Histon Ladies FC compete in Eastern Region Women’s Football League Divison One and after yesterday’s 2-1 win against AFC Sudbury, they now sit fourth in the table. I’ve been fortunate enough to catch up with one of their players, Ali Wright.
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am 28 yrs old, from Linton, Cambridgeshire. Started playing from age 6, think I scored my first goal in the back garden at age 4! Have been a Manchester United fan from a young age. A very versatile player, can play pretty much anywhere on the pitch, but mainly defensive mid. Enjoy watching any football. Not a fan of rugby although built for it! And a huge fan of Miranda, takeaways and cosy nights on the sofa, none of this clubbing malarkey!
Who was your biggest footballing inspiration while growing up?
Ok good question, I think whilst growing up it was obviously David Beckham. I remember practising his free kicks on the local green. But then I also have a soft spot for Patrice Evra, absolute great player!
In the Women’s game, I enjoy watching Jordan Nobbs, especially now she’s back from injury, and love Gilly Flaherty’s attitude and passion being a hammer (especially after watching ‘The Worlds Youngest Manager’).
Could you tell me about your experience at youth football?
As said previously I have played since I was about 6. I played for the local village mixed team, called Linton Aztecs, tearing the boys apart in training, only joking haha. Then from u10’s I went over to Cambridge United which was a particular high in my life. As a team smashing in 10+ goals every week. From there I stayed at United through the centre of excellence up to women’s.
Transferred over to Cambridge City Ladies, and had a brief spell at Saffron Walden Town Ladies. I then finally ended up at Long Road Ladies (which was my sixth form at the time). This then progressed further into Great Shelford Ladies, and then after being successful there we needed better facilities, so made the move over to Histon Ladies. Another big highlight of my career was being selected for the county side, which I thoroughly enjoyed as the intensity and standard was much more for me.
Throughout my career I have attended trials at Charlton Athletic, Watford, and Tottenham Hotspur, however never made the cut. So I guess that’s my lowlight unfortunately.
Positionally I’ll play everywhere! From a young age I was a striker, then to midfield, a couple of seasons in the backline, and now back to midfield. I love it! You never know what’s coming each week.
How do you balance your football and your day job?
I just do, because I love it so much. Now I’m a fully-fledged fibre jointer engineer, I have an active job and get pretty tired. So as you can imagine pre-season was difficult but intense, which I enjoyed. Now we’re into the season, training Tuesday evenings late, it can be difficult due to match days on Sundays, back to work on the Monday and then straight back to training Tuesday. But I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love it.
It’s been a mixed start to the season for Histon. What is a realistic target for you to achieve this season?
Top of the table without a doubt! As one of the leaders in the team, I will strive and do everything I can to get the team where we deserve to be, and I do believe we can be up there with the top dogs in the division. Now injuries and holidays seemed to have settled, fingers crossed we will have our strongest squad week in week out and move forward positively.
What are your 3 personal targets for the rest of the season?
1. I guess my main one is helping get Histon Ladies to where they should be in the table, and also in the social media world, and getting the recognition they should after I have taken on the role of social media this season.
2. After receiving numerous top goal scorer trophies over the seasons, I feel with our new signings this may not be in sight this year, however I would love to either be up there close OR receive another award, seeing as it wasn’t a good season for me one just gone.
3. To stay positive no matter the results each week. It’s very easy to dwell and see the negatives when luck doesn’t go our way in some games.
Photo by Gary Reed Photography