We spoke with 24-year-old winger Leah Embley, an FA WNL Division 1 Player of the Season, who joined AFC Fylde Women earlier this year.
SK: Can you tell us a little of your footballing history and any personal high points?
LE: I won two league titles at Burnley FC Women and also won player of the division! They are both personal high points in my career.
SK: How had your team’s season been going before lockdown?
LE: I had only played three games for Fylde after joining from local rivals Huddersfield but things were starting to look up, I was enjoying training and playing again and felt in a really good form, so I was gutted it ended when it did but understand everyone’s safety comes first.
SK: How did you do against any local rivals in 2019-20?
LE: Hadn’t yet played them for Fylde, as I had only joined towards the end of the campaign but we were due to play local rivals and my old teams Huddersfield and Burnley, which I was really looking forward to. It would of been a really good test for us and a chance to prove what a good squad we had towards the end of the season and how hard we had worked for each other. Them two games were the ones I was really looking forward to the most.
SK: What were your best and worst moments of the campaign?
LE: Best moments of the campaign – being Nottingham Forest early on in the season for Huddersfield 4-3 after being 3-1 down, also beating Derby 5-2 after coming from behind in that game. Really enjoyed the Sheffield FC game and scoring two goals really boosted my confidence. Worst moments – losing against Nottingham Forest for Fylde when we played really well and had chances to win the game.
SK: Any rising star, club veteran or stand-out personality we should hear about?
LE: I’ve really looked up to Danielle Young, as she really supported and helped me in the short time I was at Fylde. She’s helped me a lot and having previously played for Man City and Everton, she is someone I can take lots of tips from,
SK: How are you trying to keep fit and fill the void in football?
LE: Plenty of running and pitch sessions – getting lots of speed work in and improving my endurance day by day.
We want to hear from players of all ages and leagues, so send your own answers and pics to info@shekicks.net
