Here at Since 71 we pride ourselves on not being stuck in the present and looking forward to the future. Therefore it was a great pleasure to catch up with Ellie Fagan. Ellie is currently plying her trade in Manchester City’s U12 side and I would not rule out seeing her between the sticks for the first team in the future.
Stuart: Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Ellie: My name is Ellie Fagan I am from Liverpool and I play in goal for Manchester City but I actually support Arsenal.
Have you always wanted to be a goalkeeper?
Yeah, I have always wanted to be a goalkeeper ever since I can remember.
What is it about the position that you love the most?
The thing I love the most about playing in goal has to be making saves I don’t think I will ever get bored of doing that.
So saving a goal-bound shot is more fun for you than the thought of scoring a goal?
Definitely! No better feeling than making a massive save in a game.
How has your experience been with boys in football? On the whole are they positive or do you still find that you don’t get the respect that you deserve?
On a whole, it’s been positive for me because I have always trained with boys and played against boys so it’s always just been normal for me I know it isn’t always as positive for other girls which is a real shame. You have to earn respect no matter who you are playing with whether it’s boys or girls.
Which players have impacted your goalkeeping style?
I have my own style but I have definitely taken things from the likes of Neuer, Alisson, Schmeichel, Ederson, Endler, Oblak and most recently Aaron Ramsdale I have been very impressed with him since he has joined Arsenal.
Could you tell me about your experience at youth football? I’m thinking which clubs have you previously played for and is there a particular highlight and/or lowlight?
Clubs I have played for are The Fillies GFC, Crosby Stuart, Preston North End, Liverpool Feds and Manchester City. The highlight so far would definitely be signing for Manchester City fortunately for me I haven’t really had a lowlight in my footballing career so far long may that continue.
You’re obviously at Manchester City. How did this move come about? Did they approach you or was it through trials? How did it feel when you found out that they wanted you to sign for them?
They come to watch me when I had a match I played really well in this game and I was invited down for a couple of training sessions but after the first training session I was offered a place at the club right away.
[blockquote text=”I was over the moon when I received the offer from Manchester City it wasn’t the only offer I had at the time but I felt the club was the best place for me to be. ” show_quote_icon=”yes” text_color=”#dd3333″]
Could you tell me about your experience at youth football? I’m thinking which clubs have you previously played for and is there a particular highlight and/or lowlight?
Clubs I have played for are The Fillies GFC, Crosby Stuart, Preston North End, Liverpool Feds and Manchester City. The highlight so far would definitely be signing for Manchester City fortunately for me I haven’t really had a lowlight in my footballing career so far long may that continue.
You’re obviously at Manchester City. How did this move come about? Did they approach you or was it through trials? How did it feel when you found out that they wanted you to sign for them?
They come to watch me when I had a match I played really well in this game and I was invited down for a couple of training sessions but after the 1st training session I was offered a place at the club right away.
I was over the moon when I received the offer from Manchester City it wasn’t the only offer I had at the time but I felt the club was the best place for me to be.
Who is your biggest footballing inspiration?
My biggest footballing inspiration without a doubt is my brother he takes me to every game and every training session I have. He has never ever missed me playing no matter where or when it is. Constantly supporting, helping and encouraging me to be the best i can possibly be.
Former Manchester United and England goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain recently said that she didn’t get a full time goalkeeping coach until about five years into her adult career. That must be odd for you to think that when she was at the same point you are, more often than not, her ’training’ was mainly just shooting practice for the strikers?
I couldn’t even imagine going into games on the weekend without the preparation of goalkeeper training during the week so I am well aware of the situation and how lucky I have been to receive goalkeeping coaching from the very beginning when others in the past haven’t I do believe it’s exactly what we as goalkeepers deserve I have worked with some amazing coaches like Chris Owens, Andrew Mills, Ryan Jones and Danny Atherton who have helped me so much.
How did last year’s lockdown impact your development? Did the club put on Zoom events and provide a training routine.
I actually think lockdown really helped me improve because with the time off school I was able to train even more I spent a lot of time on Buckley Hill.
How has the current season been going for you?
It’s been good I have been happy with my level of performance throughout the season in training and matches.
What are your personal goals for the rest of the season?
My main goal is to progress to the next age group at the club.
Where would you like to see yourself in ten years time?
In ten years time, I see myself as a professional footballer winning titles and playing England.