At just 20 years old, Nottingham Forest striker Aimee Claypole already speaks with the clarity and maturity of a seasoned professional. Born in Bracknell and raised as a Liverpool supporter, Claypole’s journey began at Chelsea, where she spent a decade and signed her first professional contract — an ideal education for someone with big ambitions. “I developed and became the player & person I am now from all my years there… Especially having the opportunity to sign my first professional contract there under Emma Hayes and working with her and world class players on a daily basis.”
Since signing for Nottingham Forest from league rivals Durham, Claypole has made an impressive start, with her goals helping lift the club into fourth position in the Barclays WSL2.
Like many players in the women’s game, her family has been one of the biggest influences on her career. “I think my Dad has probably had the biggest impact on my career so far,” she says. His support has been constant: “Without his commitment from such a young age, I probably wouldn’t be where I am now.” Although Claypole has only been with Forest for a short time, the environment has already helped elevate her performances, earning her the E.ON Next Women’s Player of the Month award for October.
“It was a great feeling for sure… I feel really grateful that they voted for me.”
“It was a great feeling for sure… I feel really grateful that they voted for me.”
She adds: “I’ve had to learn how to be more consistent in my actions since arriving as the competition in the squad is so high and every action has to be done to the best of my ability which is also only going to help improve me.”
Claypole’s senior career has already taken her across several clubs, with Forest being her third team since the start of last season. She spent the first half of 2024/25 with Swedish top-flight side Linköping FC, making 12 appearances and scoring 3 goals, before joining Durham for the second half of the campaign, helping them to a fourth-place finish. Reflecting on that period, she says: “It forced me to get out of my comfort zone and really mature as a player and person which has had a big impact on me.”
With such movement comes challenges both on and off the pitch — something Claypole acknowledges openly. “I think it’s really difficult to move around a lot, especially on short loan deals as it can be hard to settle in when you know you’re only there for a short period of time,” she admits. “It also can be hard to find a rhythm on the pitch as you have to learn a new style of football in a short period of time and then be expected to perform immediately.”
And when moving abroad, the challenges multiply. “It obviously takes a toll away from the pitch too… particularly when moving abroad where things like language is also a daily challenge.”
But despite those obstacles, she says: “The main thing for me was just to enjoy the experiences I was having by throwing myself fully into them… I’m also lucky to have a really supportive network of friends and family which makes it much easier when moving away.”
Being a young forward in a demanding league inevitably brings pressure — something Claypole doesn’t seek to avoid. “It’s definitely tough as a young striker in such a competitive league,” she says. “I think there’s an added level of pressure to score and contribute as a forward at any age and sometimes when you’re young you can feel like that’s the be all and end all.”
While Forest’s squad is packed with attacking competition, she credits the coaching staff and senior players for creating the ideal setting for her development. “I have a great relationship with the other forwards and the rest of the group which makes it such a great environment for me to learn in.”
“I feel comfortable to go and ask anyone in the team for advice… but I also feel comfortable to go and express myself every day in training which is testament to the environment at Forest.”
With Forest pushing among the league’s frontrunners, Claypole is clear about the ambition within the squad. “We definitely had clear targets set out before the beginning of the season,” she confirms. “Many teams are chasing the three possible promotion spaces and we aren’t going to shy away from the fact that we also want one of those spaces.”
Despite significant summer turnover, she believes the team is moving in the right direction. “I think we are in a good position at the moment… you can see the potential in the group and there’s still much more to come from us.”
Individually, her hunger is growing. “I’m happy to have contributed with a few goals and an assist so far this season, but I’m still hungry for more,” she says. “It’s also a really competitive environment… you have to be at your very best every day which I’m enjoying.”
Last time out, Forest fell to a 3–0 defeat to Birmingham City — a difficult result to take. “I don’t think we were at our best on Monday night,” Claypole reflects. “We have to continue to work hard and tidy up in certain areas so that we can compete against the best sides.”
This weekend’s opponents, Sheffield United, have responded well to last season’s relegation and subsequent reinstatement following Blackburn Rovers’ voluntary relegation to the fourth tier. They are unbeaten in four matches and sit just one point behind Forest in sixth place.
On the Blades’ strong form, she says: “We have to respect that… but we also have to know what our strengths are and impose them into the game. We have to believe in ourselves as a group that we can beat anyone in this league when we turn up.”
While Forest are firmly focused on the immediate challenge, the squad can’t help but look forward to the visit of Barclays WSL giants Manchester City on November 22nd — a landmark moment for the club. “The Manchester City game will be an amazing game and opportunity for us to test ourselves against the very best,” she says. “The fact it’s at home in front of all of our fans makes it that extra bit special.”
The broader landscape of women’s football is shifting too, and Claypole is encouraged by what she sees. “I think there is a gap between WSL and WSL2 for sure,” she admits. “However, with the growth of the game and the investment being welcomed by more clubs… that gap is going to start to close.”
She points to London City’s recent progress as a sign of what’s possible: “Hopefully they start a trend for more WSL2 sides.”
For me, Aimee Claypole is unquestionably one to watch. It feels only a matter of time before she’s scoring goals for fun in the top tier — and given the growing investment at Nottingham Forest, that moment may well come in her current colours.
