Harrogate Town Women have had a rocky start to the season, recording only two wins, including pre-season and in their last game losing 0-5 at home to Wigan Athletic.
Ella Williams, captain of the team, enters her second season at the club and after a self–described “pretty turbulent season” last year, with issues on and off the pitch, the midfielder is hoping the fortunes of the club will start to change.
After losing a manager within five days, Harrogate Women were in free fall last season, but the captain says this brought the group closer together.
“When I came in, it was definitely a squad that was trying to rebuild.” Williams continued “It really brought in those young players and really bonded us together and we knew we had to stick it out for each other.”
We managed to speak with Williams after their 5-2 loss against Wallsend B.C on the 8th of October.
“It’s important for me and the other senior players to use our experience and really lift the players up, both on the pitch and off,” she said.
After being given the armband in only her second season at the club, Williams is not shying away from the responsibility and constantly reiterates the harmony, support, and unity within the squad.
“My responsibilities are lifting the team back at training and bringing us all together as a group.”
Ella understands the process her team is currently experiencing, which will take time, with multiple new additions to change the outfit’s fortunes from North Yorkshire.
“We had big recruitment over the summer and we’re still establishing how we play and learning to play with each other”
She continued with: “Our objectives are to show that we can compete with the best and it’s time to get some points on the board.”
Despite the rocky start that the team are having on the pitch, it has been much more settled, especially off the pitch.
Jason Barker was appointed as the new women’s Director of Football, being described as “great” by the first team captain as well as receiving praise for his involvements throughout the club.
“In training and on matchdays, it’s the support off the pitch that he gives the players too.”
As women’s football grows, so does the standards and competition with Williams supporting this positive grow to the game.
Noticing the work at grassroots level only improves the next generation of footballers.
“The 16 – and 17-year-olds coming in are keeping players like me on my toes because the standard is just getting better every year so there’s a very bright future.”
Despite her responsibilities as Harrogate captain, Ella also finds herself with important responsibilities away from the pitch.
Having graduated from the University of Leeds in 2022, the Hampshire native is continuing her football career up North whilst balancing her newly given responsibilities for BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport).
In September, she was announced as Student Director for BUCS and is now finding ways to balance her commitments with Harrogate and BUCS.
Williams said, “My experiences with BUCS are really, really helping me with Harrogate Town.”
“I’m able to apply what I do with students in the sports pathway at universities into bringing that player voice into the club, so every player is heard, not just the loud ones.”
Her new role has already allowed her to positively impact the game for Harrogate Town and BUCS.
“We are growing that pathway for younger players coming into the squad and working with students in the sports pathways at universities, bringing that player voice in.”
The midfielder has visions of creating a better foundation for young women and girls with hopes of having a career and supporting the wider university student population as Student Director.
She recalls back to early on in her adolescence, when she first started in the sport felt like she did not belong because of her gender, and this became a feeling that she describes as “unusual.”
“Growing up in a sport that you feel like isn’t tailored for you, the after-school clubs, training camps and even the kit you wear being labelled as boys.”
“It makes you feel like you’re not meant to be there, it’s in the back of your mind and especially as a little kid.”
Yet, Ella Williams continues her successes on and off the pitch with the aspirations of inspiring the next generation of footballers and embracing her role as captain and role model whilst using her time as a student to reflect and create pathways and experiences for university students up and down the country.
