Dundee United WFC’s Neve Guthrie has been voted as the winner of the Scottish Building Society SWPL Player of the Month for May 2019. The 16-year-old striker is the first ever Dundee United player to win the award, getting over 50% of the vote with over 2,600 total votes cast.
Guthrie, who has played in all Dundee United’s matches this season, helped her side to a solid end to the first part of the season. This included a 2-0 win over FC Kilmarnock at home followed by a 1-0 away win over top of the table Heart of Midlothian, with Guthrie scoring the winner in both games.
Speaking from Tannadice Park, Guthrie said: “I’m shocked but delighted to have won this award. Given the quality of the nominees I was not expecting to win but it’s a very pleasant surprise.”
Guthrie, a Scotland youth international, just graduated from the Scottish FA JD Performance School, St John’s High School.
“A lot has happened recently and it’s a very exciting time,” said Guthrie. “I’m focusing on my football just now. I’m very young and fortunate that I have the opportunity to play in one of the most competitive leagues in Scotland. Being at Dundee United and in this league is benefiting my development, so I’m grateful.”
Dundee United were promoted to the Scottish Building Society SWPL 2 after winning the SWFL Division 1 North title last season. They currently sit fifth in the table, only six points behind Hearts and two points from third placed Partick Thistle.
“Our aim is to finish as high up the table as possible” said Guthrie. “As a newly promoted side, we simply wanted to establish ourselves in the league. I think we’ve done that and more. There’s not talk of winning the league but we see no reason why we shouldn’t be aiming up the table. If we finish the season strong, I see no reason why we can’t aim for the title in the future though.”
Also nominated for the May award was Amy Muir (Rangers), Clare Docherty (FC Kilmarnock), and Jamie-Lee Napier (Hibernian).
