attacking sub. I’m really going to hold myself accountable to that and perform in training, so there should be no reason why I can’t achieve those things. I know it all comes down to me and my work ethic.” 

Isobel Goodwin, 22

London City Lionesses and England under-23s

“I first started playing football when I was five years old – my twin brother, my older brother, my dad and I were all football mad, so when I could start playing, my twin brother and I joined a local team. He didn’t really enjoy it, but I loved it. From there I worked my way up to Derby girls – where I played for five years – before going into the Birmingham academy and then the Aston Villa academy. I got my first professional contract there before going out on loan to Coventry and then Sheffield United. And last season, I joined London City Lionesses.

“I had a lot of injuries during my youth career, and being on the sidelines taught me a lot of resilience. From the ages of 16-20, I was non-stop injured, so I had to learn never to give up. Now, I think I’ve gotten the opportunity to prove myself, and hopefully those injuries are behind me.

“I’m excited to play in the WSL. I wouldn’t class the time I spent in the WSL with Villa as a proper experience, so I’m looking forward to getting the chance to prove myself in this league. I’ve spent the last couple of seasons in the WSL2 preparing, so this is the perfect next challenge.

“A lot of amazing players have joined London City Lionesses over the summer, so I’m excited to play alongside them. Daniëlle van de Donk is a great player on and off the bench – I love her. Nikita Parris is someone I want to learn from as well, as she’s a fellow striker. Teyah Goldie (my housemate) also joined from Arsenal after being with us on loan last season, and having that connection with her and my other friends here has been so important. I love all the girls here – it’s a great group.

“My main goal for this season is to make a name for myself in the WSL. In the next few years, I want to be pushing for a role in the England senior squad, so I want to prove myself and take each day as it comes. But mostly I’m just excited to see what happens.” 

Lexi Lloyd-Smith, 22

Bristol City and England under-23s

“My mum wasn’t sure about me playing football at first, but I ended up going along to a session at my local club because I wanted to follow in my brother’s footsteps. It was a long process of proving myself – I remember during the first few sessions, the boys wouldn’t even pass me the ball – but by the end of my time there, I was captain of the team. I feel like that experience has really shaped me into who I am today – it taught me to persevere and keep going even if I have blips.

“Winning the Young Player of the Season award last year was an unreal feeling – I can’t really put it into words. I lost my brother at the start of the year, and I had a lot of things going on outside of football, so to get that recognition of my hard work really meant a lot. I felt really appreciated and seen – something I hadn’t felt in a long time. I strive for that this season.

“I’m excited for how competitive the WSL2 is going to be this season. Finishing sixth last season left us with some unfinished business, and with the top two teams going up to the WSL automatically and the third team getting a chance to be promoted to the WSL through a playoff, we’re raring to go.

“My goals for this season are to keep on playing consistently and enjoying my football, as well as learning as much as I can. I can see the standards around me are increasing, so I want to keep on bringing loads of different attributes to my game. Getting a few goals and assists would also be nice; I just want to be as involved as I can in helping the team, whatever that looks like.

“Longer term, I’d love to start playing for the England senior team soon and get promoted to the WSL with Bristol City. I just want to be winning trophies and medals and celebrating. I love celebrating.” 

Teyah Goldie, 21

London City Lionesses and England under-23s

“I joined London City Lionesses on loan last season after spending most of my youth career at Arsenal, and it felt like home pretty quickly. Everyone – from the staff to the players – are very lovely and welcoming, which is a massive thing. And obviously, what we achieved last year [promotion from WSL2 to the WSL] was amazing. It wasn’t something I expected when I first joined; personally, I just wanted to come here and play, and they gave me the perfect platform to do so. But once we’d been promoted, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to continue on this journey with them.

“The relationships I’ve forged at this club have played a massive part in that. Making friends makes a club feel like family; we’ve had a lot of new players at London City Lionesses both last season and this season, but everyone does a pretty good job of making everyone feel welcome.

“The signings we’ve made this summer have been fantastic. Welcoming Daniëlle van de Donk has been great, as we were at Arsenal together when I was very young and she looked after me, so now having her here is amazing. I’m excited to see what she can do in the WSL. Having Jana [Fernandez] join as well is exciting, as she’s someone who will hopefully play near me as well. It’s exciting to see how everyone will knit together.

“I was fortunate to play so much last year that that would definitely be my goal this year. I want to be on the pitch as much as possible and help the team. We definitely have a great squad, but I’d like to be part of that as much as possible. Being in the WSL2 was good for me to get consistent game time under my belt, but to try to achieve that next step up is a personal goal. I would just love to progress with London City Lionesses and go on that journey with them – they’ve done a lot for me, and hopefully I can do a lot for them.” 

Images: Getty