Player Profile: Olivia Thackray

How did you get into playing football? My Dad took me down to my local club in Leeds when I must have been about 5 or 6. I started playing with boys at first but then the manager set up a trial for me at the girl’s team and it all went from there. I played as striker and left wing predominately for Leeds but when I was scouted for England they played me at left back. And then when I came to Uni, I joined the team straight away and have always played centre midfield. At the moment I play just behind the strikers and have free reign in that area.
How would you describe the experience of playing for England? It was such a massive honour being chosen to represent the country; it’s difficult to be able to fully describe it. Pulling on that shirt is just an amazing feeling and nothing else can compare to that.
Who’s the most inspirational player you have played alongside? Sue Smith the experienced England International who I played alongside at Leeds United because she played in a similar position to me so has always been there to offer me advice as I was moving up the ranks. Then when I made the first team she played in front of me on the left wing, which gave me confidence.
What do you put UMWFC 1st XI teams success this season down to? All the girls came back with an excellent attitude in September and at pre-season we all bonded really well which has helped us throughout the season. Also a whole new management took over this year for the 1st and 2nd teams, adding something different to the set-up and we have about six freshers who’ve come into the mix and done really well.
How do you motivate the players before a game? I speak to everyone as a group and then I’ll talk to players individually and give them any advice and make sure that they have a positive feeling going into the game. And then the team talk is opened up to anyone who feels they want to say anything, so everyone gets a say, which is very important.
What’s the rivalry like between you and MMU Cheshire? Very intense! We played them the other week and there was a lot of chat going back and forth on the pitch especially between me and their captain who are always bantering each other. But then after the game both teams joke around so on the pitch it is a serious rivalry but off it we’re friends so it’s not that bad. We’ll see if I’m saying this the next time we play though as at the moment we are on equal points at the top of the league so it’ll be a massive game for both the clubs. I have faith in the team though and know we are good enough to beat them and win the league, fingers crossed.
Favourite UMWFC fancy dress? Ha, well we all like a good fancy dress at UMWFC and celebrate every week at the A.U social but my personal favourite has got to be when the 1st team went as ‘fake tan barmy army!!’ this year. Absolutely caked in fake tan, massive back comb, eyelashes, whole works- right up my street!