West Ham Women v Leicester City Women

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3
INSIDE
WEST HAM UNITED
Editor: George Benson
Contributors: Arfa Griffiths, Mel Ould, Matt
Riggs, Chelsea Samson, Poppy Timson,
Robin Johnson.
PRODUCED & PRINTED BY
IGNITION SPORTS MEDIA
The opinions of contributors do
not necessarily represent the views
of West Ham United FC
EMERGENCY AND
SAFETY PROCEDURES
The following acts are offences under the Football
Offences Act 1991, as amended: the throwing of
any objects within the stadium without lawful
authority or excuse; the chanting of racist, anti-
Semitic, Islamophobic or homophobic nature; the
entry onto the playing area or any adjacent area
to which spectators are not generally admitted
without lawful authority or excuse.
Please respect your fellow spectators by refraining
from persistent standing in seated areas. Please
note that smoking is not permitted anywhere within
Dagenham & Redbridge Stadium and this includes
the use of electronic cigarettes.
In the event of an emergency, you will hear a
message over the public address system – listen to
the message carefully and follow the instructions
of stadium staff. Evacuation of the stadium is a
last resort and we may ask you to move from your
immediate area initially.
Please remain vigilant at all times and report
anything you consider suspicious to a member of
stadium staff.
The use of threatening behaviour, foul or abusive
language is strictly forbidden and will result in
arrest and/or ejection from the stadium. West Ham
United and Dagenham & Redbridge may impose a
ban from as a result.
To ensure our young Hammers and visitors have
a safe and enjoyable experience, please ensure
children are supervised at all times.
Lost children should be reported to the nearest
steward.
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westhamwomen

@zoskinhealth_uk
www.zo-skinhealth.co.uk

5
GILLY FLAHERTY
Good afternoon and welcome to the Chigwell Construction
Stadium ahead of this afternoon’s match.
W
e’re looking forward to what hopefully will be a
really good match against Leicester City.
Looking back on our last match here against
Aston Villa, I think we started really brightly; we
dominated the first 20 minutes. We didn’t take our
chances, and as the games go on, if we don’t take our
chances then the momentum changes. But overall,
it was a big point and we can take positives from the
game!
We started the game against Aston Villa very well
– it was nice for us to be on the front foot bright and
early. We need to take that into today’s game and
make sure that we do the same.
It was really great to have our fans back – for us to
have over 1000 people for an 11:30 kick off was great!
We’ve missed the fans so much, they are pivotal and
vital for us picking up points. Obviously, the more fans
we can get there, the bigger it’ll be going into games,
they just give us the extra player that we need.
Leicester will pose a tough test for us this afternoon
- they’ll play a similar formation to us, so it will be
interesting to see the battles that go on. They’ve got
no fear and they’ll be prepared to attack with two very
physical forwards.
We’ve also welcomed Tameka Yallop into the club this
week. We’re delighted to have Tameka in the building –
she’s very experienced and will be a good asset for the
team! For those that watched the Olympics this summer,
you will know that we have gained a great player!
Once again, please get behind us! Your support is
vital, and we hope that we will be able to bring you an
entertaining game and all three points at the full-time
whistle!
Enjoy the game!
westhamwomen

7
I
OLLI HARDER
Good afternoon and welcome back to the Chigwell Construction
Stadium for this weekend’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League
fixture against Leicester City.
’d like to welcome Jonathan Morgan, his staff and
players to east London for today’s match.
We’re really looking forward to what should be a
good contest this afternoon, and it’s one that we’re
hoping to take all three points from.
The start of the season has provided some
challenges, but there have been positives that we have
been able to take from both matches against Brighton
& Hove Albion and Aston Villa.
Last time out here, we were only a couple of minutes
away from taking all three points. I felt as though we
weren’t efficient enough when we had the time and
moments to score, we need to take those chances.
The goal at the end was a sucker punch but we also
need to be better at owning our moments.
Leicester are obviously the newest team in the
division, but from what I’ve seen have been solid in
their first two matches despite not picking up any
points.
We certainly won’t be taking them lightly and will
need to be at the top of our game to make sure we
come away with the result that we want this afternoon.
It was fantastic to have the fans back with us against
Aston Villa. It was my first experience of the West Ham
faithful on a home matchday, and the noise you made
for the team was superb.
Please continue to cheer loudly for the team, I have
no doubt that your support will make the difference in
matches throughout the season.
Enjoy the match and Come On You Irons!
westhamwomen

WHUW v Leicester City
Club News
FA Women’s Continental Tyres League
Cup Group Stage
Further details on West Ham United
Women’s FA Women’s Continental
Tyres League Cup Group Stage
fixtures have been confirmed.
The Hammers were drawn in Group
E of the competition with Birmingham
City, Brighton & Hove Albion and
London City Lionesses last month.
Olli Harder’s side will first travel
to Princes Park in Dartford to face
London City on either Wednesday
13 or Thursday 14 October, with the
game scheduled to kick-off at 7pm.
Then, on 17 November, we face
fellow Barclays FA Women’s Super
League outfit Birmingham City –
7:30pm.
Our final group match will take
place at the Chigwell Construction
Stadium on Wednesday 15 December,
with the game kicking off at 7:30pm.
Last season, West Ham United
reached the semi-final of the
competition, eventually being
knocked out by winners Chelsea.
Details on ticket news will be relayed
to supporters in due course.
The FA is also pleased to announce
that fixtures for the Group Stage of
this season’s FA Women’s Continental
Tyres League Cup have been
confirmed, with the Final on the
weekend of 5-6 March to be screened
live on the BBC.
In what will be the eleventh season
of the competition, the final will be
screened on free to air television
having previously been shown on
BT Sport. Broadcast details will be
released in due course.
The Group Stages will commence
on the 13-14 October and run through
to the 15 December, with 22 of the 24
clubs from the Barclays FA Women’s
Super League and FA Women’s
Championship entering in the First
Round. Holders Chelsea and Arsenal
receive a bye to the Quarter-Finals
as a result of their participation in the
UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The competition is divided into two
sections – Northern and Southern
– with two groups in the North and
three in the South. Manchester City’s
entry into the competition since the
draw was made sees them placed into
Group B in the Northern Section.
The winner of each group will join
Chelsea and Arsenal in the last eight,
along with the best runner-up from
across the five groups.
Having been associated with
the competition for ten years,
Continental Tyres have renewed their
commitment for a further year and
will continue to be lead sponsor as we
enter the 2021/2022 campaign.
More details for the Final on the
weekend of the 5-6 March will be
released in due course.
Adriana Leon
wins Hammer of
the Week award
Canadian forward Adriana
Leon was the recipient of our
Hammer of the Week award.
The award was introduced
at the end of the pre-season,
with the player being
presented with our Thames
Ironworks Lunchbox, chosen
to represent the hard work
that the athlete has shown
that week.
Olli Harder went into more
detail about why the lunchbox
was chosen:
“I think for us it’s about
tying our programme into the
history of West Ham United,”
he began.
“The club itself has 126 years
worth of history and it’s about
understanding what West
Ham represents and where
we’ve come from. Part of that
narrative is to incorporate
some symbolism into that,
and this award represent the
hardworking ironworkers back
in the day.
“We want to instil those
values within our culture – we
want hardworking, committed
and no nonsense here at our
club and it’s an important
piece of our puzzle. It’s a real
honour for our players to have
this award because of what it
represents, which is being the
best versions of themselves.”
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9
Thank You Colm!
Some of Colm’s best achievements here at West
Ham United include being voted worst dressed by
the staff (he doesn’t know there was a vote until he
reads this).
We will also miss his unbelievable sense of
humour and charming smile.
On a serious note, though, everyone at the Club
would like to wish Colm the very best of luck
with his next adventure, and we look forward to
welcoming him back to the Chigwell Construction
Stadium sometime in the future.
This afternoon, West Ham United will say
goodbye to our Strength and Conditioning
Coach, Colm Smith.
The Irishman joined the Hammers back in
February 2020 after spending two-and-a-half years
with Chelsea as a physical performance coach.
A popular member of the backroom staff, Colm
will be missed by everyone at the Hammers.
westhamwomen

Barclays is celebrating 20 years of commitment to the game we
all love, first as title sponsor of the Premier League, and now the
Barclays FA Women’s Super League. And it’s still all to play for.
Visit Barclays.com/20years to see the full story

REPORT IT.
KICK IT OUT OF FOOTBALL.

WHUW v Leicester City
Sister Club Spotlight:
Tigers JFC
ver the course of the season,
we will be showing off one
Oof our sister club partners
within our matchday programme.
This week we will be highlighting
Tigers JFC!
Tigers JFC is an F.A. Charter
Standard Development Football
Club based in Hornchurch, which
incorporates one of the largest
female sections within Essex.
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The Club have 13 female teams
from under 7’s to open age
competing in the Brentwood
Community Football Alliance Youth
League, Essex County Girls League
and the Essex County Womens
League for the 2021/22 season.
The Club has over 50 teams
within the club set up as well as
our Tigers Cubs section and Girls
Weetabix Wildcats Centre which
trains girls from reception to
school year 8.
If you are interested in attending
one of Tigers JFC’s Wildcats
sessions for girls, then please look
on the FA’s website for our centres
which train every Saturday morning
from 9am for 1 hour.
Recently, General Manager of
West Ham United Women, Aidan
Boxall headed down to a Tigers
training session to see our Sister
Club in action.
West Ham United Women are
currently looking to support the
development of women’s and girls’
football in East London and Essex.
We are hoping that this alliance will
help with the development of local
players, providing opportunities to
young players, as well as growing
our existing fanbase by offering
free and discounted tickets to our
partner clubs.
Interested in becoming one of our
Sister Club partners? Please email
Aboxall@westhamunited.co.uk for
more details.

Meet your West Ham United
Women Supporters’ Board!
ow that supporters have
returned to the Chigwell
NConstruction Stadium, it’s
time to get reacquainted with our
Women’s Supporters Board (WSB).
You can find contact details and
a profile for the WSB members
below, should you wish to raise
something to them to be discussed
at future meetings. We always
want to hear about the topics most
important to our supporters, so
please do get in touch with a fellow
fan below or you can contact the
Club’s Supporter Services team
directly on supporterservices@
westhamunited.co.uk.
SUE ADAMS
My name is Sue Adams and I am
the Over 65 representative on The
Women’s Supporters Board. My aim is
to be your voice concerning anything
relating to the Women’s team.
I promise to raise your points and
reply to your query.
Contact details
Email: sueadamso65@hotmail.com
In writing: Sue Adams – WSB
C/O Supporter Services
West Ham United Football Club
London Stadium
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park E20 2ST
TREVOR BRIGHT
I hope to make the matchday
experience for all disabled
supporters one they will enjoy.
I want to help to eliminate any
concerns they might have before
returning to football so they can
enjoy it as much as I did the other
week!
Contact details
trevor-bright@sky.com or
dsb@westhamunited.co.uk
MAISIE THREADGOLD-SMITH
My name’s Maisie, a lifelong West
Ham fan and goalkeeper in my spare
time. I’ve grown up alongside the
development of the women’s game
and have seen it come such a long
way. I really hope that by being on
this board, I can help put forward any
ideas/concerns/feedback from the
young adults that follow West Ham
Women; and would like to think I can
be an approachable representative to
anyone who has anything they’d like
to see within our club.
I love watching the women play,
and just want everybody to have the
most enjoyable experience they can!
Contact details
Feel free to contact me on Twitter
or Instagram @maisiets_ or via email
maisietsmith@gmail.com
PETER TYLER
As a member of the WSB I would
like to do everything I can to help
enhance the local supporters
enjoyment when attending West
Ham Women’s matches. Whilst
standing on the terraces I hear
supporters complaining about things
that they think could be better and
often they are things that could
easily be implemented. I hope that
supporters will know that if they
speak to me I will endeavour to
get their points on the agenda at
meetings to try to improve things.
Contact details
petertyler102@icloud.com
GEORGE GRAY
As part of the Women’s Supporters
Board, I would like to make the
matchday experience as enjoyable
and exciting as possible and
encourage new supporters as the
team progresses in the Barclays
Women’s Super League. It would
be nice if there could be more of a
community feel with people from
the local area coming together to
cheer on their local women’s team.
It should encourage more girls to
play football and raise the profile of
womens’ football generally
JO BAILEY
A Lifelong hammer, womens & mens
STH.
The WHU supporters board among
other things is about giving the fans
a voice. I feel honoured to be a
member of the WSB and shall work
hard to ensure we achieve what is
best, for us fans and for the greater
good/future of the club. People
assume POI is only for the LGBTQ
community but we stand for all
WHU fans and have many members
that are allies. #coyi
Contact details
info@prideofirons.com (please put
“WHU Women” in the subject line)
AIMEE HOLDER
My name is Aimee holder I am 21
years old I love football and playing
football and also want to make
people fill inclusive and welcome.
ALLIE COKER
My name is Allie and I have been
selected to represent all the Season
Ticket Holders and genera ticket
buyers at West Ham Women. If you
have not seen me around you have
probably heard me screaming my
lungs out during the match. I am
hoping whilst on the board and we
are in Lockdown that I can help
get across the kind of content you
would like as fans both from the club
and the players. Also, to be the voice
in terms of how the season tickets
will work in the current climate.
Once the world is back to right, I
hope to help the board make sure
that season ticket holders get the
best from their ticket. Looking at
away day travel, a bigger supporters
club, whatever is needed to give the
hammers voice strong.
Contact details
You can get a hold of me on Twitter
@hammer_up_North or email which
is axlgirl11@gmail.com
westhamwomen
13

WHUW v Leicester City
DRIVEN &
DETERMINED
westhamwomen

15
WORDS: GEORGE BENSON
Mel Filis is not your usual 19-year-old
professional footballer. The former Arsenal
academy graduate is driven towards where
she wants to be – which is the very best.
westhamwomen

WHUW v Leicester City
“I WANT TO LEARN
BECAUSE I KNOW
THAT IF I CAN BE A
SPONGE AT THIS
AGE, THEN BY THE
TIME I’M 25 I’LL
HOPEFULLY BE UP
THERE WITH SOME
OF THE BEST IN
THE WORLD.
The midfielder secured her
first professional contract
in the summer, signing
over the dotted line having
impressed manager Olli Harder
after a short trial when the New
Zealander first arrived in London.
Filis has knuckled down in preseason,
scoring against London
City Lionesses in pre-season, and
making the first WSL start of her
career at the Amex on the opening
day of the new campaign.
And our No.17 sat down to chat
about her first three months here
in the Claret & Blue of West Ham
United.
How have you found your time at
West Ham United so far?
I’ve really enjoyed myself; the girls
have all been really welcoming,
as have the staff here. Everyone
is so invested in helping the team
and trying to develop players, it’s a
fantastic environment to work in.
How have you found the
step up from the FA Women’s
Championship to the WSL?
My big priority throughout last
season whilst I was at London
Bees, was to uphold the same high
standards that I had when I was at
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Arsenal. It hasn’t taken me long to
get back into the swing of things –
training every day and being back
in an elite environment.
You’re known to be very thorough
in your work on and off the pitch,
why is that?
I’ve always been really diligent in
everything that I do, whether that
be my workouts, in training and
looking back at my clips. I want to
learn because I know that if I can
be a sponge at this age, then by
the time I’m 25 I’ll hopefully be up
there with some of the best in the
world. I’ve got to make sure that I
don’t leave any stones unturned,
because that’s my aim.
I have some pretty lofty
aspirations, and I think that if I’m
in this position now at 19, then
I feel as though I’m in the right
place here at West Ham United to
develop and be challenged, it’s a
really good place to be.
How have you found working
under Olli Harder so far?
I’ve got a really good relationship
with Olli because he’s aware of what
my aspirations are, so he’s always
trying to not only support, but also
challenge me. He’s helping me to
stay on the right track, but also I’m
learning how I can help the team
as well because I understand that
whilst I have personal ambitions, the
team will always come first.
You’ve made your first start in the
WSL since you arrived – which
was on the opening day against
Brighton…
It was an amazing experience, it
made me feel like all of my hard
work up until this point has been
worth it.
Every player goes through some
sort of adversity, whether that
be injury, or other things – mine
wasn’t the injury side of things,
it was the desire to sign my
professional contract with Arsenal.
When that didn’t happen, I realised
that you don’t always get what you
want, when you want it. As long
as you keep doing the right things
even when it’s not going your way,
you’ll get there eventually.
Did going down to the
Championship help with your
development, do you think?
It’s a lot tougher than people
think, in a good way. It’s not just
like people say when you hear
comments like “just drop down to

17
the Championship and smash it,”
there’s a lot more to it than that. In
the back of my head I always had
my vision there, which helped me
remain driven.
I gained a lot of experience
from my year with Bees. It was a
tough season for everyone at the
Club, and I’ve learned a lot from
that. They were part time, which
meant I was doing extra sessions
to maintain the high-standards that
I’d set for myself.
Here at West Ham, I have
everything I need to continue my
development. With Olli, he’s a
very unique coach and I’ve never
worked with a coach that is as
invested as he is – every single
minute he is thinking about his
team and how we can improve.
I feel like we’re on the same
wavelength because I’m much the
same. He pushes you to be the
best and I like that, because you
achieve your best work when you
aren’t comfortable.
What have you made of our start
to the season?
I think we’re unlucky to only have
one point on the board after the
first two games. We made two very
good starts in both of our matches,
and if we’d have been more clinical
in both matches, then we would
definitely be further up the table.
We need to work on being
focused for the full 90 minutes
and making sure that we’re taking
the opportunities that fall for us.
We’re not far away from that, and
hopefully we can start against
Leicester on Sunday.
What was it like having the West
Ham United faithful behind you
against Aston Villa?
There was an amazing
atmosphere, they were really
behind us. It’s great to have that
kind of support – it really drives
you on in matches.
It’s my first real experience of
playing a full first-team match with
a large crowd, so it was really great
and I’m looking forward to having
them with us throughout the
campaign.
What are you expecting from
Leicester City, having played them
last season in the Championship?
They’re a good team with a
couple of very talented young
players that I’ve played with before.
They’re good going forward and
are quite physical in that regard,
but if we’re on our game then I
think we have more than enough
to beat them. We need to win our
individual battles and take our
chances to win the game, and
hopefully we will do that.
westhamwomen

WHUW v Leicester City
westhamwomen

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF

WHUW v Leicester City
INTERNATIONAL ROUND-UP
hree West Ham United women’s players were
action on Tuesday evening for their countries
Tin what was the first international break of the
season.
Mackenzie Arnold and Tameka Yallop were in action
for Australia, with the Matildas taking on Ireland in
Dublin for an historic first ever meeting between the
two nations.
The Australians were beaten 3-2 in an entertaining
contest at the Tallaght Stadium, home of Shamrock
Rovers F.C.
An early Lucy Quinn free-kick set the tone with
Denise O’Sullivan and Louise Quinn adding to the tally.
A Mary Fowler double kept the Aussies in the game,
but it wasn’t enough to get the victory.
It was a bright start for the team in green. Within the
opening two minutes, Ireland had taken the lead from
a Lucy Quinn free-kick. It hit the post and bounced into
the goal off Arnold, who was credited with the own goal.
The Matildas recovered from the early goal and
equalised just before the quarter hour mark through
Mary Fowler.
A long ball from Courtney Nevin in defence found
Emily Gielnik. Her deft lay-off found Fowler who shot
and scored for her third international goal.
It wouldn’t be too long before Ireland reclaimed the
lead, this time through Denise O’Sullivan. Her strike
found the net after a poor clearance, with the ball
taking a deflection beyond Arnold.
Just before the break, Fowler received the ball and
twisted and turned to create the space to get a shot
away. A wicked deflection meant there was nothing
Brosnan could do to keep it out.
westhamwomen
Another set piece saw Louise Quinn run into space
and head past Williams to put Ireland back in front and
ultimately decide the contest.
Arnold played 45 minutes during the match before
being replaced, with Yallop being withdrawn after 68
minutes in the Irish capital.
Dagny Brynjarsdottir played the full match for
Iceland, as they were beaten by the Netherlands
in their Women’s World Cup Qualifier on Tuesday
evening.
Iceland are in Group C, alongside Belarus, Czech
Republic and Cyprus.
Former Arsenal midfielder, Danielle van de Donk
opened the scoring in a game in which the Dutch
dominated statistically, before Manchester United’s
Jackie Groenen completed the victory with just over
15 minutes to play.
Iceland will now face Group C leaders, Czech
Republic in their next match, which is taking place on
Friday 22 October.

21
Meet the Opposition:
LEICESTER
CITY
fter winning promotion to the Barclays FA Women’s
Super League last season, Leicester City will be hoping to
Aconsolidate their position in the top division of women’s
football this campaign.
The Foxes arrive in east London having yet to register a point
so far this season but came close against Aston Villa on the
opening day.
The Manager:
Jonathan Morgan has been the
manager of Leicester City Women
since the middle of the 2014 and
oversaw their memorable campaign
last season when he guided the Foxes
to the FA Women’s Championship title
for the first time in their history.
His side amassed 50 points from 20
league fixtures on their way to lifting
the trophy, including 16 wins and a total
of 54 goals scored during their first
season as a professional outfit.
Furthermore, he helped City reach
the Continental Tyres League Cup last
four, as well as the Vitality Women’s
FA Cup Quarterfinals, which they will
compete in during the 2021/22 season.
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WHUW v Leicester City
FINAL 2021
Tickets on
sale now!
Adults £20-25, Kids £2.50
5th December
Wembley Stadium
Connected by ee
westhamwomen
thefa.com/ticketing

ONES TO WATCH
Abbie McManus
Defender Abbie McManus joined
after leaving Manchester United in
July 2021, scoring a goal on her
home debut at King Power Stadium
against her previous club. The
28-year-old, who spent last term
on loan at Tottenham Hotspur,
bolsters the backline and provides
a heap of experience as an England
international who featured at the
2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
McManus started her career with
Manchester City, playing over 100
times across two spells, following
her WSL debut in 2014. The
decorated centre back won the
WSL title, two Women’s FA Cups
and the League Cup twice during
her time at City, also playing in a
UEFA Women’s Champions League
Semi-Final.
Natasha Flint
Last season’s top
goalscorer Natasha Flint
netted 21 times across all
competitions, including
17 in the FA Women’s
Championship as she
helped fire LCFC Women
to the second-tier title
for the first time, during
her maiden season with
the Club, having signed
from Blackburn Rovers
ahead of 2020/21. Capped
by England at youth
international level, the
forward hit the ground
running on her return to the
WSL - where she played for
Manchester City between
2014 and 2015 - scoring in
the Foxes’ maiden top-flight
fixture at Aston Villa.
23
Jess Sigsworth
One of seven signings to be
recruited over the summer,
26-year-old striker Jess
Sigsworth adds experience
and goals to the squad after
making the move from
fellow Barclays FA Women’s
Super League outfit
Manchester United, where
she spent the last three
seasons, scoring 26 goals
in 66 games. She was part
of the Red Devils squad that
earned promotion into the
top-flight by winning the
Championship in 2018/19.
The Doncaster native,
who began her career at
Doncaster Rovers Belles,
also represented England up
to Under-23s level.
westhamwomen

WHUW v Leicester City
FOUNDATION
W
est Ham United has joined
forces with CUP26 - a
tournament by Planet
Super League with the support of
Count Us In, encouraging football
fans to take climate action. CUP26
harnesses the global passion for the
sport to fight climate change on an
unprecedented scale.
In CUP26 fans sign up for free at
cup26.co.uk and score goals for
their club by completing planetprotecting
activities. Clubs play
weekly fixtures against their rivals
and the supporters who score the
most goals win the match. There are
100 goal-scoring activities on the
website, including having a delicious
plant-based meal, cycling and
walking, and having a screen-free
evening. The Planet Super League
trophy will be awarded to the
tournament winner in the first week
of COP26.
CUP26 is the biggest ever
football fan campaign focussed
on climate change. West Ham
United Foundation has joined 48
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other football club community
organisations across the country,
including: Tottenham, Arsenal,
Leicester, Southampton, Chesterfield
and Northampton coming together
to fight climate change.
As the world looks ahead
to COP26 in November, the
tournament kicked off this month,
with football clubs leveraging
the passion of their fans, raising
awareness, driving citizen climate
action, and creating real momentum
ahead of the climate conference.
CUP26 is supported by the UK
Government’s campaign Together
for Our Planet as well as media
partner Sky. At a critical time for the
planet it shows that everyday fans,
families and the wider public care
about climate change and are willing
to do their part. But they want their
leaders to do more too, and deliver
solutions at COP26 that will prevent
further climate change.
Managing Director at West Ham
United Foundation, Kerry Downes,
said: “As a club we are committed
to reducing our environmental
impact and so it’s important to us
that through our efforts we educate,
empower and engage supporters,
individuals and communities to do
so too. This tournament is a great
opportunity for everybody across
the West Ham family to unite and
compete for the CUP26 trophy,
while doing what they can to help
the planet.”
Tom Gribbin, CEO of Planet Super
League said: “CUP26 is our largest
tournament, with over half the
professional football clubs in the
UK taking part. Fans of all ages can
represent their club, do their bit for
the planet and help compete for
the trophy. We’re delighted to be
working alongside Count Us In and
we look forward to sharing exciting
moments and surprises as the
season unfolds.”
After their first fixture against
Luton, this week sees the Hammers
take on Reading FC. West Ham
United fans, schools and families
can sign up for free on cup26.co.uk.

westhamwomen
25

WHUW v Leicester City
In this weekend’s edition of the
‘Meet Me’ section of the programme
– we sat down with wing-back ZANETA
WYNE, to get to know everything about
the 31-year-old.
Where are you from?
I’m from Laguna Beach, California
- born and raised!
MEET ME
ZANETE
WYNE
When did you start playing
football?
I started playing football when I
was 11! Originally, I really wanted
to be a competitive swimmer,
but the hours that you needed to
commit were a little much for my
family at the time. I had way too
much energy, so my dad put me
into football, and I really loved the
team sport aspect, and I’ve stuck
with it ever since.
What did your family think when
you said you wanted to be a
professional footballer?
My dad was really supportive, he
saw that I was good and took the
time to take me to tournaments
and matches. I’m really thankful for
that because the amount of time
parents have to put into their kids,
damn – it’s a lot.
Did you play in a different position
whilst playing at a younger age?
Man, I played in every single
position possible except as a
goalkeeper. I had a small sniff at
westhamwomen

eing a forward, but then they
started to move me further back
after seeing me play there!
Who were your idols growing up?
Zinedine Zidane, he was a big one
for me. When I got older, I looked
up to Marta a lot too!
Best player you’ve played against?
That would have to be Ji So-yun –
you think you’re going to get the
ball and then she’s past you.
Best player you’ve played with?
Honestly, there have been so many
that I can’t narrow it down to just
one! I’m going to stay neutral and
not say anything!
What’s your go to goal
celebration?
I’ve been thinking about this
one, it’s to be confirmed at the
moment! If I score a goal you will
all see it!
How would your friends describe
you in terms of your personality?
All of the things that I’m about to
say are probably also familiar to a
friendly dog, I’m bubbly, friendly,
easy going and good to be around.
Hopefully I make people feel
comfortable around me too!
Do you have a guilty pleasure?
Chocolate and Big Bang Theory
– the two combined are great.
Chocolate Chip cookies are also
amazing.
What’s your favourite film or TV
show?
Well Big Bang Theory, New Girl –
Friends is one that’s come back
onto the list. Movie wise, I’m really
into Disney too.
With that in mind, what’s your
favourite Disney film?
That’s a tough one, but it’s
between Lion King and Little
Mermaid.
Do you have a signature dish that
you like to cook?
I don’t have a signature dish as
such. I like to cook what I want on
the day so that I don’t waste any
food – you end up getting to the
end of the week and throwing out
lots of food otherwise. I do love to
cook though!
Do you have any other hobbies or
interests outside of football?
I like doing a lot of things –
Brunching is up there, give me a
good brunch and I’m there! I like to
go hiking and just see the sights to
be honest.
If you could win one trophy in
the world throughout your whole
career, which would it be?
That’s a great question and I’ve
never actually thought about it. I
would love to win the League or
the FA Cup. If the opportunity ever
came up, then the Champions
League would be awesome! Other
than that, being more successful
than the day before is enough for
me.
What’s the funniest thing you’ve
ever seen on a football pitch?
I’m keeping everything anonymous
here, but a mate of mine lost an
odds-on in the dressing room
one day at training. It was a crazy
high number, and I can’t believe
someone actually got it. She had
to run in her underwear from the
changing room to the pitch – and
the coaches were already out
there and had no idea! We were all
just dying with laughter!
If you could know the absolute
truth to any question in the world,
what would that question be?
That’s a deep question! Probably
just something about my own
emotions and me as a person.
For me, I’d like to have a deeper
understanding of myself.
QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS!
Instagram or Snapchat?
Instagram
Cats or Dogs?
Dogs
Champions League or World Cup?
World Cup
Score from 40 yards or dribble
past every player to score?
If I could do either that would be
great! I’d probably rather dribble
past everyone if I got the chance!
westhamwomen
27

WHUW v Leicester City
Date Opponent H/A Venue Kick Off Comp Res Goalscorers
Sun 5 Sept 2021 Brighton & Hove Albion A The Amex 2pm FA WSL 2-0
Sat 11 Sept 2021 Aston Villa H Victoria Road 11:30am FA WSL 1-1 A. Leon
Sun 26 Sept 2021 Leicester City H Victoria Road 3pm FA WSL
Sun 3 Oct 2021 Manchester City A Academy Stadium 2pm FA WSL
Sun 10 Oct 2021 Birmingham City H Victoria Road 3pm FA WSL
Wed 13 Oct 2021 London City Lionesses A Princes Park 7pm CC
Sun 7 Nov 2021 Arsenal A Boreham Wood 3pm FA WSL
Sun 14 Nov 2021 Reading H Victoria Road 3pm FA WSL
Wed 17 Nov 2021 Birmingham City A St Andrews 7:30pm CC
Sun 21 Nov 2021 Tottenham Hotspur H Victoria Road 3pm FA WSL
Sun 12 Dec 2021 Everton A Walton Hall Park 1pm FA WSL
Wed 15 Dec 2021 Brighton & Hove Albion H Victoria Road 7:30pm CC
Sun 19 Dec 2021 Chelsea A Kingsmeadow 2pm FA WSL
Sun 9 Jan 2022 Manchester United H Victoria Road 3pm FA WSL
Sun 16 Jan 2022 Tottenham Hotspur A The Hive 2pm FA WSL
Sun 23 Jan 2022 Everton H Victoria Road 3pm FA WSL
Sun 6 Feb 2022 Aston Villa A Bescot Stadium 6pm FA WSL
Sun 13 Feb 2022 Leicester City A King Power Stadium 2pm FA WSL
Sun 6 Mar 2022 Chelsea H Victoria Road 3pm FA WSL
Sun 13 Mar 2022 Birmingham City A St Andrews 2pm FA WSL
Sun 27 Mar 2022 Brighton & Hove Albion H Victoria Road 3pm FA WSL
Sun 3 Apr 2022 Manchester City H Victoria Road 3pm FA WSL
Sun 24 Apr 2022 Reading A Select Car Leasing Stadium 2pm FA WSL
Sun 1 May 2022 Manchester United A Leigh Sports Village 12pm FA WSL
Sun 8 May 2022 Arsenal H Victoria Road 12:30pm FA WSL
CC= Continental Cup. All fixture times and dates subject to change.
westhamwomen
FIXTURES
& RESULTS

SQUAD STATISTICS
2021/22 SEASON
CORRECT AS OF MONDAY 13TH SEPT
29
Barclays FA Women’s Super League
Barclays
FA WSL
POS TEAM P W D L GD PTS
1 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 2 0 0 7 6
2 ARSENAL 2 2 0 0 5 6
3 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 2 0 0 4 6
4 TOTTENHAM 2 2 0 0 2 6
5 ASTON VILLA 2 1 1 0 1 4
6 CHELSEA 2 1 0 1 3 3
7 MANCHESTER CITY 2 1 0 1 3 3
8 WEST HAM UNITED 2 0 1 1 -2 1
9 LEICESTER CITY 2 0 0 2 -3 0
10 BIRMINGHAM CITY 2 0 0 2 -6 0
11 READING 2 0 0 2 -6 0
12 EVERTON 2 0 0 2 -8 0
Continental
League Cup
Women’s
FA Cup
No: Name: Nationality: APP SUB GLS APP SUB GLS APP SUB GLS APP GlS
1 MACKENZIE ARNOLD AUS 2 2 0
2 ZANETA WYNE USA 2 2 0
4 ABBEY-LEIGH STRINGER ENG 2 2 0
5 GILLY FLAHERTY ENG 2 2 0
7 LISA EVANS SWI 2 2 0
9 CLAUDIA WALKER ENG 2 2 0
10 KATERINA SVITKOVA CZE 0 0
12 KATE LONGHURST ENG 1 1 2 0
13 TAMEKA YALLOP AUS 0 0
14 YUI HASEGAWA JAP 1 1 0
15 LUCY PARKER ENG 1 1 2 0
17 MEL FILIS ENG 2 2 0
18 ANNA LEAT NZL 0 0
19 ADRIANA LEON CAN 2 1 2 1
20 LOIS JOEL ENG 1 1 0
22 GRACE FISK ENG 1 1 0
23 HAWA CISSOKO FRA 1 1 0
24 BROOKE CAIRNS ENG 0 0
25 GRACE GARRAD ENG 0 0
27 MAISY BARKER ENG 0 0
32 DAGNY BRYNJARSDOTTIR ISL 1 1 0
LEAGUE TABLES 2021/22
1 = FA WSL Champions | 2 & 3 = Champions League qualification | 12 = Relegation
westhamwomen
Total

WHUW v Leicester City
WEST HAM UNITED 1-1 ASTON VILLA
Barclays FA Women’s Super League
fter a long and hard fight,
West Ham United were
Aunfortunate to be held to a
tough 1-1 draw in the Barclays FA
Women’s Super League against
Aston Villa.
The team in Claret and Blue
were all over the ball early doors,
applying lots of pressure to the
Villa backline, and it was from this
which Adriana Leon put the home
team 1-0 up with a well-placed
finish in the eighth minute.
It was an even fight in the second
half with the players running
lengths of the pitch. There were
shots on target for both teams,
but it was Remi Allen who found
the back of the net in injury time,
denying West Ham United victory.
The Hammers dominated in the
opening 20 minutes, with Leon
westhamwomen
grabbing her goal after some
superb work from wing-back, Lisa
Evans to win the ball back in the
opposition penalty area.
The Canadian forward almost
scored again as she raced with Villa
‘keeper, Hannah Hampton for the
ball only moments later, but the
ball was just out of reach and the
former Birmingham shot-stopper
cleared the ball away.
It was then the away sides turn
to create some opportunities, as
Sarah Mayling tested Mackenzie
Arnold from a free-kick and then
Alisha Lehmann then tried her luck,
but again, Arnold was equal to it.
In the second half, Dagny
Brynjarsdottir had a golden
opportunity to put the Hammers
2-0 up and firmly in control, but
the Icelandic midfielder’s pointblank
header was kept out by
Hampton.
Carla Ward’s team then went on
the attack in the final 20 minutes of
the game, launches long balls into
the area. Arnold did well to stop
substitute, Shania Hayles’ effort
from ending up in the back of the
net with a superb save at the near
post.
But the equaliser eventually came
deep into additional time, as Villa
skipper Remi Allen headed in after
a deflected shot bounced the way
of the midfielder – as the points
were shared in east London.
After the full-time whistle, West
Ham United women’s manager Olli
Harder was frustrated that his side
conceded so late on.
“Firstly, we weren’t efficient
enough when we had the time and
moments to score, we need to take
those chances. The goal at the end
was a sucker punch but we also
need to be better and owning our
moments.
“It was a complicated last 10
minutes with that ball coming long
every time, we tried to deal with it,
but we didn’t and now the game
has finished level and we miss out
on our first three points of the
season.
“It’s not good enough for us to
go out here and get one point.
Full respect to Villa, I thought they
played well, but we need to be
looking higher than just getting
one point against Aston Villa, we
need to be winning these matches.
“It’s frustrating because we were
so close, but we need to manage
the game better. It’s about being
switched on as well, clearing the
lines well, and doing the basics
well, and we didn’t do the basics
well enough throughout the
match.
Had we completed the basics,
then we could have taken all three
points,” he said.
Mackenzie Arnold also shared her
manager’s frustration at the fulltime
whistle.
“It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t
get the win today.
“It’s frustrating because we were
so close, but we need to learn from
this experience and make sure it
doesn’t happen again this season.
“If we take the chances that we
have, then it becomes a different
game. That’s something we need
to improve on moving forward.
We had lots of opportunities in the
first half and one big chance in the
second, so we need to be making
more of those.
“I think we need to put our
chances away earlier so we
can be on the front foot. But to
be honest the overall feeling is
disappointment because we were
so close to all three points.”

Barclays is celebrating 20 years of commitment to the game we
all love, first as title sponsor of the Premier League, and now the
Barclays FA Women’s Super League. And it’s still all to play for.
Visit Barclays.com/20years to see the full story