Laura Morgan has recently agreed to become a Trust Officer, and will bring a lot to Swindon Town Supporters Trust ambitions, helping us build vital links into the women’s game. The first step along these lines was agreed at our last board meeting when we confirmed that we will become a sponsor of Swindon Town Women.
We asked Laura to give us some background on herself, and also to introduce the team – who play at the County Ground for the first time this Sunday 31 October at 2pm. Read more on the official site by clicking here.
All Trust members can attend for free – so please make every effort to get down there and cheer our team on.
Laura Morgan
I’m 41 years old, with 4 children (3 boys and a girl) all under the age of eight. I am hoping at least one of them will take an interest and want to play football soon.
I first joined Swindon Town women in 1999 scoring 148 goals in the 17 years I was with the club. I hung up my playing boots in 2016 and crossed over to the other side and am currently a level 5 (senior county) referee. The transition from having a whole team backing you up during a game to being out there alone was a challenge, but certainly one I accepted!
At the start of the 2021/22 season I joined the Swindon Town women’s committee as player liaison officer. My main aim is to help players have a voice off the pitch as they can help shape the club for the future.
When I do get time to myself I love doing a peloton cycling class or getting out in the fresh air and walking my two dogs, Oreo and Biscuit.
Sophie Mitchell
What is your day job?
Waitrose Partner
How long have you been with STWFC?
2 Seasons
Who did you play for before that?
Swindon foundation
What position do you play? What is that like?
Striker/just behind striker – it is a great position to have an impact on the final result – quite pressurising at times though
What are your ambitions in the sport?
To get a degree at uni in the topic of sport and push my football career as far as it can go
What is your proudest moment as a player?
Winning the college cup for C6 when we were 2-1 down at St George’s Park
What’s your 5 year vision for STWFC?
To keep pushing and hopefully get into tier 3 and win cups along the way
Rianne Bourne-Hallett
What is your day job?
Sales Administrator
How long have you been with STWFC?
3 years
Who did you play for before that?
St Nicks and Bristol Academy
What position do you play? What is that like?
Centre Midfield. It’s hard work but rewarding.
What are your ambitions in the sport?
I want to keep pushing on through the leagues with this club and play at the highest level possible.
What is your proudest moment as a player?
Winning the cup final with St Nicks and lifting the cup with my Son
What’s your 5 year vision for STWFC?
I want us to be playing in the highest league possible as a professional outfit. I also want us to keep working alongside our men’s team including at press conferences and kit launches etc.
Jen Gray
What is your day job?
Property Executive
How long have you been with STWFC?
2 years
Who did you play for before that?
I spent 3 years out of football travelling, but was at St Nicholas before that.
What position do you play? What is that like?
Centre back. I love it, despite the bruises and concussions that come with the role.
What are your ambitions in the sport?
To play as high level as I can for as long as I can before I hang my boots up. Being one of the older players my aim to support the younger players coming up and help them achieve.
What is your proudest moment as a player?
In University we won the Welsh premiership meaning we got to play in the champions league qualifying rounds which was pretty cool. Although beating Cheltenham 3-2 under the lights in my first 90 minutes for the club was a great moment.
What’s your 5 year vision for STWFC?
Over the next 5 years I’d love to see the club progress leagues. With the support of the Men’s club I think this is more than achievable. It would be great to see even more of the C6 girls coming up to the senior side and building strength in the squad. I’d love to see the devs move into the development league and compete at that level as well. As a club we have the foundations to do really well, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do over the coming years.
Tori Taylor
What is your day job?
Insurance Account Manager
How long have you been with STWFC?
4th season (2nd stint!)
Who did you play for before that?
West Ham
What position do you play? What is that like?
Number 9 or Number 10. I enjoy being high up the pitch, it’s exciting to think when the ball comes to me, how can the team score. I like to combine and involve my team mates so really enjoy playing one touch football and making the opposition defence run around!
What are your ambitions in the sport?
Continue playing at the highest level possible. Promotion this year with the team
What is your proudest moment as a player?
Playing at Upton Park or scoring the winner in the BUCS final as captain
What’s your 5 year vision for STWFC?
I think it’s time for the women’s team to build in the next 5yrs and that involves players, coaches, managers, committee, board, and, hopefully, STFC all working towards becoming semi-professional and then professional. You can’t do that without results. So having the best group of players for the level we’re at to keep winning and attracting a positive cycle of investment, excitement and results.
Megan Attenborough
What is your day job?
Personal trainer
How long have you been with STWFC?
2 years (4 years combined)
Who did you play for before that?
In America on a scholarship
What position do you play? What is that like?
Centre mid, more of a number 10! It’s great I get to attack a lot and allows me to be creative whilst playing
What are your ambitions in the sport?
To continue to progress up the football pyramid and play at the highest level for me
What is your proudest moment as a player?
Going to America on a scholarship and getting MVP two years running
What’s your 5 year vision for STWFC?
To get promoted into tier 3 and stay successful in that league! Also to have a long FA cup run
Annabelle Colston
What is your day job?
Working at Asda
How long have you been with STWFC?
Since July 2021
Who did you play for before that?
I have played for numerous clubs, Aylesford, Gillingham, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion.
What position do you play? What is that like?
Striker. It’s great to be able to lead the team from the front in the attacks. I have to be focused and switched on at all times, especially on the counter attacks. I also have to be calm and composed in front of goal.
What are your ambitions in the sport?
Since returning from a break from football after having my daughter, my ambitions would be to climb back up the leagues and play at a professional level.
What is your proudest moment as a player?
I have two. My first one would be winning the capital women’s cup with Tottenham Hotspur. My second would be getting back into football to the standard Swindon Women are, after having my Daughter.
What’s your 5 year vision for STWFC?
I’d love for the bridge between the men’s team and women’s team to be closer, and us become more united as one club. I hope for the women’s team to progress and be able to get promoted into the higher leagues.
Amy Leask
What is your day job?
PE teacher
How long have you been with STWFC?
2 and a half years
Who did you play for before that?
Cheltenham Town
What position do you play? What is that like?
Centre Back – I like having the game in front of me and building the attack.
What are your ambitions in the sport?
My ambitions are to win the league with Swindon Town.
What is your proudest moment as a player?
Beating Cheltenham last season
What’s your 5 year vision for STWFC?
To keep getting stronger, get promoted, see how far we can go in the FA cup and continue to build a strong platform with the men’s team.
Alice Bowden
What is your day job?
Currently on maternity leave after having a baby a year ago! Normally a nursery nurse!
How long have you been with STWFC?
I’m basically part of the furniture… 8 years I think!
Who did you play for before that?
Swindon Supermarine – I also left for a few months and signed for United 3 years ago but came back!
What position do you play? What is that like?
Anywhere across the back! I love a big tackle!!
What are your ambitions in the sport?
My ambitions have changed since welcoming my daughter a year ago, I want to show her how amazing women’s sport is and how she can achieve anything! When I’m playing I just want to make her proud and inspire her!
What is your proudest moment as a player?
Receiving my 100 appearance award for playing for this club!
What’s your 5 year vision for STWFC?
I would love the see us have more teams under us (youth level) to have a clear pathway to the first team, continue on the relationship we have with the men’s club and have an equal partnership using the same facilities and supporting each other!
Emily Mcgrogan
What is your day job?
6th form student
How long have you been with STWFC?
Since May 2021
Who did you play for before that?
Lydiard Youth FC & Swindon CFFE
What position do you play? What is that like?
Goalkeeper. Being a goalkeeper is a fun position to play in pulling off saves and seeing the look on the strikers face when they thought they had scored but it can be challenging at times as you are constantly under a microscope easily can go from a hero to a villain in seconds. To be a goalkeeper you have to have a good washing machine too as you will 100% be coming home with a brown kit at the end of the game.
What are your ambitions in the sport?
I would like to play professionally & play at the highest possible level.
What is your proudest moment as a player?
My proudest moment as a player is being nominated for England school girl trials or saving 3 penalties & scoring the winner in the Barcelona cup with Swindon
What’s your 5 year vision for STWFC?
My overall vision for STWFC in the next 5 years is to continue with the progression the group is making. Hopefully gain more funding and supporters for the team.
Kaylen Gerkey
What is your day job?
I am a teacher, but currently I am not working. I am helping STWFC with their social media.
How long have you been with STWFC?
Since July 2021
Who did you play for before that?
CD Getafe Femenino (in Spain)
What position do you play? What is that like?
I play centre mid, but sometimes also centre back. I absolutely love it. It requires a lot of focus and hard work, but you also have the joy of making great passes and watching your teammates score off your pass.
What are your ambitions in the sport?
Since I was little I have always wanted to play professionally achieve something. The last three years in Spain I did that and I am happy to still be able to play at a high level as I get older.
What is your proudest moment as a player?
Probably playing for the Arizona Wildcats club and almost winning a National Title (we were runners up in 2008). It was an epic experience. Also, last year I won the League Title with CD Getafe and we almost got promoted to the second division. Lost in the playoffs.
What’s your 5 year vision for STWFC?
I would love to see the women being fully connected with the men’s side, funding, kit, ground, etc. But also to see the women promoted and in the third tier fighting to get promoted and attracting more players and then be able to expand their younger teams even more.
Imogen Webb
What is your day job?
Sports Therapist
How long have you been with STWFC?
3 months
Where were you before that?
Before joining STWFC I was a student where I completed Student Placements with Birmingham City FC, Alvechurch FC and Chippenham Town FC.
What do you do at STWFC?
I’m the Sports Therapist – I’m really enjoying it so far and finding it rewarding when players return successfully from injury and rehabilitation.
What are your ambitions in the sport?
My ambition is to work full-time as a sports therapist for a football club. Throughout my student placements I’ve gained a wide range of experience from professional football through to non-league semi-professional, as well as academy level, and to now working with women as well as men. I’m really enjoying getting to experience different areas within the sport.
What is your proudest moment?
My proudest moment so far is completing my ITMMIF (Intermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football) as a lot of hard work and effort was required. I also feel very proud when the players positively respond to rehabilitation all the way from initial injury to return to play.
What’s your 5 year vision for STWFC?
I think it would be great to see even more integration with the Men’s side of the club. The progress that has been done already has had a huge impact on the women’s side so further integration would be a really good step forward for STWFC. For women’s football as a whole it would be great to see more exposure of the sport and I think would be a really good way to increase participation levels in women playing sport and in particular football.
Mike Peacock
What is your day job?
Strength & Conditioning (S&C) Coach, Performance Support Lead, Associate Lecturer In S&C and rehabilitation.
How long have you been with STWFC?
April 2020 (20 months)
Where were you before that?
In football, I’ve previously been at STFC in 2013 and Leyton Orient in 2010 with the men’s 1st teams. I currently support Olympic and Paralympic athletes, most recently to into the postponed Tokyo 2020 games with GB Wheelchair Rugby and GB Wheelchair Fencing. Prior to that I spent 5 years working at a performance and rehabilitation centre supporting professional jockeys, eventers and dressage riders. Prior to that I have had various S&C roles in rugby union and league, swimming and tennis.
What do you do at STWFC?
I’m currently Head of Performance Support, leading and coordinating the performance and medical department that supports the players and staff. Last years COVID season made that difficult to get going, but the girls have really taken to the depth and professionalism of support. We have Imogen and I as lead practitioners, with great support from three University of West England (UWE) rehab & conditioning placements in Abbie, Ella and Anthony (Tony). They all bring their own energy, experience and professionalism to the environment. Tony Has been doing a great job supporting our newly formed U16’s training nights with Coaches Adam Wood and Ellie Burgess. Albbie, Ella and Tony also rotate to support all our First and Development teams on matchdays too. Getting back under the County Ground roof and utilising their weight room space has been really beneficial too. Due to training pitch availability, we lift prior to training twice a week. The girls have really got on board with why it’s important to be stronger, not for performance benefits, but for improving their health and resilience to injuries too. The U16’s also utilise the gym space on Wednesday nights too. As club, we talk a lot about female health. It’s important we educate the players and staff around what healthy is,; making conversations around menstrual cycle, body image and relative energy deficiency (RED-S) really common, open and easy to talk about. These kind of topics have been historically difficult to talk about, especially when you’re a young female with a male coach. Our aim is to be as open and honest as possible, a home away from home where we are all challenged, supported and developed continuously.
What are your ambitions in the sport?
Ultimately, for each of the girls to be the healthiest, happiest and physically competent they can be. These three things will only contribute to their performance on the pitch, so we can continue to progress through the league and cup competitions.
What is your proudest moment?
Seeing the girls become more confident as people, and how they have developed, become more independent and coached each other in the gym has been brilliant (A first time environment for some). Owning their performance on the field has been a gamechanger too. They are really driving each other to be the best they can be. At that is showing in our recent results.
What’s your 5 year vision for STWFC?
I can only see us getting better as a club and team. Our physical preparation support staff has grown from two, to five and the coaching team from three to eight people including our new U16s team, all volunteers. In five years, I’d love for us to be knocking on the door of the FA Women’s Championship and be pushing the upper limits of the National League. A very real ambition with a little support from STFC and external partners.
David Tomlinson
What is your day job?
PE teacher/ sports coach
How long have you been with STWFC?
This is my second season
Where were you before that?
I still coach for FC Wiltshire under 9’s and under 11’s.
What do you do at STWFC?
Goalkeeper coach
What are your ambitions in the sport?
To coach at as high a level as I can.
What is your proudest moment?
Coaching children with learning difficulties and seeing them really progress in football at a good level.
What’s your 5 year vision for STWFC?
To keep improving the great goal keepers we have at the club and hopefully a few promotions on the way!
Jamie Lloyd Davies
What is your day job?
Lecturer in Sport
How long have you been with STWFC?
2+ years
Where were you before that?
Previously with STFC academy
What do you do at STWFC?
First Team Manager
What are your ambitions in the sport?
To achieve promotion with STWFC
What is your proudest moment?
Being accepted on the UEFA A Licence
What’s your 5 year vision for STWFC?
Promotion, growth of senior and youth sections, and continue to build on the connections with the new board and ownership.