Brighton’s early-season promise had them sitting 4th in the Barclays WSL heading into November, as a club now widely admired in the men’s game for forward-thinking astuteness continues its push to cause similar shockwaves on the women’s side. With their substantial summer business headlined by the arrivals of Lionesses forwards Fran Kirby and Nikita Parris, the new start under incoming coach Dario Vidošić has also brought fresh possibility to the likes of left-back Poppy Pattinson, in her third season.
This Seagull flew south some time ago, but the Houghton-le-Spring native has sights unequivocally set on adding her name to the North East’s proud list of England success stories.
SK: Family and friends aside, what do you miss most about the North East when you’re away? What looks like home to you?
PP: I got to go back a couple of weeks ago now and it was so nice. Playing football, I moved out of there early, so all my friends are pretty much in football now. So, I’d mostly say I miss family, but I don’t know, the culture of it; I always say northerners are a bit different.
SK: Being 24 now, how have you found living away in these last few years? Was Man City the first time you moved, at 17, or were you travelling there from home?
PP: I was travelling to City from Durham, so that was quite a trek. My mum and dad used to drive me three times a week to there, but the first time living totally out was for Bristol (City), so quite a trip as well. I went to a host family there, my first time living out of home, and they were like my Bristol family for the two years I was there. But yeah, I got used to it pretty quick. You miss family, but I guess being a footballer, that’s part of it, the independence.
SK: Since you joined Brighton (in July 2022 under Hope Powell), you’ve played for a few different coaches (six, including interim appointments). Have there been any noticeable differences in how they saw you as a player and what they asked of you?
PP: Yeah, for sure, I think each manager brings in a different style, and to fit that person you have to adapt when these things happen. I think I’m quite an adaptable player. I like to get on the ball, create things, but of course, you’ve got to bring your own game with that.
SK: For the team overall, how would you describe Dario’s way of working so far? What’s different in the style, the training, or day-to-day details in the environment?
PP: I think there’s a clear identity. We all know the style we want, the way we want to build up, the way we want to progress the ball, the way we want to create goalscoring opportunities, it’s just how we bring that every weekend. I think you can see we’ve been doing that so far, how we’ve started the season. We’re in a very good position right now and it’s just about continuing that on.
SK: You’ve played for England at various levels, but how often do you think about eventually breaking through with the senior team? It feels like you fit the profile that they usually go for, as someone who’s been through the age groups, and left-back is a position where there hasn’t been too many natural options.
PP: Yeah, of course, I can’t sit here and say I don’t think about it; it’s obviously my dream to be there. On the other hand, I feel in a good place now personally, I’m confident with how I’m playing, and I think that’s the main thing. (Your) football always talks, so we’ve just got to wait and see, I guess.
SK: Brighton have become known as one of the most efficient clubs in the men’s game and there’s an obvious aim to have that for the women’s side. Tell us a bit about what you have around you here each day and how it benefits you personally?
PP: Every day coming into the facility that we have here, we can’t complain. It’s an amazing facility here at Brighton and we have everything here to be what we want to be. I think that’s probably recognition of how far the game’s come over the years, probably everywhere. Definitely here we are very lucky to have what we have, and it probably helps day to day with how we’re going about it, and finally getting the results that we’ve been working for.
SK: The new signings this summer probably each deserve their own mention. (Japan’s) Kiko (Seike) has started amazingly well (scoring a debut hat-trick v Everton), but what’s it like having Fran Kirby on your team? Would you have watched her on TV for England when you were a teenager?
PP: Yeah, I would’ve! Definitely, for sure, I was watching England growing up, wanting to be there myself. Fran was a standout player for England for years, and now to play alongside her, we’re all very lucky to have that experience in the team now. She brings a lot, and hopefully we can all keep gelling together, even more so as the season goes on.
“I think I’m quite decisive; if I want something, then I’ll do what I can to get it, and I won’t stop until I get it.”
SK: One of the players who moved on this summer was (Norway forward) Elisabeth Terland (to Manchester United), who did remarkably well for Brighton. Can you give any insight into what you were seeing up close from working with her, because it was apparent a while ago that she’s a special talent?
PP: Yeah, she definitely is, and she’ll give us tough opposition this weekend*, but the talent in the WSL is very high across the board. I think each game has players who are extremely talented, so it just depends who’s performing on the day. I think we know a bit about Teri now, so hopefully we can nullify that on Saturday.
*Poppy was speaking ahead of Brighton’s 1-1 home draw with Man United in the WSL (in which they did ultimately manage to stop Elisabeth scoring!).
SK: Would it ever be mentioned to her that she was scoring nearly all the goals herself?! Would you ever be going ‘please don’t get injured!’?
PP: Yeah, for sure! She did really well for us last season and no one can take that away from her, but now we’ve got to focus on what we have. We have great players now ourselves.
SK: These different personalities in the squad, and how they come from all over the world, what has that been like to be around? Who does the funniest or most surprising things?!
PP: Now you’re making everyone (in the room) talk! No, it’s special to be around such a cultured group of girls. I think it’s amazing how we’ve all come together from different parts of the world – we cover everywhere! It’s a really special group. I’m English, I speak English every day, but I can’t imagine how hard it is for them to have to focus on playing and focus on speaking English. It’s not easy, and hats off to them, but like I say, we’ve got an amazing group of girls; we help each other day to day.
I’ll give Hannah (Poulter), our goalkeeper, a shout; she’s a funny one. I won’t tell you the story that happened to her in the gym today, though, she’ll be a bit embarrassed!
SK: With (Spain forward) Bruna coming in (on loan from Barcelona), (Colombia defender) Jorelyn (Carabalí) last season, they obviously have Vicky Losada around to help them, but how are they doing with their English? Can you speak Spanish with them yet?!
PP: No…un poco (a little)! (starts laughing)
SK: Who’s there (off camera), distracting you?!
PP: I’m in the signing room, we have to sign stuff, so whenever you say names, people are (coming in and) hearing it!
SK: Just going back to those early days of your career, were there ever any tough times you think back to, or conversations with family about wondering what the right path was for you?
PP: I think of course you always discuss with your family, the people that mean the most to you, but I think I’m quite decisive; if I want something, then I’ll do what I can to get it, and I won’t stop until I get it. So, yeah, I don’t think that was ever a problem, indecision or anything like that. Of course, I’ll discuss with family, they mean the most to me, and they bring you up to be who you are, so I would listen to whatever they say. But obviously, I make my own decisions, and I’m happy with that decision at that time.
SK: When you left Man City, was your situation at that time the same as Ella Toone, because she told us how she didn’t get a contract there at 18? Were you both in the same boat or was your situation different?
PP: Me and Ella Toone played for EDS (Elite Development Squad) together; that was a great year for us there. We had an amazing squad with players (who are) all over now. Ella probably got a bit more first-team opportunities with City, and that was something I was really looking for, so that ultimately made my decision to go to Bristol (City). They were still in the WSL, playing the top teams week in, week out, and ultimately, that was something that I needed. I think that paid off for me.
“I feel confident with how I’ve started the season. The manager’s given me that confidence and freedom to express myself; I feel like I’m doing that.”
SK: Were there any teammates who really helped you as a young player in your career, or said anything that stuck with you?
PP: I’ll have to think about that one, because I’ve been at a few different clubs across the WSL now, but Rachel Yankey was always my inspiration growing up, being a left-sided player like myself, and I just loved the way that she played. So, not necessarily someone that I’ve played with, but that was who I looked up to.
SK: As well as playing football growing up, would you go and watch it? Who was your team?
PP: I’ve got a funny story. My mam and dad used to take me and my brother to Blackpool for like a random weekend, and we’d go to the game, then go to the Pleasure Beach, whatever, and my brother just fell in love with watching Blackpool. He’s obsessed with football but actually enjoys watching the lower leagues more, knows everything about it, can tell you anything. So, now him and my dad are big Blackpool fans, they go when they can. I’m not so big because I’ve travelled everywhere, it’s not as easy, but I’d say probably now, I back Newcastle as the North East team, I like to see them doing well. If they’re ever playing (men’s) Premier League then I’d want them to do well.
SK: When and why did you end up at left-back?
PP: I was a bit further forward at the start! I was a left-winger growing up, mostly, always a leftie, but as I’ve gone through the years, probably seen my tenacious side a bit more and used that to push me back more in defence!
SK: We’re in a time now with so much more spotlight on players in the women’s game. Plenty of people aren’t just interested in what you do on the pitch, but you in general. How have you found that side, is it ever difficult?
PP: I love it. I’d say I’m an outgoing and fun person, so I like these sorts of things, and it’s part of the game now. I think you’ve got to enjoy what you do, and if you don’t, then it’s probably the wrong place. I love it, and I think this side of the game is important. If you’re happy off the pitch, then you play well on the pitch; that’s my motto really.
SK: To be where you are at this point, 24, and to have remained in the WSL consistently, how do you measure everything so far against what you’ve set out to achieve?
PP: I’m a person that always wants more. Of course, I’m happy with what I’ve achieved so far, but I don’t want to stand still. Right now, Brighton are in a good place, I feel confident with how I’ve started the season. The manager’s given me that confidence and freedom to express myself; I feel like I’m doing that. Obviously, we’ll see how this season goes, and then on to whatever’s next, but obviously, my personal goals are to keep contributing for Brighton in the WSL, and then internationally, I want to make that senior squad.
SK: What’s life like for you away from training and matches, what do you enjoy most?
PP: My family are obviously most important. It’s quite far to back home from Brighton, one end of the country to the other, but when I do get a chance and they’re free, I will go back there. Other than that, my boyfriend (Feyenoord defender and ex-Brighton youngster Antef Tsoungui, on loan to OH Leuven) also plays, he’s not in England right now, so most of the days off, he’s either flying to me or I’m flying there. The schedules are tricky but we make it work, and I’d say that’s how I switch off. We’re very supportive of each other; I’m happy off the pitch because of that.
SK: And finally, the beach in Brighton compared to back in the North East – which is better?
PP: Oh, the North East, come on! We actually have sand!
