History made as Lydia steps up to first team
Maidenhead United Women: Teen graduates from MUFC Academy Women’s section
A piece of Magpies history was made last week during Maidenhead United Women’s FA Women’s National League match at Swindon Town, writes Neil Maskell.
In the 64th minute of the match, played at Fairford Town, teenager Lydia Vettese (right) came on for her MUWFC debut. She is the sixth teenager to play for Ed Jackson-Sankey’s side this season and the first ever to graduate to the MUWFC first team from the MUFC Academy Women’s section.
Lydia began her footballing journey in local Reading-based sides and reflects: “I got into football through my dad. I would spend hours in the garden kicking a ball around.
“I found a local team called Laurel Park and had to play a year up as there wasn’t an age group for me, but I really enjoyed it.
“We had one team who were our rivals and that was Tilehurst Panthers. They would beat us every single time, so my parents wanted me to progress myself and play for them. It was one of the best decisions I made.
I played for Tilehurst Panthers for seven or eight years and we became national champions at the Aces tournament, we progressed to the Surrey County League so that we could push ourselves as a team and we had some great seasons there.
“I am now at Berkshire College of Agriculture studying Sports Coaching and Development. My coaches and teachers wanted me to go down to Maidenhead United and push myself to play at that higher standard.
“Leaving Tilehurst was one of the hardest decisions, although I knew that I had to give Maidenhead a go. I’m looking forward to this season with the first team and progressing as a player and just take in the opportunity that I have to play with talented players and with amazing coaches and staff around us.”
MUWFC manager Jackson-Sankey is thrilled at the progress of the youngster: “Lydia is a person who really excites us. I say person rather than player because the thing that impresses first about Lydia is her attitude and personality.
“She is humble enough to receive coaching, self-aware enough to be able to reflect and critical of herself, polite and friendly.
“As for her football ability, Lydia has a skill set that is varied and energetic and will prove to be incredibly beneficial for us moving forward. We hope as a coaching team and as a club to be able to play a part in contributing to her continued development and are excited to see just how far she goes.”
Lydia and her team-mates take on AFC Bournemouth this Sunday 6th November at York Road in a 2pm kick off.
Admission for season ticket holders is free, Adults £5, Concessions £3.