Women’s football

CLAIRE RAFFERTY had a glittering playing career, winning medals and immortalising herself as a Chelsea and England legend along the way.
After huge success with the Blues and the national side, she’s gone on to become a director at her former club, as well as Lewes FC.

Rafferty became a Chelsea legend in her time at the club and played over a 100 timesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The ex-midfielder’s career began at Milwall Lionesses when she was just 14-years-old, where she was a first-team regular.
Chelsea snapped her up in 2007, and she spent just over a decade with them, winning three FA Cup trophies and their first WSL in her time there.
She would win a bronze medal with England at the 2015 World Cup, helping them reach the semi-finals.
Rafferty spoke fondly of her this trophy-laden period of her time with club and country, revealing that they were the “highlights of my playing career.”

When asked about her stand-out career moment, she said: “It has to have been the 2014/15 season, where we won the league, and the FA Cup for the first time as a club.
“And that season also, with England, we won the Bronze medal at the World Cup.
“So there was a lot of parties that year, I remember that, which was fun!”

She ended her playing career with the Hammers but returned to Chelsea in a director’s role shortly afterCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Rafferty brought the curtain down on her playing days in 2019 while playing for West Ham after leaving the Blues the season before.

Her presence at the club is still felt today as she re-joined as commercial director when departing from West Ham.
She also became non-executive director at Lewes FC, the first club to pay both men and women equally.
PLAYER TO DIRECTOR
But the transition into a director hasn’t been easy, after spending so many years on the pitch, Rafferty struggled adjusting to her new role.
At times, she missed the training environment and found it difficult to even watch games.
Playing football was an outlet that she no longer had, and feels that the sport is a helped with serious issues such as mental health.
She said: “I struggled leaving the team behind almost, I missed the training environment.
“I actually struggled to watch the games sometimes, it was hard because I just wanted to be out there.
“And it’s an outlet isn’t it, football and sport, in general we speak about what a fantastic vehicle it is for the mental health side of things.
“So I think personally I did struggle a little bit with the transition of it.”
However, after a few months she adapted the her new role at the club and embraced learning the business side of things.
Reflecting on her difficult start, she said: “I’ve kind of gotten over that now, in the first few months I struggled to watch them because I had abit of FOMO I think.”
Learning the business hasn’t been easy starting from scratch, but Rafferty says she’s happy to able to help the club in different ways.
Coming from being a player, the business aspect of the game was a whole new realm for her which she had to learn from scratch.
Rafferty added: “Still being involved, still being able to help on the commercial side of things really allowed me to maintain my focus.
“It’s not been easy, it’s been a learning curve, because I had to learn from scratch around how football as a business is run.
“But it’s been a fantastic opportunity. And it’s nice cheering them on knowing I can help in different ways now.”

The former midfielder says she found the transition from player to director difficult in the beginningCredit: PA:Press Association

Rafferty also took on a similar director position at Lewes FC who are the first team to pay men and women equallyCredit: PA:Press Association
EQUALITY AT LEWES FC
Alongside the new role at Chelsea, Lewes FC also approached Rafferty for the Non-Executive Director role at the club in 2019.
This surprised her and she said she was “taken a-back” by their approach, but pratically “bit their hand off” for the opportunity.
What attracted her to the role was the clubs’ pioneering role in champion women’s equality and diversity in the football.
She said: “I was so priviliged when they asked me, I was quite taken a-back.
“I bit their hand off at the opportunity at actually.
“The reason why they approached me is because they wanted to have more diversity on their board.
“They wanted the voice of an ex-player and I was keen to help them out.”
Rafferty was playing the game when women weren’t getting paid at all, so being at a team where the pay for both genders is equal has given her a sense of pride.
Although there’s a long way to go, she thinks other clubs will follow suit in the future and she hopes to use her voice as an influence to do so.
She added: “At the start of my career I didn’t get paid at all.
“And they’re (Lewes FC) are the first ones fighting the cause and sticking their head out on the line to do so.”
CHELSEA’S GROWTH
Chelsea have been on a meteoric rise in recent years and have asserted their dominance in the WSL.
Rafferty reckons that when she and her team-mates won the double in the 2014/15 season, it ushered in a new era at the club.
She said: “I think that was the start of a new era at Chelsea Women’s Football Club.
“And it was also Emma Hayes first trophies with the club, and if you look at it now it’s a lot fuller.
“And that for me was important, and really fantastic to be involved in that first ever trophy win.”

Rafferty feels proud to have been a part of the Chelsea squad who won the double in the 2014/15 seasonCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

She feels the Blues have grown exponentially since then and now are in the best position to win the elusive Champions League trophyCredit: PA:Press Association

Despite the Blues domestic dominance, the Champions League has eluded them thus far.
In both 2018 and 2019, they reached the semi-finals, but Rafferty thinks that this season they can go one step further and lift the coveted prize.
She feels this is the best squad they’ve ever had physically and mentally, and with the help of the jittery form of their main rivals they can achieve the amazing feat.
Rafferty added: “Now is the best time ever, this is the best squad Chelsea have ever had.
“It’s probably the best time to play the likes of Lyon and Wolfsburg based on the form Chelsea have been in, and also the momentum they’ve picked up.
“And there’s a few little cracks forming in some of these top teams, I think.
“But that’s just my opinion, I don’t want to speak to soon incase anything happens!”

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SANDY MacIVER has agreed to a contract extension with Everton which will keep her at the club until 2023.
And the England goalkeeper cited the Toffees’ ambition to compete with Europe’s elite teams as one of her reasons for committing to a two-year deal.

Sandy MacIver has agreed a new contract which will extend her career at Everton up to 2023Credit: Focus Images

The new contract comes weeks after MacIver, 22, made her senior England debut during the team’s 6-0 defeat of Northern Ireland.
And it also comes two months after gaffer Willie Kirk agreed to extend his reign at the club who are due to play Chelsea.
But it remains to be seen if MacIver will be part of the squad that takes on the champions after she went off injured during the Toffees’s 4-0 win against Birmingham.
MacIver told Everton’s web site: “I’m really excited to be at the club for another two years.

“The Champions League is where we want to be. I really believe the foundations are in place to do that.
“I don’t see why we can’t break into that top three or four in the WSL and cement ourselves as a top side in Europe.
“Willie signing his new contract at the end of last year was a real statement, too, and shows his belief in where the club is going.
“Willie has made it clear of his intent with the players he’s brought in.”

“That was another big reason for me wanting to stay.”
Kirk, 42, has high hopes for MacIver who has kept five clean sheets in 14 WSL games for Everton this term.

MacIver wants to see Everton qualify for Champions League footballCredit: Getty
The Toffees boss reckons the Lionesses starlet has the potential to become one of the best keepers in the world rivalling the likes of Chelsea’s Ann-Katrin Berger and Lyon’s Sarah Bouhaddi.
Kirk said: “I’ve been very vocal with my praise and support of Sandy this season.
“Being a young goalkeeper, she still has lots of development to go through.
“She is very much a modern goalkeeper, in terms of her physique, speed and distribution skills – and over the coming years she will gain crucial experience which will aid her decision-making.”
MacIver, whose team are fifth in the top tier, began her career in Everton’s Academy at 15, before joining Man City’s Under-16s for the 2015-16 season.
The WSL ace went on to play for US side Clemson Tigers for three years – making 55 appearances – before returning to Merseyside in 2020.
And the Cheshire-born stopper relishes competing with Finland international Tinja-Riikka Korpela for a starting place between the sticks for the Toffees.
MacIver added: “Being at Everton has been pivotal in my progression over the past year.
“Working with the coaching staff and a goalkeeper like Tinny [Korpela] – we push each other every day in training – has helped me so much.
“On a personal level, the ultimate goal is to be England’s number one. I really believe being an Everton player can help me achieve that.”
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MacIver picked up an injury during Everton’s 4-0 win against Birmingham last time outCredit: PA

MacIver and her team-mates’ resolve will be tested against Chelsea who trounced Bristol City 6-0 in the Conti Cup final.
The last league clash between the two sides ended in a crushing 4-0 win for Emma Hayes’ side.
And the Toffees are “hopeful” they will be able host the fixture after their Walton Hall Park ground was set alight on Friday.
It took fire crews half an hour to quell the blaze which investigations have reportedly shown was started on purpose.
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MacIver says Willie Kirk committing his future to Everton influenced her in making the decision to stayCredit: Getty

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FRAN KIRBY paid an emotional Mother’s Day tribute to her late mum Denise after helping Chelsea crush Bristol City in the Conti Cup final. 
Kirby’s brace – and FOUR assists – and a Sam Kerr hat-trick were among the goals that saw the league champs seal an emphatic 6-0 victory- the largest marginal win in the competition’s history. 

Fran Kirby scored twice and paid an emotional tribute to her late mum on Mother’s DayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Magdalena Eriksson (left) and Millie Bright (right) lift the League Cup trophy after their 6-0 romp over Bristol CityCredit: Rex Features

But the result was overshadowed by Maren Mjelde being carried off on a stretcher.
The Norway skipper shrieked after appearing to twist her knee following an innocuous challenge from Aimee Palmer.
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes said: “Maren is at the hospital and I think we will probably have to wait until the pain subsides before they can do a scan. 
“I don’t have any update. 

“Maren is a hugely popular member of our team and a mother hen who is admired by all. 
“I think everyone is really devastated for her that she couldn’t celebrate with us at the end” 
After signing a new deal last week Kirby said it was nice that the club wanted to keep her. 
Given her six-goal contribution, it is hard to imagine Chelsea letting her go.

hat-trick hero Sam Kerr and her team-mates enjoyed wild celebrations after the final whistleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Sam Kerr was drinking in the atmosphere after her scintillating performanceCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The England ace pointed to the sky in honour of her mother for the celebration of her first goal. 
When Fran was 14, her mother died suddenly from a brain haemorrhage.
Hayes added: “I wrote a card to every player this morning for Mothering Sunday, including Fran and Carly.
“I think it’s pertinent to say how difficult it could be for them and I understand that even more now I’m a mum 
“I thought she (Fran) was amazing today. 
“She always is. I don’t think you can underestimate the impact of losing a mum at that age 
“I have always felt the one thing Fran needed from me rightly or wrongly was the maternal eye and that was the commitment I made to myself about what I was going to do for her.”
The champs snatched a second-minute lead with Reiten finding space to release Kirby on the right to tee up Sam Kerr’s tap-in.
The deadly duo combined again eight minutes later, this time with Kerr turning provider for Kirby to net Chelsea’s second.

Emma Hayes has now lifted five League Cup trophies with the BluesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

There was no let-up from the Blues who picked up their third goal moments before the half-hour mark.
And it was Kirby on target again this time capitalising on Sophie Baggaley’s misplaced pass to chip in her second.
And she went on before setting up Sam Kerr to register her brace in the 35th minute. 
City began the second-half with more impetus.
And they had a couple of decent chances to reduce the deficit with Ebony Salmon stinging the palms of Ann-Katrin Berger in the 57th and 70th minutes. 
But any hopes the Robins had of not conceding any further goals were blown away by Sam Kerr’s sealing her hat-trick in the 48th minute. 
A Guro Reiten tap-in, with Kirby unselfishly sliding a pass to the midfielder, wrapped up a 6-0 demolition.
Robins boss Matt Beard said: “I felt we showed them a little bit too much respect early. 
“If you look where they are and where we are, there’s a big gap there.
“With the position, we’ve been in in the past year or so, they deserve an awful among of credit for getting here.”

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JEMMA PURFIELD made history at 16 when she became the youngest person to play in the WSL for Doncaster Rovers Belles in 2013.
And now the Bristol City ace wants to make her mark again by helping the Robins win their first League Cup against Chelsea.

Jemma Purfield wants Bristol City to ‘rise to the occasion’ against Chelsea in the Conti Cup finalCredit: Rex Features

It is a contest that will see the Twerton Park side – second from bottom in the top tier – take on a Blues outfit who have lost just once in the league this term.
And Purfield, 24, thinks Chelsea’s surprise loss to the Seagulls proves an upset is not impossible. 
Purfield told SunSport: “Brighton showed that anything can happen if you’ve got the right game plan, you are all on the same page and the work rate and communications are there. 
“It’s been a good lesson to us to let us know that whatever happens it’s going to be an occasion 

“And we’re going to rise to the occasion, hopefully, and make it an exciting game for the viewers and hopefully go on to win the trophy.” 
Purfield, who moved to the Robins in July 2020 after spending the previous season at Liverpool, is looking forward to locking horns with her old Doncaster team-mate Millie Bright. 
The Chelsea vice-captain was on the pitch on the day the Yorkshire-born full-back who started made her Women’s Super League debut. 
Purfield added: “I went to train with Doncaster when I was 15. And they said, ‘as soon as you turn 16, do you want to sign a contract and play for us?’.

Purfield hopes Bristol can make history by winning their first league cup trophyCredit: Rex Features

“It was a great experience for me as the team had a lot of big characters. 
“Back then I was playing with people like Millie Bright – who I will play against on Sunday – and Sue Smith who is a legend of the game for England.
“Although women’s senior football wasn’t full-time professional at the time it was still a big step up.” 
Purfield, who played university football in the USA from 2015 to 2018, has been taking inspiration from her favourite cup final upsets ahead of Bristol’s clash with Chelsea.
And the Robins ace regards Everton’s dramatic Women’s FA Cup win against Arsenal in 2010 as one of the best matches she has ever seen.
In that encounter the Gunners were stunned by a last minute extra-time winner netted by Natasha Dowie. 
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Purfield and her team-mates will take on Man City after their clash with ChelseaCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.
Purfield said: “I went to the Everton and Arsenal cup final and it ended up a 3-2 win for Everton.
“I remember Natasha Dowie scoring a couple of goals in that and I thought she was a brilliant player. 
“I think with cup finals in general anything can happen. That’s what we are living for on Sunday. We’re the underdogs.”.
If given the choice between a Conti trophy win and Bristol staying in the top flight, Purfield reckons it would be a tough decision to make with league survival being vital.

Purfield is taking inspiration from Natasha Dowie’s performance during Everton’s 2010 Women’s FA Cup win against ArsenalCredit: PA:Empics Sport
The Bristol City star added: “Staying in league is obviously vital as that’s the week-in, week-out stuff that we get to do. 
“Cup finals are once in a lifetime or you might get to play a few if you’re lucky.  
“They don’t come around often so that’s a tough one. 
“But we definitely do not want to be relegated and we’ll fight for everything.”
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GEMMA Evans hopes Bristol City cause an upset by beating Chelsea when the two sides meet in the Conti Cup final.
The WSL star thinks the Robins have enough depth and fight to surprise the league leaders.

Evans thinks Bristol City are capable of causing a Conti Cup final upset against ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Sunday’s game will be the first time Bristol City have played in the competition’s final in their 23-year history.
And Wales centre-back Evans says her team vying for the trophy at Watford’s Vicarage Road ground is a dream come true.
Evans, 24, said: “I think as a player you dream of winning medals and trophies.
“We’ve had a great cup run, we’ve scored goals, we’ve kept cleans sheets and we’ve changed players around and they’ve performed, so it shows we have depth in our squad.

“It’s what you dream of as a player, to get to a cup final and hopefully we can upset the mix.”
After their WSL win over Reading, Evans reckons confidence at Bristol is sky high going into the clash.
Evans added: “Monday has given us loads of confidence going into the game.
“We obviously know Chelsea is a very big test and we will be the underdogs, but we take that in our stride and look forward to it.”

Interim Robins gaffer Matt Beard, 43, echoed Evans’ sentiments on Bristol’s underdog status.
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Evans says Bristol City’s win against Reading has given them confidence ahead of the league cup finalCredit: PA:Press Association
Beard told City’s website: “We know the challenge of Chelsea is huge with all the international players they have.
“At times it’s like playing against the world’s best eleven.
“But it’s a cup final, anything can happen on the day and it’s a challenge we are looking forward to.”
The Robins are Chelsea’s unlikely opponents after beating Leicester City 1-0 in the semi-finals three weeks after Beard’s appointment as temporary head coach.
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The former West Ham boss is standing in for Robins permanent manager Tanya Oxtoby who is due to give birth this month.
Prior to going on maternity leave Oxtoby, 38, led Bristol on an impressive run in the league cup group stages with convincing wins against London Bees, Crystal Palace and Lewes.
And the Australia-born coach steered her team to a gritty 2-1 quarter-final win against Aston Villa.

Beard’s side are currently fighting for their WSL survival, with just a point between them and bottom-placed West Ham.
Meanwhile, Chelsea on the other hand are in pole position in the top-flight title as they sit top of the tree.
The Blues are going into the game off the back of an emphatic Champions League last 16 win over Atletico Madrid, so Evans and Co will have to be on their best form to upstage the holders.

The Robins’ Conti trophy clash with Chelsea will be the first time they have played in a league cup finalCredit: PA:Press Association

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