IZZY’S OUT FOR TOP AWARD
City midfielder hoping to move Blues up the table - and could bag major football honour in the process
CITY’S Izzy Christiansen is keen to continue raising the profile of women’s football to new heights.
England’s historic thirdplace finish at the World Cup in Canada captured the imagination of the nation.
The Lionesses’ performances ensured greater interest in the FA Women’s Super League, which has kicked-off again after its mid-season break.
City are fifth behind leaders Sunderland Ladies, though goals from Toni Duggan and Steph Houghton’s deflected effort helped the Blues beat third-placed Chelsea 2-1 last Sunday to keep up the pressure.
Midfielder Christiansen is keen to help the Blues shoot for the top in the coming months, starting with a trip to Arsenal Ladies a week tomorrow.
In doing so, she could also boost her chances of a nomination for the 2015 MBNA Northwest Football Awards’ women’s player of the year.
Duggan was the inaugural winner in 2013 and was succeeded 12 months later by fellow England star Houghton.
For the first time this year the coveted accolade will be sponsored by Women in Football, an organisation representing women working throughout the industry.
Macclesfield-born Christiansen – who previously played for Everton and Birmingham – said: “The way the game has progressed in the last four to five years has been remarkable.
“That’s credit to everyone involved in the game. And I am delighted to be at a club like City that is doing such fantastic things for women’s football and I am hoping to raise the profile even more.
“It is such an honour to be at the club and it is an honour to be part of an era for women’s football where it is striving to be better and really going places.”
Christiansen would also love to emulate City team-mates Houghton and Duggan by keeping the MBNA NWFA women’s player prize at the Etihad Stadium.
“Of course,” she laughs. “Steph is a fantastic player and a fantastic person as well. She has been a fantastic role model for me as a younger player growing up and I would love to follow in her footsteps at some stage.”
Christiansen must wait until November 16, when all the winners will be announced at Lancashire County Cricket Club’s The Point. However, Laura Wolfe, managing director of Journey9 and the MBNA Northwest Football Awards, is already happy to celebrate the new partnership with Women in Football.
“It’s a perfect fit for me and the MBNA Northwest Football Awards,” said Wolfe. “I am passionate about football and was thrilled when we were able to add a women’s player of the year category to our Awards in 2013.
“Since then the game and the profile of the Award has continued to grow. You only need to look at the profile of our two winners, Toni and Steph, to see that.”