Sporty Erin hits footballing heights south of the border
A GIRL with Lochgilphead connections is making a name for herself in women’s senior football in England.
Erin MacLennan, grandaughter of the late Murdo MacLennan and daughter of Lorne and Lorna MacLennan, formerly of Lochgilphead, is currently playing for Crystal Palace ladies development team after impressing during trials in 2016.
She has recently picked up a number of ‘player of the match’ awards and has high hopes of promotion to the first team ahead of the new season.
Erin, aged 16, from Hythe in Kent, started playing football at the age of six and has continued to play and develop through the years. She has played at county level, and last season combined playing for Kent Football United in the U16 Capital League on a Saturday with turning out for her dad’s team, Folkestone Invicta U18, on a Sunday.
Last season Invicta won the league by a clear margin, scoring a total of 96 goals with only 12 conceded. The only game the team lost was in the Kent Ladies U18 cup final.
Erin impressed with Kent, catching the eye of Crystal Palace Ladies where she has continued to shine. After trials, she was offered a place in their ladies development squad, bypassing U18 and going straight in to senior football. She made her competitive debut for Palace in a 3-3 draw with Queens Park Rangers and was voted player of the match, holding her own against a very experienced opposition.
Erin recently completed her GCSE exams and is combining her sixth form studies with her football and hopes to embark on a career in sports physiotherapy.
She has also recently been selected to become a Shepway Sports Ambassador, a role which sees her promote women in football and sport and also sport as a way of healthy living within the wider community.
Dad Lorne said: ‘We are all very proud of Erin. She has more than held her own in senior football and all is going well.’