Connor reflects on her time at the Posh Women so far and feels positive about the future of the club.
Peterborough United Women defender Niamh Connor takes a look back at her footballing journey, the development of the club and hopes for a successful end to the 2023/24 FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands season.
Dan Lawlor’s side claimed a 6-1 victory on Wednesday evening over Notts County, thanks to goals from Emily Brett, Tara Kirk, Jess Driscoll, Niamh Connor, Poppie Brown and Ella Hilliard. They claimed the three points in front of many fans, with most home fixtures attracting crowds of over 500. Connor is pleased to see how much the club has grown since her time in the academy:
“I’ve been at the club as a whole since I was 14. I went all through the academy setup, got my first team call-up when I was 16 and I’ve just got better as the years have gone on.
“I’m only 20 and this is my third season in this quite competitive league. It’s been helpful how I’ve been a part of it from so young because as I’ve grown as a footballer, the league has grown as well with new teams and better players coming in- it’s definitely made me the player I am today.
“When I first started, the set-up was quite basic. When Bobby [Copping] came in, he completely turned it on its head by introducing things like pre-season camps, all the media we now have, names on the back of our shirts and having our own separate ground. It’s been really beneficial to our development.
“I’m just hoping it gets bigger and bigger and that we get more and more support. I remember turning up on a Sunday and there would only be our parents watching and now we are playing in front of 400 to 500 people. There’s little ones shouting your name and asking for autographs and I just hope we are setting good foundations for the younger generations of girls in Peterborough and the local areas and encouraging them to get into football.”
Since joining the first team, Connor has made 87 appearances for the club and is becoming known for scoring infamous headers:
“Last season I scored quite a few goals from corners but this season I just couldn’t find my feet. They were going over my head or I was missing them and it was getting so frustrating. However, last weekend me and Dan [Lawlor] were having a bit of a joke before the game and he said ‘you’re going to score today, I can feel it’. I said there was no way, but then I did and now I’ve got two in two games. I’m hoping to keep that run going and get back into that momentum of scoring again.”
Posh enter Sunday’s game against Leek Town Ladies on the back of five unbeaten victories in all competitions. Connor is looking to continue that winning streak:
“I think we’re in a really good place at the minute, football wise and socially. All the girls are getting on great; it feels like a really positive place to be in. We’ve got to make sure that we’re staying consistent and that we’re putting in the best performances that we can as individuals, but also as a team.
“We need to keep this momentum and I don’t think we can underestimate Leek Town at all. It’s one of those leagues where anything can happen. We’ve got a big run of games left ahead of us and as long as we keep the momentum that we’re in now, I think we’ll put ourselves in quite a comfortable position.
“I want that promotion. I said it at the beginning of the season when I signed my terms, I don’t want to come in second. We’ve got the County Cup Final against Northampton coming up so if we can get two pieces of silverware this year it would be the perfect end to the season”.