MUM MADE SURE I WAS BOUND FOR BLACK CATS
LUCY STANIFORTH has a ready-made mentor in her football-mad dad, but the Sunderland midfielder revealed that mum’s influence proved equally pivotal in her move to the North East.
Staniforth arrived at the Lady Black Cats on the back of conflicting campaigns with former club Liverpool.
In 2014, after joining for a reported five-figure fee, she sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in pre-season, before watching the Reds win the WSL 1 title from her treatment table.
And, while Staniforth returned to action last year, Liverpool’s performances – which ultimately saw the champions avoid relegation by just five points – were a bitter pill to swallow
hen the idea of moving on took hold, Staniforth was tempted by Sunderland – where she spent three years as a teenager – and naturally turned to her father, Gordon, for advice.
The former Carlisle United and York City striker – and Doncaster Rovers Belles manager – knows a thing or two about the game. But, as it turns out, so does mum Sandra.
“I would be stupid not to get some feedback from my dad,” said Staniforth. “He knows the sport and he is quite big in the women’s game, too.
“Surprisingly, my mum is up to scratch on football, too, though I don’t think she has had much choice in a footballing family!
“They were really keen for it and my mum lives up in Northumberland, anyway, so it was perfect for her. They are looking forward to hopefully seeing me reproduce some of my old performances.
“I had extremely mixed emotions last season. I was playing, so I didn’t want to take that for granted, but I had some reservations about my performances and the team weren’t performing.
“It was bittersweet, but one that I look back on as a stepping stone towards my comeback.
“I have had my share of bad luck. I have hopefully seen the last of the hospital now.”
She has certainly had a fair number of setbacks in her career, but it’s easy to forget that Staniforth is still only 23.
Spells with Notts County and Bristol Academy preceded her time with Liverpool, while the midfielder has represented her country throughout the age groups.
However, before she begins to entertain the idea of a senior England call-up, hitting the ground running at Sunderland is the top priority.
Carlton Fairweather’s side were the surprise package of 2015, promoted to WSL 1 the previous season and immediately registering an unlikely title challenge.
Eventually they finished fourth and Staniforth, who has seen what it takes to top the table, sees no reason why they cannot kick on.
“I spoke to Carlton in late November and didn’t actually manage to sign until January – but my intentions were always to come here,” she added.
“Life is pretty good at the minute. There are plenty of aches and pains but I’m not complaining and it has been really easy to settle here.
“Carlton has definitely strengthened the squad from last year, so I don’t see why we can’t compete on all fronts.
“If we could get some points off the top teams, that would be brilliant, but Sunderland surprised the whole league last year and it would be fantastic to carry on the run.”