West Ham United Women vs Aston Villa Women

28.09.25
2.30PM £3
MATT BEARD
1978-2025
SUNDAY 5 OCTOBER 2025
11.55AM, £3

WHEN YOUR TEAM GOES
2 GOALS AHEAD, WE PAY OUT!
18+. Applies to bets placed on match betting ahead of kick off. Get paid out as a winner if your team goes 2 goals
ahead even if they win, lose or draw. 90 mins only. Applies to Singles & Multiples. Max €/£50k on losing selection.
Account & payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

WELCOME
3
4
8
INSIDE
WEST HAM UNITED v ASTON VILLA
BARCLAYS WOMEN'S SUPER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 5 OCTOBER 2025, 11.55AM
CHIGWELL CONSTRUCTION STADIUM
6
18
EMERGENCY &
SAFETY PROCEDURES
The following acts are offences
under the Football Offences Act
1991, as amended: the throwing
of any objects within the stadium
without lawful authority or
excuse; the chanting of racist,
anti-Semitic, Islamophobic or
homophobic nature; the entry onto
the playing area or any adjacent
area to which spectators are not
generally admitted without lawful
authority or excuse.
Please respect your fellow
spectators by refraining from
persistent standing in seated
areas. Please note that smoking
is not permitted anywhere within
Chigwell Construction Stadium
and this includes the use of
electronic cigarettes.
In the event of an emergency,
you will hear a message over the
public address system – listen to
the message carefully and follow
the instructions of stadium staff.
Evacuation of the stadium is a last
resort and we may ask you to move
from your immediate area initially.
Please remain vigilant at all times
and report anything you consider
suspicious to a member of
stadium staff.
The use of threatening behaviour,
foul or abusive language is strictly
forbidden and will result in arrest
and/or ejection from the stadium.
West Ham United and Dagenham
& Redbridge may impose a ban
as a result.
To ensure our young Hammers and
visitors have a safe and enjoyable
experience, please ensure children
are supervised at all times.
Lost children should be reported to
the nearest steward.
OFFICIAL PROGRAMME
Editor: Jonny Chick
Contributors: George Benson,
Fraser Day, Emily Defroand,
Ami Ford, Jimmy Griffiths,
Gemma Purser, Rob Pritchard,
Leo Tyrie, Peter White
The opinions of contributors do
not necessarily represent the views
of West Ham United FC.
Produced
by:
Printed by: S&G Group
30
WWW.WHUFC.COM
34

MANAGER'S NOTES
5
REHANNE
SKINNER
Good morning and a warm welcome back to Chigwell Construction Stadium
for today’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against Aston Villa...
I’d like to welcome Natalia
Arroyo, her staff and
players to east London for
today’s game.
October is Breast Cancer
Awareness Month and as a
Club, we are proud to show our
support for such an important
cause at today’s game. I am
also joining forces with the LMA
and other LMA members this
weekend to show my support for
another incredibly worthwhile
cause, Prostate Cancer UK. It is
a reminder of the strength and
resilience shown by so many
people and their families, and
both the Club and I want to do
our part in raising awareness and
standing alongside everyone
who has been affected.
Looking back on our last
match against Chelsea, we were
disappointed with the result,
but I was really proud of the
way the players responded after
we went down to ten. During
what was a very difficult period
in the first half, we showed grit,
resilience and determination to
stay in the contest, and I thought
the second-half performance
reflected that. We created some
good opportunities even in those
circumstances.
What we’re striving for now is
consistency across the whole 90
minutes. We know we’re capable
of producing performances
with intensity, organisation
and quality. We’ve shown it in
spells so far this season, but the
challenge is to do it from the
first whistle to the last. That’s
something we’ve spoken about
as a group and we’re working
hard to achieve.
Today gives us an opportunity
to go again in the league, and to
put in a complete performance
that can earn us some important
points. We know Aston Villa
will provide a tough test, but
it’s another match that we’re
looking forward to.
We’ve got another busy week
ahead with three games in quick
succession, and that’s where
our togetherness and collective
strength will be so important.
Finally, I want to thank you,
our supporters, for the energy
and passion you continue to
bring both here at home and on
the road. Your support makes a
huge difference to the players to
feel that backing, particularly in
those moments when we need
to dig deep.
So please get behind the team
again this afternoon – bring the
noise, drive us forward and help
us in another important fixture.
Rehanne
COME ON YOU IRONS!
“TODAY GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO
GO AGAIN IN THE LEAGUE, AND TO PUT
IN A COMPLETE PERFORMANCE THAT CAN
EARN US SOME IMPORTANT POINTS”
WWW.WHUFC.COM

CAPTAIN'S NOTES
7
KATRINA
GORRY
Good morning and welcome back to Chigwell Construction Stadium...
As a squad, we’re really
proud to be supporting
Breast Cancer Awareness
Month. It’s an important
cause that touches so many
lives, and we’re honoured to
play our part in helping to
raise awareness and show our
support.
We’re looking forward to
getting back out there today and
putting in a strong performance
against Aston Villa. It’s been
a tough run of fixtures for us
to start the season, but we’ve
learned a lot as a group.
Last weekend’s match against
Chelsea was obviously a difficult
WWW.WHUFC.COM
one to take, but there were still
plenty of positives. We created
some good chances early on
and if we’d taken them, it could
have been a very different
game. To concede three goals
in a short space of time was
frustrating, but the way the team
defended in the second half,
especially after going down to
ten players, was something I was
really proud of.
I think it would have been
easy for heads to drop, but
instead we stood tall, dug in, and
showed the fight and character
that we want to be known
for. That resilience is exactly
“I WANT TO THANK OUR SUPPORTERS.
YOUR ENERGY AND PASSION DRIVE US
ON, ESPECIALLY AT HOME. WE’LL NEED
YOU AGAIN TODAY TO KEEP PUSHING
US, TO BE LOUD AND TO HELP US
GET OVER THE LINE. STICK WITH US
AND BRING THAT NOISE TODAY!”
what we’ll need every single
week. If we defend like that
over 90 minutes and take the
opportunities when they come,
we’ll give ourselves a strong
chance of getting the three
points today.
We know Aston Villa are a
tough opponent, but this is a
game we believe we can win.
The togetherness in this group is
really strong – we stick together
through the tough moments
and we have so much belief in
each other. That spirit is what
will carry us forward and I know
when the results start to turn,
they’ll turn quickly for us.
Finally, I want to thank our
supporters. Your energy and
passion drive us on, especially
at home. We’ll need you again
today to keep pushing us, to be
loud and to help us get over the
line. Stick with us and bring that
noise today!
Mini
COME ON YOU IRONS!

TOUCH YOUR BREASTS
LOOK FOR CHANGES
CHECK ANY CHANGES WITH YOUR GP
No matter what size or
shape your breasts are,
check them regularly.
Check all parts of
your breasts, your
armpits and up to
your collarbone
(upper chest) for
changes.
Signs and
symptoms may
appear differently
on various skin
tones
A lump or swelling
in the breast, upper
chest or armpit
A change to the skin,
such as puckering or
dimpling
A change in the
colour of the breast
– the breast may
look darker, red
or inflamed
A nipple change,
for example it has
become pulled
in (inverted)
Rash or crusting
around the nipple
Unusual liquid
(discharge) from
either nipple
Changes in size or
shape of the breast
On its own pain
in your breasts is
not usually a sign
of cancer. But look
out for pain in your
breast or armpit
that’s there all or
almost all the time.
These illustrations are meant as a guide. Check anything that looks or feels different for you with a GP.
Watch our Touch Look Check
breast awareness video
breastcancernow.org/getchecking
TM
Breast Cancer Now is a company limited by guarantee registered in England (9347608) and a charity registered in England and Wales (1160558),
Scotland (SC045584) and Isle of Man (1200). Registered Office: 6th Floor, The White Chapel Building, 10 Whitechapel High Street, London, England, E1 8QS.

9
TM
BREAST CANCER
AWARENESS MONTH
Five years ago, lifelong West
Ham United supporter
Siobhan McKeon was
surprised by a visit from our
former women’s team captain
Gilly Flaherty, who delivered a
Breast Cancer Now pink shirt,
signed by former men’s striker
Michail Antonio.
Siobhan was diagnosed with
stage four breast cancer in April
2016 and it has since spread to
her brain. Sadly, she will never
be cured of her condition.
Having received
chemotherapy for the last
nine-and-a-half years, Siobhan
is taking every day in her stride,
fundraising for Breast Cancer
Research Aid along the way.
While she continues with
her personal battle, a constant
in her life is West Ham United.
Ninety minutes when her
thoughts disappear and
nothing apart from what those
in Claret and Blue are doing
matters. Her love for the Club
is unbreakable, so much so
she has previously postponed
treatments to follow the Irons
away from home.
WWW.WHUFC.COM
She has been advised not to
travel by plane because cancer
in the brain makes her more
prone to seizures, but she was
never going to miss the UEFA
Europa Conference League
final in 2023. Jarrod Bowen’s
late heroics ensured her 14-
hour car journey to Prague was
worth every second.
Breast Cancer Awareness
Month raises awareness of the
disease and its effects every
October, and we heard from
Siobhan not long after she was
part of the travelling faithful
at Hill Dickinson Stadium on
Monday night...
→

10 BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
“It’s hard to believe it’s been
five years since former West
Ham captain Gilly Flaherty
surprised me at home with a
signed Michail Antonio shirt!
It had special significance to
me, as my son was escorted
onto the pitch by Antonio a
few years previously, when he
was fortunate enough to be
mascot at one of the games.
“The publicity and social
media interest in my story
consequently boosted a
sponsored swim I did, with
fans donating from Estonia
and a total stranger generously
gifting £100 just because of
our mutual passion for the
Hammers! I managed to raise
a whopping £3,642 in total and
since then, my daughter has
also run the London Marathon
and raised an extra £2,250 for
Cancer Research.
“Unfortunately, my breast
cancer travelled to my brain,
which resulted in numerous
side effects. This makes
travelling to West Ham games
much more difficult. However,
I don’t let that stop me. I am
very stubborn! It gives me
something to look forward to,
something to aim for and more
importantly, 90 minutes when
I don’t need to think about
cancer or worrying thoughts.
It’s pure escapism and I’m sure
a lot of people can relate to it.
“My oncologist
recommended that I don’t fly,
as I am more prone to seizures
with breast cancer metastasis
in my brain. Therefore, I had to
travel 14 hours by car to Prague
in 2023 for the Conference
League final! And it was all
totally worth it. Where there’s a
will, there’s a way!
“I have often travelled straight
to Stratford on the train from
the hospital, even postponing
treatments for certain away
games. I’m sure the staff at the
hospital must think I’m bonkers
but you need to make the most
of every single day.
“I took my son to his first
West Ham match on his fifth
birthday – a 1-0 win against
Aston Villa in August 2012.
Kevin Nolan was the goalscorer.
That’s where the love affair
started. It was something we
enjoyed doing together. As a
single parent, I couldn’t afford
holidays, but going to Upton
Park was our treat.
“Soon after I attended
Mark Noble’s testimonial in
2016, I got my de novo (first)
diagnosis of secondary breast
WWW.WHUFC.COM

11
cancer. The very last game at
Upton Park was the day I cut
my beautiful long hair into a
short bob in preparation.
“Mark Noble has always been
my favourite player. His loyalty
and dedication are the most
appealing characteristics. I said
on Twitter/X, when I’d had my
100th chemotherapy in 2022,
I felt like I should have received
a card from the Queen, but I’d
have much preferred a cuddle
from Mark Noble! But some
time later, I queued up outside
Newham Bookshop for his
book signing and I met him!
He was everything I hoped
he would be. Charming,
charismatic, funny. He made
my day. I was skipping out of
the shop. Next year will be my
ten-year anniversary of living
with cancer. I’m hoping I get
another cuddle!
“I cannot speak on behalf of
everyone in the breast cancer
community, as we are all very
different and unique individuals.
I can only relay my own
personal thoughts and feelings.
Breast Cancer Awareness
Month is obviously very
important for raising the profile
WWW.WHUFC.COM
of the disease and hopefully, as
a result, saving lives. However,
it can also be extremely
emotional and overwhelming
for those currently going
through treatment.
“For me, a greater emphasis
needs to be highlighted
between the differences of
primary breast cancer and
secondary breast cancer – this
is where breast cancer has
moved from the primary site
to other areas of the body,
which creates totally different
symptoms. Secondary breast
cancer is a hidden voice. Most
people don’t know anything
about it. It’s really worrying.
“As a mother, all that
consumes my thoughts are
concerns for my children. They
have been my driving force
to keep going. My biggest
motivation. I have to lead by
example and show them to
never give up, even when
things get tough.
“Currently, I have received
162 cycles of chemotherapy
over the last nine-and-ahalf
years. It would be more
but my treatments were
hindered during the COVID-19
pandemic. On average,
people’s life expectancy for
secondary breast cancer
is between three-to-five
years, so I have definitely
exceeded the odds. However,
I want to give hope and
encouragement to anyone
with a secondary diagnosis.
“You may never be cured,
but you can certainly live with
the disease if it’s controlled and
managed correctly. New drugs
and innovations are developing
all the time. You have to ignore
the negativity and embrace
the positivity.
“Hopefully there will be
special memories made at
today’s match against Aston
Villa, just like there was for me
and my kids back in 2012. I just
want to give Emily Taylor-
Brown a special mention,
as she used to play football
with my son many years ago.
I always knew she would make
it big! I’m proud of you!
“Come On You Irons!”
Siobhan helps to host ‘Tea and
Chat’ – a group based at the
Future Dreams House in Kings
Cross. They host a range of
activities and provide plenty
of support for anyone going
through a cancer diagnosis.
The group is next in line
to win funding from Tesco
via their blue tokens in-store
voting scheme. You can help
support Tea and Chat at a Tesco
Express store in Islington.

12 FOR THE FANS
SUPPORTER SERVICES
The latest from West Ham United’s dedicated Supporter Services team...
Welcome to Chigwell
Construction Stadium for
today's Barclays Women’s
Super League game against
Aston Villa! Whether you’re a
dedicated Season Ticket Holder
or joining us for your first West
Ham United women’s team
game, our Supporter Services
team is here to help.
ABOUT US
Our dedicated team of nine
full-time staff is here to assist
you Monday to Friday, ready
to address your feedback and
provide support whenever
needed. On matchdays, you’ll
find our Supporter Liaison Officer
(SLO) team members available
at two information points or
stationed near every turnstile in
the stadium.
For additional help, connect
with us on X at @WestHamHelp
or use the contact form at
whufc.com/help. You can also
visit our Supporter Information
Help Centre at whufc.com/help
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
TO BE A WOMEN’S TEAM
MASCOT NOW!
Give your child an unforgettable
experience as a West Ham United
women’s team mascot!
WE ARE WEST HAM.
UNITED.
West Ham United operates a zero-tolerance policy
towards abuse or anti-social behaviour in any form. We are
committed to providing a safe, welcoming environment for
all supporters.
If you witness or experience any concerning behaviour on
matchday, please speak to the nearest steward, SLO or text
your message to 07701 401966 to use our dedicated text
reporting service. This is a text-only service and does not
require a country code or prefix.
All messages are treated with strict confidence and by
reporting incidents in real-time, our teams are better able
to monitor the situation and take immediate action where
necessary.
Treat your Junior Hammer
to a day they’ll cherish forever,
including the chance to meet
the players and walk onto the
pitch in front of fellow supporters
before kick-off.
To join the waiting list for this
incredible opportunity to lead
out their beloved Hammers,
email our Supporter Services
team at supporterservices@
westhamunited.co.uk.
SUPPORTER SERVICES
CHANNELS
West Ham Fan Information –
WhatsApp
The Supporter Services WhatsApp
Channel has been enhanced
to provide essential matchday
information for West Ham United
women’s team fixtures. Whether
you’re attending the match or
supporting from afar, this channel
will keep you updated with
everything you need to know.
SCAN HERE
SUBSCRIBE NOW
BY SCANNING
THE QR CODE
HERE TO STAY
CONNECTED
@WestHamHelp
We use @WestHamHelp on
X to address all aspects of
supporter service, experience
WWW.WHUFC.COM

13
POST-MATCH FAN ENGAGEMENT
West Ham United women’s team would like to remind
supporters of the change to post-match fan engagement
at Chigwell Construction Stadium for the 2025/26 season.
The Club have launched a new ballot system to help
manage and control the post-match signing process at
home matches.
This new process will create structured opportunities for
supporters to meet players after every WSL fixture*, while
prioritising player welfare and the efficiency of our matchday operations. Supporters attending our
home fixture against Leicester City can register for the ballot by scanning the QR code below!
To ensure we provide a safe, fair and enjoyable experience for all, the Club will no longer be
facilitating informal autograph and photograph sessions after home fixtures.
Our players deeply value the connection they share with our fans and we remain committed to
creating meaningful interaction in a safe and controlled environment. We thank the Claret and Blue
Army for their continued support and understanding.
Supporters under the age of 16 must get a parent or guardian to complete the form on their behalf.
*Subject to fixture timings and scheduling requirements.
SCAN HERE
REGISTER
HERE FOR
THE SIGNING
SESSION
BALLOT
and engagement. We’re here to
answer your queries and provide
regular updates on the things
that matter most. If you have a
question, please reach out! X is
monitored from 9am to 5pm,
Monday to Friday, and from
two hours before kick-off on
matchdays.
Hammers Help
Hammers Help is your one-stop
resource for all things West Ham
United! Need information on
ticketing, accessibility or Club
services? Visit whufc.com/help
to explore the FAQs Centre! The
site has been created to provide
supporters with all the answers
they need. FAQs are updated
frequently and cover everything
from matchday information to
Club policies. If you are unable
to find the answer you need,
please submit a question via our
contact form.
Hammers Hub
Stay up to date with our newlyupdated
Hammers Hub page
for everything related to your
matchday experience! Our
dedicated page offers a wealth
of information to enhance
WWW.WHUFC.COM
your experience before, during
and after you visit Chigwell
Construction Stadium. Head to
whufc.com/hammershub to
explore all the features Hammers
Hub has to offer.
Fans Section on whufc.com
Dive into the Fans Section on our
official website to make the most
of your matchday experience
and stay connected with all
things West Ham United. Here,
you’ll find essential information,
exciting updates and exclusive
content tailored just for you.
Discover the latest information
by visiting whufc.com/fans.
MATCHDAY
Matchday Guide
Check out our West Ham
United women’s team matchday
guide, your ultimate resource
for making the most of your
matchday experience! Packed
with essential information, it
covers everything from travel tips
and stadium facilities to food and
drink options. Whether you’re
a first-time visitor or a loyal
supporter, this guide has all you
need for an unforgettable day
cheering on the Hammers!
SCAN HERE
SCAN THE QR
CODE HERE TO
ACCESS ALL
THE DETAILS
First Time Visitor Certificates
Is this your first time attending
a West Ham United match at
Chigwell Construction Stadium?
We have a First Time Certificate
for the 2025/26 season that
we’d love to send you! To
receive your certificate, simply
email us at supporterservices@
westhamunited.co.uk with
your full name, address, and
mention the Aston Villa match.
Alternatively, you can pick one
up in person by speaking to
one of our dedicated SLO team
members around the stadium.
Junior Hammer
Safeguarding Wristbands
Our SLO team will continue
to distribute Junior Hammer
wristbands to families attending
all women’s team fixtures. These
wristbands feature this season’s
branding and include space on
the reverse for important details,

14 FOR THE FANS
such as your client reference
number, seat details and an
emergency contact number.
This ensures we can quickly
reunite you with your child if you
become separated.
If you need to report a
concern after the match, please
email us at safeguarding@
westhamunited.co.uk.
Hammer Collectables
We’re delighted to bring back a
fan-favourite collectable for our
supporters, Hammer Collectables
return for the 2025/26 season!
Visit one of our SLOs to start your
collection for this campaign.
For today’s WSL fixture against
Aston Villa, you can pick up
Amber Tysiak and Manuela Paví.
If you missed picking up the
latest card, don’t worry, you may
still be able to collect the one you
missed at our next home fixture.
These will of course be subject to
availability.
You can collect your Hammer
Collectables by visiting any of
the Matchday SLOs around the
stadium.
What’s happening?
• First-time certificates available
for all supporters making
their first trip to Chigwell
Construction Stadium.
These are available from the
SLO team at the Supporter
Services information tent!
• Young visitor wristbands
will be handed out
by the SLO team!
• Hammer Collectables are
available for today’s fixture!
SLO Operation at West
Ham United women’s team
fixtures
Our dedicated Matchday SLO
team is present at Chigwell
Construction Stadium for every
match and is always ready to
assist supporters attending the
SAFEGUARDING AT WEST HAM UNITED
West Ham United Football Club is committed to ensuring that
all children and adults at risk involved in Club programmes
and activities enjoy a positive and respectful environment,
where they are actively protected from harmful experiences
regardless of age, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation,
disability, religion or belief, or ethnic background and expects
all staff to share that commitment. In line with our West Ham
United Safeguarding Policy, as the Matchday Safeguarding
& Events Team, we
aim to ensure every
child and adult at risk is
protected from harm. If
you have a safeguarding
concern, please contact
the Safeguarding Team
below: safeguarding@
westhamunited.co.uk
game. We have two information
points available: one is located
outside the front entrance of
the stadium and the other is at
the entrance of the SD Samuels
Stand. At these points, our
friendly SLOs will greet you,
offering matchday Hammer
Collectables, selling the Official
Matchday Programme and
chatting about all things West
Ham. If it’s your first visit, you
can also receive a First Time
Certificate to take home as a
keepsake.
With at least ten SLOs at every
women’s team home game,
our goal is to ensure you have a
positive matchday experience.
TODAY'S MASCOTS
We have two very special mascots
for today’s Barclays Women’s Super
League fixture against Aston Villa!
Let’s meet them!
NYLAH-BELLE JOSEPH
Age: 9
Favourite Player: Katrina Gorry
BAREERAH ADEEL
Age: 8
Favourite Player: Kinga Szemik
SCAN HERE
SCAN THE
QR CODE TO
VIEW WHU'S
SAFEGUARDING
POLICY
The team is equipped to gather
supporter feedback using
digital forms on tablets, provide
directions to help you find your
way around and address any
concerns you may have. Club
Mascots Hammerhead and
Bubbles will also attend every
game, offering fans a chance to
capture memorable photos with
friends and family.
If you need help or have
concerns during your visit, our
SLOs are easy to identify. They
wear distinctive two-tone blue
tabards with ‘Matchday Supporter
Liaison Officer’ printed on the
back, ensuring you can quickly
spot them.
WWW.WHUFC.COM

The ultimate leak-proof protection -
on and off the field.
Meet
TODAY'S MASCOTS!
TODAY'S MASCOTS
15
We have nine very special mascots for this afternoon’s Barclays
Women’s Super League fixture against Chelsea. Let’s meet them!
Thank you for your support this afternoon!
MEADOW SMITH
Age: 9
Favourite Player:
Katrina Gorry
BLAINE MOUNTFORD
Age: 8
Favourite Player:
Katrina Gorry
ELLA WALLACE
Age: 10
Favourite Player:
Eva Nyström
25% OFF
STELLA BARRASS
JAZMIN AHMED
OLIVIA BILBY
Age: 7
Favourite Player:
Katrina Gorry
Age: 12
Favourite Player:
Viviane Asseyi
Age: 10
Favourite Player:
Katrina Gorry
FOR HAMMERS FANS
CODE: HAMMERS25
SCAN TO SHOP
ELLIE BARCLAY
Age: 8
Favourite Player:
Amber Tysiak
WWW.WHUFC.COM
HONEY CROSS
Age: 12
Favourite Player:
Katrina Gorry
ISOBEL LARNER
Age: 11
Favourite Player:
Viviane Asseyi
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PLAYER INTERVIEW
19
ANNA
CSIKI
BORN: 14 NOVEMBER 1999 | SIGNED: 4 SEPTEMBER 2025
DEBUT: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION v WEST HAM UNITED, 21 SEPTEMBER 2025
A calm and composed figure, Anna Csiki pulls up a chair at
Chadwell Heath training ground to discuss her footballing journey
to date, alternative careers in handball and tennis, and how
much she wants to get the fans off their feet in east London...
WORDS: JONNY CHICK
WWW.WHUFC.COM

PLAYER INTERVIEW
21
Oppositions underestimated
Anna Csiki at a young
age. The only girl in
Mustang SE’s boys side
in her native Hungary, teams
would see her in the line-up and
relax, thinking they were in for
an easy game.
What they didn’t realise
was that, as well as having the
backing of her whole squad,
Csiki has never once doubted
herself. A prime example of her
self belief is that at ten years old,
she insisted on learning German
because her dream was to play
for her childhood club Bayern
Munich.
Doubts and sarcastic
comments from opponents
simply fuelled the fire inside Csiki,
who was soon the one having
the last laugh, training with
Hungarian giants Ferencváros at
just 12 years old – metaphorically
training with giants because of
WWW.WHUFC.COM
the club’s size, but also literally,
as she was playing alongside
30-year-olds at the time!
As well as having a dogged
mentality, Csiki has done a lot
of her talking on the pitch. She
made her first appearance for
Ferencváros at just 15 years old,
won pretty much everything she
could with the Budapest-based
outfit, and later earned her first
call-up to her national team.
Her ambition didn’t stop
once she made it professional,
though, as in the summer of
2020, targeting a new challenge,
she moved to BK Häcken FF
in Sweden. Alongside former
Hammers midfielder Marika
Bergman Lundin – or ‘Mara’, as
Csiki called her – the 25-yearold
thrived, playing in the
UEFA Women’s Champions
League before earning a move
to Tottenham Hotspur in the
summer of 2024.
The first Hungarian to play
in the Barclays Women’s Super
League, who won her country’s
first-ever Women’s Ballon d’Or in
January, Csiki is paving the way
for young girls in her homeland,
and has vowed to give her all,
every day, to make sure the
women’s game continues to
grow in Hungary.
Playing football for the love of
the game is all it’s ever been for
Csiki. She wants to excite fans
with every touch of the ball, and
create a catalogue of memorable
moments for the Claret and Blue
Army during her time in east
London.
I STARTED PLAYING FOOTBALL
AT THE AGE OF FIVE.
I started playing football with my
Dad in the garden, and then in
the living room when it was cold
outside. My Mum wasn’t really
happy about that! But that’s just

22 PLAYER INTERVIEW
what we did. I then joined my
first-ever team, Mustang SE, and
it was an all-boys team. I was
the only girl in the team, but to
be honest, I loved every single
minute of it. I was a special, little
girl playing with the boys.
Every single team we faced
would say, ‘There’s a girl on their
team, so they’re going to lose’.
After the game, almost every
single time they came to me and
said, ‘Well done’.
Hearing that was a big boost
of motivation for me. I knew the
boys had my back and when they
heard these comments, they
made sure they were tackling the
other team even more. From day
one, the boys never thought of
me as the only girl on the team.
I was just one of the players on
the team.
I HAD A BIG DECISION TO MAKE
AT 12 YEARS OLD.
At the same time as playing
football, I played handball, I was
riding horses because my Dad
is a horse riding coach, and
I played tennis at quite a high
level. I had to make a choice of
which sport I would focus on.
I had good opportunities to go
further in all three sports, but
I chose football because it’s
always been the love of my life,
even though handball is a lot
bigger in Hungary than football. It
was quite a hard decision but my
heart said, ‘Football is your sport’,
and I’m really happy I listened to
my heart!
MY DAD IS A BIG FERENCVÁROS
FAN, SO THE MOVE WAS
PROBABLY MORE OF A NO-
BRAINER FOR HIM THAN
FOR ME!
When a club like Ferencváros
calls you, you can’t really say
no. I had to change schools,
play against girls who were ten
years older than me, and that
“I WANT PEOPLE TO ENJOY WHAT THEY
SEE AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN
THEY COME TO SEE US, THEY HAVE FUN”
was a big change. Some of the
players were 30 and I was only
12! I have always been a cheeky,
left-footed player, but because
they were stronger than me,
sometimes I had no chance.
But those years at Ferencváros
made me the player I am
now. It’s where I won my first
Hungarian championship and
where I got called up to the
national team for the first time.
The way they took care of me
from minute one, I’m still really
grateful for them. Some of the
girls that I had my first training
session with at Ferencváros are
with the national team now, and
we always talk about it, and talk
about how long ago it was!
I THINK I’M A REALLY
AMBITIOUS PERSON.
Maybe it’s not a positive thing,
but I’m never satisfied with
myself and I always want to do
better, and learn more every
single day. That’s always been the
drive for me.
When I was ten years old,
I chose to learn German in
school because my dream was
always to play for Bayern Munich.
At the age of ten, I told everyone,
‘As soon as I’m finished with
school, I want to go and play
abroad’. I realised early on that
women’s football in Hungary
wasn’t as big as I wished it
would be, and I wanted to try
bigger things and maximise my
potential.
WWW.WHUFC.COM

23
That’s why I wanted to leave
Hungary, because I felt I got to
the point where I couldn’t really
learn more. I just felt it was time
for me to leave and face new
challenges.
PLAYING IN THE CHAMPIONS
LEAGUE IS SOMETHING I DON’T
THINK I WILL EVER REALISE
HAS HAPPENED TO ME.
It’s what everyone dreams about.
I’m really proud and happy
I had the chance to play in the
Champions League [with BK
Häcken].
The Champions League and
the national team I feel are the
two biggest stages in football.
Playing for the national team is
the biggest honour and every
time I’m called up, I’m so excited
to go home and play with my
friends that I played with at
Ferencváros, and grew up with.
EVERYTHING I DO ON A
DAILY BASIS IS NOT JUST FOR
MYSELF TO GET BETTER, BUT
FOR WOMEN’S FOOTBALL IN
HUNGARY IN GENERAL.
I make sure that when I go back
to the national team, I help them
as best as I can. Then in the
long term, if the national team
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is getting better, hopefully more
girls will play football and look
up to us.
I want to help football in
Hungary, I want people to
recognise football players more
and I want things to change.
How it is right now is not
good enough. I hope I can be
someone who helps women’s
football take steps [for change]
in Hungary.
MOVING TO WEST HAM
WAS A NO-BRAINER
BECAUSE IT’S A HUGE,
HUGE CLUB.
I’m really
happy I got
the chance
from
everyone
to be
here
and
help
the
team. I just
want to help the
team to have a
good season,
hopefully with
assists and
goals, and
help to provide
fans with football that they will
want to come and watch. That’s
the main thing, for me, about
football. I want people to enjoy
what they see and to make sure
that when they come to see us,
they have fun.
Against Arsenal, I could see in
our fans’ eyes how excited they
were for the game. Even though
it was a rainy, cold evening,
people were still keen to watch
us play.
If I’m being honest, it feels
like I’ve been here for ages.
The girls, the staff,
everyone is just
so lovely and
has been so
welcoming.
From minute
one I’ve
felt like
I’m part of
the group.
It’s really,
really nice.
Rehanne [Skinner] is a
really good leader. She
knows what she wants
and is really clear
with communication
as well, on and off
the pitch.

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26 MEMORY LANE
MEMORABLE
MEETING
SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER 2022, BARCLAYS WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE
Leat, Mayling, Patten (Harding 77),
Turner, Pacheco, Corsie ©, Dali,
Blindkilde, Lehmann, Daly, Hanson
Subs not used: Draper (GK),
Boye-Hlorkah, McLoughlin, Gregory,
Goodwin, Rabjohn, MacPhail, Mullett
1
Dali 75
Brynjarsdóttir
2
2, Hayashi 14
Arnold, Shimizu, Fisk, Cissoko, Smith,
Longhurst (Filis 85), Brynjarsdóttir
©, Hayashi (Snerle 58), Evans,
Kyvag (Atkinson 75), Asseyi
Subs not used: Hillyerd (GK),
Houssein, Flannery, Walker
REFEREE: CHERYL FOSTER ATTENDANCE: 1,753 VENUE: BESCOT STADIUM

27
SCAN HERE
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CODE HERE FOR
ALL THE MATCH
HIGHLIGHTS

We’re here for it all
From the grandstands to the grassroots,
Barclays has invested millions in
community sports since 2001.
Supporting the superstars and the
future stars.
Because there is no football without
grassroots football.
Search ‘Barclays Football’ to find out more.

30
MEMORY LANE
I
IRONS ICONS
− STACEY LITTLE −
THROUGHOUT 2025/26, WE’LL BE SPEAKING TO FORMER WEST HAM UNITED WOMEN’S
TEAM PLAYERS WHO MADE A HUGE IMPACT ON AND OFF THE PITCH DURING THEIR
TIME IN CLARET AND BLUE. TODAY, WE’RE TALKING TO STACEY LITTLE...
t’s the night before West Ham
United women’s team’s cup
encounter at Preston North
End in 2015. The Hammers
are in their hotel preparing for
the game and captain Stacey
Little is running up and down
the corridors. Why? Because
she was trying to prove to her
manager, Julian Dicks, that she
was able to run normally. Why?
Because in the week leading up
to the fixture, Little broke her
wrist, but insisted on playing
against Preston and got the
physio to remove her cast, to her
manager’s displeasure.
Did Little play? Of course she
did – all 90 minutes, tucking
and rolling every time she hit
the turf so she did no further
damage to her wrist. That
was the type of character the
defensive midfielder was. A
lifelong Hammer, who would do
anything for the Club she loves.
Brought into the West Ham
family by her Dad and Grandad,
Little, who grew up in Hatfield,
Hertfordshire, only knew football,
as she’d go and watch her father
play every Saturday and Sunday.
After playing at grassroots level,
she soon found herself a club,
QPR, before hearing about an
opportunity at Charlton Athletic
in 2007.
Little didn’t back herself as
much as she should have done,
struggling with confidence when
she was finding her feet in
football, so when she joined
the M25 on her journey from
Slough to south-east London
for her trial at Charlton, she
took the first exit back home.
She eventually attended
a trial at the Addicks
and their manager Paul
Mortimer signed her
there and then. Playing
for Charlton gave Little a
grounding as she played against
the likes of Arsenal, Doncaster
Rovers Belles, Liverpool, Everton
and Leeds United, and faced
players such as Kelly Smith, Alex
Scott, Jill Scott, Sue Smith, Fara
WIlliams, Karen Carney and
Rachel Yankey.
After spending three seasons
at Charlton, an opportunity
arose at her childhood club
and Little took the chance
with both hands, signing for
West Ham in the summer of
2010 after another successful
trial. Two years
after winning
Player of the
Season in

31
her first campaign at the Club,
she was appointed captain by
then manager Julia Setford
and led us to Essex FA County
Cup glory in 2014, scoring our
final goal in a 5-1 success over
Barking.
Little departed the Club in
October 2015 before later
hanging up her boots. But her
love for the game proved too
strong and she soon came out
of retirement, and currently
plays for East Thurrock, as
well as managing her boys’
grassroots team – and her
Hammers-supporting children
know their Mum captained the
club they love.
Here is her West Ham story.
Q: How did you get into
supporting West Ham and what
are your earliest memories of
playing football?
A: “I support West Ham
because of my Dad. I think it’s
quite rare these days because
kids seem to support different
clubs, but my children support
West Ham as well. My Nan
and Grandad grew up in east
London, near Grays, but I grew
up in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
I always used to go watch my
Dad play on a Saturday and
Sunday, so I was always around
football with him.
“When I was younger, there
weren’t any girls’ teams. At
school I played with the boys
and you didn’t get the ball,
you weren’t allowed to play in
their team, so I just played for a
local club, Hatfield Youth, and
played against people like Lianne
Sanderson and Natasha Dowie.
“Back then, when someone
asked you, ‘What do you want
to be when you’re older?’, you
couldn’t say you wanted to be a
footballer because it wasn’t
a thing. It wasn’t possible.
It’s so nice now
that young girls
can have that
dream now.”

32
MEMORY LANE
Q: After playing for QPR and
Charlton, you joined West Ham
United in 2010. When did you
first hear of our interest?
A: “It was through a trial,
everything was done by trials
back then. I saw it advertised
that West Ham were looking for
new players. I thought, ‘It’s the
team I love, I’m going to go for
it’. West Ham signed me there
and then, and that was it. I was a
West Ham player!
“It was such a surreal feeling.
My Dad was super proud and it
was a dream come true. It was
something really special.”
Q: And you hit the ground
running, winning Player of the
Season in your first campaign?
A: “When I went to West Ham,
it helped that I supported them.
I was always committed to
every team I played for, but
more so to West Ham. I would
“I WOULD LITERALLY RUN
THROUGH BRICK WALLS FOR
MY TEAMMATES. MY BIGGEST
FRUSTRATION IS THAT WE
NEVER GOT PROMOTED, AND
WE SHOULD HAVE DONE”
do the two-hour drive from
Slough to Chadwell Heath
training ground every Tuesday,
every Thursday. In rain or snow.
I was always fully committed,
fully dedicated.
“The biggest thing I remember
is that they fully trusted me
as a player. I was a defensive
midfielder and they made that
my position. That was my role.
“I would literally run through
brick walls for my teammates.
My biggest frustration is that
we never got promoted, and
we should have done. We were
a really good team with really
good players.”
Q: What was Julia Setford like
as a manager?
A: “I loved Wiggs! Sorry, Wiggs
is what we called her! I don’t
know why we called her that!
Julia put all her trust in me. I had
so much time for her. She made
me the player I was and had a big
impact on me.”
Q: And she appointed you
captain?
A: “When I first joined, Rosie
Sullivan was captain. She
got injured in a friendly and
I remember Julia said, ‘We want
you to be captain’. I thought,
‘Sorry, what?’. They knew how
much West Ham meant to
me, but I never expected to
be captain, I didn’t want to be
captain. I was just happy playing
for the badge, but I was so
grateful to them. They didn’t
want me to get wrapped up in
the captain role, they just said to
carry on playing my game.
“I took the role seriously.
You’re the voice that people
come to if they don’t feel they
can go straight to the manager.

33
And being a West Ham fan,
I knew about the rivalries, so
whenever we played Tottenham
or Millwall, I let the players
know that we had to beat them!
When you play for the badge, it
means a lot.
“Before we started playing the
likes of Tottenham, our biggest
competition was Colchester
United. Kate Longhurst used to
play for them, and we didn’t like
each other! We were both Essex
teams and there was just this
massive rivalry.”
Q: As captain, you led the
team to Essex FA County Cup
success with a 5-1 win against
Barking in the final – and you
got on the scoresheet!
A: “I was so emotional [that
day]. All my family were there
and when I scored the goal,
I ran straight to my Dad in
the crowd and hugged him.
I remember all I could think of
when I was running over to him
was ‘Oh no, I’m cramping, I’m
cramping!’.
“I got interviewed afterwards
and I remember saying that after
the season we’d had (struggling
in the league), it meant so much.
Our manager had left, our
physio stepped up as a coach. It
was a very emotional night and
it’s one I’ll never forget. The goal
wasn’t bad either!
“To play in a final for West
Ham, to score in it and then win
it, it’s definitely up there [as one
of my favourite moments of my
career].”
Q: Are there any other stories
that stand out from your time at
the Club?
A: “We were away at Preston
in the cup and the week before,
I broke my wrist against QPR.
I travelled with the team to
Preston and took my kit with
me, but my wrist was in a cast.
I told Julian [Dicks, the manager
at the time] that I was going to
cut it off and play. He told me
there was no way that I was
going to play…
“SIGNING FOR WEST HAM WAS A DREAM
COME TRUE. IT WAS SOMETHING
REALLY SPECIAL”
“Anyway, in the morning,
I got the physio to cut it
off and, rightly or wrongly,
I played. I wanted to play and
did stupid things to play! My
wrist still causes me grief to
this day! Julian said I was an
idiot for doing it. I remember
running up and down the hotel
corridor to prove I could run
with my wrist and during the
game I had to tuck and roll so
I didn’t land on it. And we lost
the game 1-0!”

34 OPPOSITION
Welcome
ASTON VILLA
W
hen Aston Villa won a corner in the 95th minute
at Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, they
looked like they were heading towards a 1-0
defeat after Frida Maanum’s tenth-minute opener.
But up stepped former West Ham defender Lucy Parker,
who stabbed the ball into the roof of the net to break
Arsenal hearts, and secure an important point on the road
for the Villans.
Despite the late heroics, Villa are still waiting to record
their first Barclays Women’s Super League win of the
season after a goalless draw at Brighton & Hove Albion on
the opening day was followed up by a 3-1 defeat at home
to Chelsea. Although, they have played one less game
than the majority of the WSL after their match at home
to Liverpool was postponed following the sad passing of
former Reds and West Ham boss Matt Beard.
There came a point during the 2024/25 season when
Villa were looking over their metaphorical shoulder at
the relegation trap door. But, during the run-in, Natalia
Arroyo’s side crafted a five-game winning run to propel
them to a sixth-place finish in the WSL.
Up until their late flurry of victories, the Villains had only
picked up two league wins all season, which both came
before the turn of the year. One win from their first nine
league outings meant the writing was on the wall for then
boss Robert de Pauw, who parted ways with the club in
December before Shaun Goater took interim charge, prior
to the arrival of Arroyo in January.
TRANSFER
INS & OUTS
Six players joined Aston Villa over the
summer, with England international
Ellie Roebuck headlining the arrivals
following her move from Spanish giants
Barcelona.
The 26-year-old spent only one
season at Barcelona, making two
appearances, whom she joined after
spending nine years at Manchester City.
Roebuck made 136 appearances across
all competitions for the Citizens – a
side she joined when she was just 15
years old.
Villa also completed the signing of Jill
Baijings (below) from Bayern Munich,
who was on loan at the club last term
and made 12 appearances in the WSL.
Meanwhile, defenders Oceane
Deslandes and Lynn Wilms signed from
Montpellier and Wolfsburg respectively,
midfielder Lucia Kendall
arrived from
Southampton
and forward
Maya Hijikata
joined from
Tokyo Verdy
Beleza.
WWW.WHUFC.COM

ONES TO WATCH...
35
Chasity
GRANT
DF
Versatile is the word to describe
Chasity Grant, who offers so
much defensively and going
forward for Aston Villa. The
24-year-old has played every
minute in the WSL so far this
term, registering one assist in
her side’s defeat to Chelsea
at Villa Park, and has clearly
embedded herself into the team
after her maiden campaign
in England’s top flight. Last
season, Grant played in 21 WSL
matches, scoring four goals and
registering two assists before she
jetted off to Switzerland with the
Netherlands for UEFA Women’s
Euro 2025. Deployed largely
as a forward, Grant featured
in every Group D fixture at the
tournament over the summer,
but the Netherlands were
knocked out at the group stage,
as eventual champions England
and France progressed.
Missy Bo
KEARNS
MD
Childhood Liverpool fan Missy
Bo Kearns joined the Reds at
the age of eight having played
for grassroots team Mossley
Hill alongside current Liverpool
men’s midfielder Curtis Jones.
Kearns made more than 100
appearances for the Reds,
becoming their youngest-ever
captain in November 2021 when
she wore the armband against
Blackburn Rovers in the Women’s
League Cup. The 24-year-old
departed Liverpool in summer
2024 for Villa and made 19
appearances across competitions
last season. Having played for
the Young Lionesses at U17, U18
and U19 level, Kearns made her
England debut in June in a UEFA
Women’s Nations League match
against Spain, and was later on
standby for Sarina Wiegman’s
squad at UEFA Women’s
Euro 2025.
Ebony
SALMON
FW
Ebony Salmon is in her third
season as an Aston Villa player
and got off the mark for the
campaign with a wonder goal
against Chelsea in her side’s first
home game of the new term.
Receiving a pass from Chasity
Grant on the right corner of the
penalty area, the No17 curled a
brilliant first-time finish beyond
Hannah Hampton and into the
top-left corner. That was her
12th goal for the club since she
rejoined in the summer of 2023,
having previously been on Villa’s
books in the 2017/18 season.
Salmon left Villa in the summer
of 2018 to join Manchester
United’s newly-formed side in
the WSL 2, and since played
for Sheffield United, Bristol
City, Racing Louisville and
Houston Dash.
THE MANAGER
Natalia
ARROYO
Natalia Arroyo was appointed Villa manager in January,
joining from Real Sociedad, whom she spent four seasons
with, helping them qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions
League after achieving a second-place finish in her second
campaign in charge.
The 39-year-old also led them to a place in the Copa
de la Reina final at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
Arroyo also spent five years as manager of Catalionia
between 2014 and 2019.
WWW.WHUFC.COM

Live every week on
Sky Sports, BBC, and YouTube.
WWW.WHUFC.COM

PLAYER FOCUS
37
HAMMERS
YEARBOOK
Shelina Zadorsky answers questions about her teammates...
Shelina Zadorsky
Q: Who is the best dressed?
A: “That’s hard actually! We’ve
got a lot of players with good
fashion sense in the squad and
a lot of different styles. I love
fashion, I love to play with
creativity and ideas. Amber Tysiak
has some good pieces, so I’ll
say her.”
Q: Who would you call in an
emergency?
A: “I’d probably call Vivi Asseyi,
but she probably wouldn’t pick
up because she’s on DND (Do
Not Disturb) quite a lot! So I’d
have to call her twice so she
would pick up.”
Q: Who is most likely to win the
lottery, but lose the ticket?
A: “I really don’t know, I think
most people would remember
to keep it!”
Q: Who would you let DJ your
birthday party?
A: “It would have to be either
Vivi or Katie O’Hanlon.”
Q: Who is the smartest?
A: “That’s hard because
everyone’s clever in their own
ways. Verena Hanshaw has her
own business, which is pretty
cool, so I’ll say her.”
Q: Who would be your karaoke
partner?
A: “My karaoke partner would
be Seraina Piubel – we’d have a
good time. We’d probably sing
an old-school song, maybe
some old-school Rihanna.
Q: Who would you
want to sit next to on a
long flight?
A: “I would want to sit
next to Amber or Vivi.”
Q: Who is always early
to training?
A: “I feel like Kinga
Szemik’s always on
time. I’m always on time,
it just depends whether I’m
getting a coffee on the way
or not!
Q: Who would be the best
comedian?
A: “There’s a few. Vivi and
Shekiera Martinez both really
make me laugh!”
Q: You have to choose one
player to take a penalty, and if
they score you win £10 million…
A: “It would have to be Vivi!”
WWW.WHUFC.COM

38 FOUNDATION
WEST HAM FOUNDATION
AND R;PPLE HOST CHARITY
TOURNAMENT AT THE FOUNDRY,
RAISING MONEY FOR SUICIDE
PREVENTION AND MENTAL HEALTH
PLAY FOR TOMORROW
The West Ham United
Foundation proudly teamed up
with R;pple Suicide Prevention
for their second annual fivea-side
football tournament,
delivered in partnership with
Shawbrook Bank and Hampshire
Trust Bank, held for the very first
time at the Foundation’s new
home, the Foundry.
The event brought together 20
teams and over 170 participants,
and communities.
raising more than £30,000 to
support the life-saving work of
both R;pple Suicide Prevention
and the Foundation, with Allica about mental health, raise
“I’ve had experiences in my life
Bank crowned winners of the awareness and provide vital funds when I’ve been really low. Talking
impacted men’s tournament, annually, while Field enough for two to organisations fill the London dedicated Stadium to someone ten is massive, times it puts over.
Fisher lifted the women’s cup. to prevention and support. things into perspective, but
Three other men’s teams also Former West Ham and England I understand that some people
won silverware with TSA Riley striker Carlton Cole, now an don’t have that strength, and
lifting the plate, Shawbrook Every 1 seat Ambassador represents for the someone Foundation, affected.
that’s where love and support
claiming the bowl and AWH was among those lending
become so important.
taking home the spoon.
his support.
“When I had my kids, even
As well as raising vital funds for “It’s just good to be here and when I wasn’t going through the
the two
Every
causes, the
conversation
tournament see
could
all these
be
guys
a
enjoying
lifeline - let’s
best
talk,
of times,
listen,
I knew
and
I had to be
was all about using football to football, and doing it for the there for them. Your life is always
encourage positive conversations right causes as well,” Cole said. worth it. In football, we talk about
support each other, because suicide is preventable.
resilience and masculinity, but
now empathy is becoming more
important. Days like today shine
a light on that, recognising the
Each life lost to suicide affects around 135 others - family, friends, colleagues,
With over 6,000 deaths a year in the UK, that’s more than 800,000 people
Home
Support
Foundation
Health
Visitors
signs when people are struggling
and showing care.”
For
Support
lifelong West Ham fan Alice
Hendy MBE, founder of R;pple
Suicide Prevention, the cause is
deeply personal. She set up the
charity in memory of her brother
Josh, who she tragically lost to
suicide in November 2020.
“After his death, I discovered
he had been looking at harmful
WWW.WHUFC.COM

material online which gave him
step-by-step instructions on how
to end his life,” she explained.
“There was nothing to intervene.
That’s why I created R;pple, a
browser extension that intercepts
harmful searches and instead
signposts users to muchneeded
support.”
Working in cybersecurity, she
used her IT knowhow to develop
a browser extension designed
to intercept any harmful internet
searches relating to self-harm
and suicide. Since launching,
R;pple has intercepted over
100,000 harmful searches
and the software is even used
by West Ham United, the
Foundation and some of the
participating organisations who
fielded teams at the tournament.
“In four-and-a-half years, 32
people have told us they are
still here today because R;pple
intervened at their moment of
crisis,” Alice revealed. “One of
WWW.WHUFC.COM
those individuals was actually
playing in today’s tournament,
which shows just how powerful
this technology can be.”
West Ham United Foundation
CEO, Joseph Lyons, who was
delighted to host the first football
tournament at The Foundry,
the Foundation’s new home,
emphasised how football can
act as a vehicle to spark difficult
conversations, while also
highlighting the preventative
mental health work carried out
by the Club’s official charity.
“Seeing the Foundry come to
life with a tournament like this
makes me incredibly proud,” said
Lyons. “The work R;pple does,
and the work our Foundation
staff do around mentoring
and detached youth work, are
slightly different but deeply
complementary.
“As a football club, we have
in our quick
a unique power, using sport to
engage, with coaches who are
also trained to spot the signs and
support young people. Events
like this wouldn’t happen without
partners like Shawbrook Bank
and HTB, who take their social
responsibilities seriously and help
us give back to the causes we
care about.”
As Lyons said, sport, and
football in particular, have a
unique power to bring people
together and spark conversations
that might otherwise feel difficult.
By placing football and mental
health side by side, tournament
participants were reminded that
mental health can be talked
about openly, as something we
can all support each other with.
One participant said: “Exercise
is one of the first things a
doctor recommends if you’re
Need to book a room?
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TheFoundryoffers flexible and modernroom hireoptions
with TV screens in all spaces.
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feeling low, and football is such
a great way to do that. What
struck me was talking to the
R;pple team and learning how
their technology works. I will
definitely do some research
into the coding behind it. It was
fascinating, and just chatting,
making friends, that’s what
makes the difference.”
Both the Foundation and
R;pple also extend a huge
thank you to its Silver and
Bronze sponsors TSA Riley,
Kuits Solicitors, Brickflow, Align
Property Finance, Finwell and
AWH, whose support all helped
make the event possible.
39

40
JUNIOR IRONS
Welcome to today’s matchday programme – this page is just for you! We’ve packed it
with puzzles, games, and challenges to keep you busy before kick-off, at half-time, or
on the journey home. Let’s cheer the team on loud and proud – Come On You Irons!
ANAGRAMMER
Can you unscramble the letters below to reveal
three players' names from West Ham's squad?
AN UNDO TOKEN
SEAR ONION
SKI KING MAKE
WHO AM I?
Can you work out which member of
West Ham's squad is obscured below?
TRAM ENVOYS
FOOTBALL JOURNEY
Which West Ham United women’s team player has had the career path below?
⊲
⊲
⊲ ⊲ ⊲
ROUEN MONTPELLIER MARSEILLE BORDEAUX BAYERN MUNICH WEST HAM UNITED
ANSWERS: Who Am I?: Riko Ueki; Anagrammer: Anouk Denton, Oona Siren, Kinga Szemik, Eva Nyström; Football Journey: Viviane Asseyi.
WWW.WHUFC.COM

FUN & GAMES
41
? ?
QUIz
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF WEST HAM UNITED
WOMEN'S TEAM BY HAVING A GO AT OUR QUIZ!
1. Which three players scored against Aston
Villa across both our meetings last season?
2. Name the current Aston Villa forward
who joined West Ham in 2020?
3. Which club did Natalia Arroyo manage
before joining Aston Villa in January?
4. Who scored our opening goal when we
faced Charlton Athletic in the Subway®
Women’s League Cup in September?
5. Continuing with our 5-1 win over the
Addicks, how many of our goals did
Halle Houssein assist at The Valley?
6. Former Aston Villa forward Alisha
Lehmann played for West Ham between
2018 and 2021. Who did she score her
first Hammers WSL goal against?
7. Whose shirt number do you get if you
add Yu Endo, Amber Tysiak and Viviane
Asseyi’s shirt numbers together?
8. Our last victory over Aston Villa came
in October 2022. Who was on the
scoresheet for the Hammers that day?
9. Which current West Ham player
was born in Żywiec?
10. Which former West Ham player
scored a last-minute equaliser for
Aston Villa at Arsenal last weekend?
ANSWERS: 11. Viviane Asseyi, Shekiera Martinez and Riko Ueki, 2. Rachel Daly, 3. Real Sociedad, 4. Ffion Morgan, 5. Two,
6. Everton, 7. Leila Wandeler’s, 8. Dagný Brynjarsdóttir and Honoka Hayashi, 9. Kinga Szemik, 10. Lucy Parker.
WWW.WHUFC.COM

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Registered office: 40 Lime Street, London, EC3M 7AW.

44 STATS
FIXTURES & RESULTS
2025/26
DATE OPPONENT H/A VENUE KO/ATT COMP F-A GOALSCORERS
SEPTEMBER
SUN 7 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR A BETWRIGHT STADIUM 1,735 WSL 0-1 –
FRI 12 ARSENAL H CHIGWELL CONSTRUCTION STADIUM 3,483 WSL 1-5 VAN DOMSELAAR OG
SUN 21 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION A BROADFIELD STADIUM 1,810 WSL 1-4 ASSEYI (PEN)
WED 24 CHARLTON ATHLETIC A THE VALLEY TBC WLC 5-1 MORGAN, PAVÍ, WANDELER, BRASERO, MARTINEZ
SUN 28 CHELSEA H CHIGWELL CONSTRUCTION STADIUM 2,423 WSL 0-4 –
OCTOBER
SUN 5 ASTON VILLA H CHIGWELL CONSTRUCTION STADIUM 11.55AM WSL
WED 8 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION H CHIGWELL CONSTRUCTION STADIUM 7PM WLC
SUN 12 LONDON CITY LIONESSES A THE COPPERJAX COMMUNITY STADIUM 12NOON WSL
NOVEMBER
SAT 1 MANCHESTER CITY A JOIE STADIUM 12NOON WSL
SUN 9 LEICESTER CITY H CHIGWELL CONSTRUCTION STADIUM 12NOON WSL
WED 12 SOUTHAMPTON H CHIGWELL CONSTRUCTION STADIUM 7PM WLC
SUN 16 EVERTON H CHIGWELL CONSTRUCTION STADIUM 12NOON WSL
SUN 23 PORTSMOUTH A WESTLEIGH 2PM WLC
DECEMBER
SAT 6 MANCHESTER UNITED A LEIGH SPORTS VILLAGE 12.30PM WSL
SAT 13 LIVERPOOL H CHIGWELL CONSTRUCTION STADIUM 12NOON WSL
JANUARY
SUN 11 CHELSEA A KINGSMEADOW 2PM WSL
SUN 25 LEICESTER CITY A KING POWER STADIUM 3PM WSL
FEBRUARY
SUN 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR H CHIGWELL CONSTRUCTION STADIUM 12NOON WSL
SUN 8 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION H CHIGWELL CONSTRUCTION STADIUM 12NOON WSL
SUN 15 EVERTON A GOODISON PARK 2PM WSL
MARCH
SUN 15 MANCHESTER UNITED H CHIGWELL CONSTRUCTION STADIUM 12NOON WSL
SAT 21 ARSENAL A EMIRATES STADIUM 12.30PM WSL
SUN 29 LONDON CITY LIONESSES H CHIGWELL CONSTRUCTION STADIUM 12NOON WSL
APRIL
SUN 26 LIVERPOOL A ST HELENS STADIUM 2PM WSL
MAY
SUN 3 ASTON VILLA A VILLA PARK 2PM WSL
SUN 17 MANCHESTER CITY H CHIGWELL CONSTRUCTION STADIUM 12NOON WSL
WSL – Barclays Women’s Super League WFAC – The Adobe Women's FA Cup WLC – Subway Women’s League Cup
* All fixture times and dates subject to change
WWW.WHUFC.COM

45
+ OUT ON LOAN WSL WLC WFAC TOTAL
NO. POS. PLAYER APPS GOALS APPS GOALS APPS GOALS APPS GOALS
1 GK KINGA SZEMIK 3 - - - - - 3 -
2 D YU ENDO - (2) - 1 - - - 1 (2) -
4 M OONA SIREN 4 - - (1) - - - 4 (1) -
5 D AMBER TYSIAK 2 - 1 - - - 3 -
7 D INÈS BELLOUMOU 1 (2) - 1 - - - 2 (2) -
9 F RIKO UEKI 4 - - - - - 3 -
11 M MANUELA PAVÍ 0 (3) - - (4) 1 - - - (4) 1
13 D EVA NYSTRÖM 4 - - - - - 4 -
14 D SHELINA ZADORSKY 4 - - - - - 4 -
15 M ANNA CSIKI 1 - 1 - - - 2 -
16 M JESS ZIU + - - - - - - - -
17 M CAMILA SÁEZ+ - - - - - - - -
18 D ANOUK DENTON 4 - - - - - 4 -
19 M SHEKEIRA MARTINEZ 3 (1) - - (1) 1 - - 3 (2) 1
20 F VIVIANE ASSEYI 4 1 - - - - 4 1
21 M SARAH BRASERO - (1) - 1 1 - - 1 (1) 1
22 M KATRINA GORRY 4 - - - - - 4 -
23 F FFION MORGAN 1 (2) - 1 1 - - 2 (2) 1
24 D JESSIE STAPLETON+ - - - - - - - -
25 GK MEGAN WALSH 1 (1) - 1 - - - 2 (1) -
27 F LEILA WANDELER - (2) - 1 1 - - 1 (2) 1
29 D VERENA HANSHAW 3 - - (1) - - - 3 -
30 GK KATIE O'HANLON - - - - - - - -
33 M HALLE HOUSSEIN - - 1 - - - - -
36 M SORAYA WALSH + - - - - - - - -
41 M KEIRA FLANNERY+ - - - - - - - -
42 F EMILY TAYLOR-BROWN - - - (1) - - - - -
43 M SELIN CEMAL - - 1 - - - - -
44 D RUBY WARWICK+ - - - - - - - -
45 G REBEKAH DOWSETT+ - - - - - - - -
77 F SERAINA PIUBEL 1 (2) - 1 - - - 2 (2) -
+Out on loan *No longer with West Ham United
SQUAD ROLL CALL
BARCLAYS WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE
POS CLUB P W D L F A GD PTS FORM
1 CHELSEA 4 4 0 0 10 2 +8 12 ????
2 MANCHESTER UNITED 4 3 1 0 11 1 +10 10 ????
3 MANCHESTER CITY 4 3 0 1 12 5 +7 9 ????
4 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4 3 0 1 6 6 0 9 ????
5 ARSENAL 4 2 2 0 10 3 +7 8 ????
6 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 4 2 1 1 6 3 +3 7 ????
7 EVERTON 4 1 0 3 5 6 -1 3 ????
8 LEICESTER CITY 4 1 0 3 2 7 -5 3 ????
9 LONDON CITY LIONESSES 4 1 0 3 5 14 -9 3 ????
10 ASTON VILLA 3 0 2 1 2 4 -2 2 ???
11 LIVERPOOL 3 0 0 3 1 7 -6 0 ???
12 WEST HAM UNITED 4 0 0 4 2 14 -12 0 ????
WWW.WHUFC.COM

WE’RE
BACKING
THE
HAMMERS
WHATEVER
THE
ODDS
Official Principal Partner of
West Ham United Football Club

MANAGER: REHANNE SKINNER
Claret and Blue shirts
Claret and Blue shorts
White socks
MANAGER: NATALIA ARROYO
Black shirts
Black shorts
Black socks
(GK) KINGA SZEMIK
YU ENDO
OONA SIREN
AMBER TYSIAK
INÈS BELLOUMOU
RIKO UEKI
MANUELA PAVÍ
EVA NYSTRÖM
SHELINA ZADORSKY
ANNA CSIKI
ANOUK DENTON
SHEKEIRA MARTINEZ
VIVIANE ASSEYI
SARAH BRASERO
© KATRINA GORRY
FFION MORGAN
(GK) MEGAN WALSH
LEILA WANDELER
VERENA HANSHAW
(GK) KATIE O'HANLON
HALLE HOUSSEIN
EMILY TAYLOR-BROWN
SELIN CEMAL
SERAINA PIUBEL
1
2
4
5
7
9
11
13
14
15
18
19
20
21
22
23
25
27
29
30
33
42
43
77
MATCH OFFICIALS
GRACE LOWE
GEORGIA BALL
DANIEL SYKES
4 TH
PHOEBE CROSS
1 SABRINA D'ANGELO (GK)
2 SARAH MAYLING
3 PAULA TOMÁS
4 ANNA PATTEN
5 LUCY STANIFORTH
7 MISSY BO KEARNS
8 JILL BAIJINGS
9 RACHEL DALY ©
10 GABI NUNES
13 MAYA HIJIKATA
14 LYNN WILMS
15 LUCY PARKER
16 NOELLE MARITZ
17 EBONY SALMON
18 GEORGIA MULLETT
20 KIRSTY HANSON
21 LUCIA KENDALL
22 LYDIA SALLAWAY
23 CHASITY GRANT
24 OCÉANE DESLANDES
25 MIRI TAYLOR
26 ELLIE ROEBUCK (GK)
38 RACHEL MALTBY
40 SOFFIA KELLY (GK)
NEXT HOME GAME: v BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION, SUBWAY® WOMEN'S LEAGUE CUP, WEDNESDAY 8 OCTOBER 2025, 7.00PM BST