Hi Bex, as one of the Vixens longest-serving players can you tell us a bit about your role within the club?

I am currently the Chairperson for Northwich Vixens Ladies Football Club and I play for the first team in the position of central midfield.

Tell us about the history of the club?

Northwich Vixens Ladies Football Club was established by Chairperson Fred Burgess in 2008 entering the Cheshire and manchester league. At the beginning of the Vixens I was fortunate to be the first team captain and became extremely proud of our phenomenal first season, winning first League title and promotion, and reaching the semi-final of both the Cheshire and league cup.
Our second season 2009/2010 saw further improvement winning a league and cup double. We completed the league undefeated, winning 17, and drawing just one game – scoring a magnificent 106 goals.
We went on to complete a treble of league titles! In our third season, we completed the season with a 100% winning record scoring 152 goals, and gained promotion from the Cheshire and manchester league, into the North West Regional League which we compete in today.
I took on the role of Chairperson in 2012 in company with other players in key roles to keep the club running and to continue our commitment to Women’s Football and its development.

How do you think the club has developed over the last few seasons?

In 2019 we made an official partnership with Northwich Vickies Junior girls football teams. This pathway provides girls and women the opportunity to play football from as young as under 9 right through to open age football. This relationship has attracted more players from the surrounding communities to come and play for the Vixens and as result, we were able to set up Northwich Vixens development LFC. Our development team competes in the Cheshire Women’s and Youth Football league in their second season, again supporting the growth and development of girls and women’s football something I am very passionate about.
Our first team has had a magnificent run in the FA cup both last season and this season and is evidence of the improvement in both the quality of the players and coaching ability we have at our club.

Favourite football career moment to date and why?

I am extremely proud to be a Vixen and I am extremely proud of all the club has achieved over the last decade. However, my favourite football career-high has to be when I captained Manchester United women’s football first team when I was 18 years old. During this season we won the double, winning the league title and league cup title. Lifting these trophies, appearing in the club’s brochure issued at the men’s game on match day was an amazing feeling especially because I was playing for the club I have supported my whole life and it felt like a dream come true.

What is your vision for the club for the future?

I feel Northwich Vixens has a stable and strong foundation in place now. I have a great team of coaches and officials who dedicate their time and commitment to making the club run effectively and efficiently. We have over 50 players playing for the club and that speaks volumes. Our club attracts and retains players because of its friendly inclusive environment.
Going forward there have been some conversations had with Northwich Victoria FC and this is something I will be developing over the next few months to see how we can build closer relations to truly get involved in our Northwich community. This is a very exciting time for the club and it truly is an amazing feeling to be a part of our Vixen family.

Congratulations Emma on your new appointment as Captain of Northwich Vixens, are you looking forward to the challenge?

Thank you. I’m really looking forward to a new challenge, we have a really strong team and everyone is working hard to get prepared for the new season. It will be great to get back to competitive football it’s been a big part of my routine for as long as I can remember so it’s certainly strange to step away from it for so long.

Can you give us some background about yourself, How did you get into women’s football?

My Mum really wanted me to have a hobby when I was younger and she took me to ballet, gymnastics, horse riding but I didn’t persist with any of them, then when I started with the football club at primary school, I was really in to it and I think Mum was just happy for me to be burning off all the energy I had. I was one of two girls training with the boys team and I didn’t get a lot of game time back then. It wasn’t until High School when I was told about the Cheshire Youth Games and Vale Royal looking to enter a girls football team. This was such a great experience with other girls who loved the game, and from here, the coach Tony Lee, invited us all to join his team in Winsford, Winsford Junior Girls. When the majority of the girls in the team became open age, there was no where to play locally, so Winsford Ladies FC was formed in 2004 to accommodate the squad allowing us to continue to play together as a ladies team.

How long have you been at Northwich Vixens?

I joined Northwich Vixens in 2018

How have you seen the club develop since you joined?

The club has developed massively since I joined. The club have made an affiliation with Northwich Vickies which is a great step for girls football locally as there is now a direct pathway for the younger teams right through to open age, and options to play and develop. We also have a development squad which gives players so much more opportunity than before.

Have you captained a team before or will this be your first time?

I was captain with Winsford from the age of 15, right through to when the team became Witton Albion Ladies FC in 2016. I then took a break as I was pregnant and had my little boy in 2017.

What do you enjoy most about playing for Northwich Vixens?

The dedication from all of the players and coaches. Everyone shares the same values and is there to put in maximum effort week in week out. It’s a great pleasure to play beside such quality players with so much skill and experience. Watching the team bond and grow these last few years has been a great feeling as there are so many exciting new challenges to come, and I believe if we put our mind to it and stick together we can really take it to the next level.

Favourite career moment to date and why?

I’ll always remember winning the league in the first season we had as a ladies football club and the deciding game was vs Manchester City. We only needed a draw to secure the league title and the game finished 1-1. The celebrations afterwards were the most memorable and included City giving up their cake that they had made ready to crown them as league champions! It tasted even better for us! 

Who do you support?

Manchester United

And finally what are you hoping the new 20/21 season will bring for Northwich Vixens?

I go into every season believing we can win the league, it’s the only way to play as far as I’m concerned! There will be tough opposition, and challenges along the way, but I truly believe the team has the strength and ability to win the league in the 20/21 season. Watch this space!