As Nottingham Forest Women continue their impressive campaign at the top of the FA Women’s National League (FA WNL) Northern Premier Division, club captain Lyndsey Harkin remains a pivotal figure in their journey.
A lifelong Forest supporter, Harkin has made over 300 appearances for the club, embodying leadership, dedication, and a deep connection to the team. From making her debut at just 14 years old to now leading the squad towards potential promotion, she reflects on her journey, inspirations, and the drive that fuels the team’s ambitions.
Harkin’s football journey began close to home. “My older brother was the reason I got into football as I wanted to copy everything that he did,” she recalls. The sport quickly became a family affair, with her parents and grandparents travelling far and wide to support her.
Now, with a young family of her own, she finds new motivation to continue to push boundaries and set an example. As a lifelong Forest fan, she fondly remembers attending matches with her dad and brother, admiring players like Andy Reid. In the women’s game, her inspirations included Kelly Smith and Rachel Yankey, whose skill and tenacity left a lasting impression.
Her debut for Nottingham Forest Women came at the remarkable age of just 14 years old when she was introduced as a substitute against Aston Villa in a narrow 4-3 defeat. Her first start followed soon after against Curzon Ashton, marking the beginning of a long and dedicated career at the club.
Harkin told me, “Home games for Forest that season were at Basford United, which has changed a lot since 2005.” Today, she regularly plays at the club’s home, the City Ground. She adds, “I still pinch myself that we get to play there every week.”
Under previous manager Andy Cook, the club built a strong foundation, and current managers Amber Wildgust and Carly Davies Harkin explains that the pair, along with their team of staff, have taken the team to new heights. “The club has continued on a positive trajectory and continues to improve. It is amazing that so many young girls can now realistically dream of being a professional footballer for Nottingham Forest. The owner and the club have backed us, and I look forward to seeing the continued growth. The future is bright.”
The success of Nottingham Forest’s men’s team has also played a role in inspiring the women’s squad. “You can feel the buzz around the place at the training ground, stadium, and in the city too,” Harkin notes. This shared sense of ambition and progress is driving the women’s team forward in their pursuit of promotion.
Harkin’s long tenure at the club has been marked by milestones, including her 200th and 300th appearances, both of which were honoured with framed shirts. “One is on the wall and the other is currently kept safe in a cupboard,” she says with a smile.
Her role as captain has evolved over the years, adapting to the needs of an ever-improving squad. “We are fortunate to have a squad that not only boasts talent but is also made up of great people. We have a strong group with many natural leaders within it, both on and off the pitch, with different players stepping up to provide guidance and support. We are all pushing towards the same goal and driving the standards within, which is important for us.”
With Forest currently leading the league and set to compete in the FA WNL Cup Final, the team is exactly where they hoped to be at this stage of the season. “We are in a great position, but we know there is still a long way to go,” Harkin acknowledges.
Reflecting on the previous season, in which Forest finished third behind Newcastle United, she recognises the lessons learned. “Newcastle really set a new standard after going full-time professional and winning the league last year. For us, there was a lot of change at the start of last season with new staff and players. We learned a lot, and it was a great foundation to build on. We’ve added quality and experience across the squad and are continuing to develop as a team.”
Forest’s 6-1 victory in the reverse fixture earlier in the season is not something the team dwells on. “We would never be complacent just because of a previous game. Every game is different, and both squads have evolved significantly since then. Wolves are coming off the back of a good FA Cup run, so we know they’ll be up for this game. We will be ready and prepared, and I’m expecting a tough game with two good sides trying to get the win.”
With a place in the FA WNL Cup Final secured, there is an undeniable excitement within the squad. However, the team remains focused on their league campaign. “It’s the old cliché of taking each game as it comes, focusing on the next one and not looking too far ahead. Cup finals are exciting, especially for our fans, so when the time comes, we’ll be ready.”
Ultimately, promotion to the Championship remains the ultimate goal. “It’s all about staying grounded and not getting ahead of ourselves. We’ve been clear from the outset that promotion is the end goal, but we know the path to get there will have some challenges. We will maintain our focus, aim for consistency week on week, and work hard to achieve our aspirations.”
As Nottingham Forest Women continue their march towards success, Lyndsey Harkin’s leadership and passion remain at the heart of the club’s ambitions. With the support of the fans, the dedication of the squad, and a clear vision for the future, the team is determined to make history.
As a child, I developed a soft spot for the club because of Stuart Pearce being the most famous player who shared my name. For that reason, I would love to see Forest up in the Championship next season and it would be fitting to see Harkin leading the team out in the opening match of the season.
