In each matchday programme, to celebrate our 40th anniversary, we speak to a former Spurs player to look back at their career and get their thoughts on the current side in our seventh season in the WSL.
Next up, it’s defender Leah Rawle as she reflects on her time in Lilywhite that included a quadruple winning campaign…
How did you get involved in football and what was your journey before joining Spurs?
Leah: “At around nine or 10 years old, I started playing for a boys team that my dad was coaching at the time, so I joined them and played in that group before finding a local girls team. After a couple of seasons, I was later scouted for Leicester City Women and I was with them in the Northern Premier Division for around five years before embarking on a new challenge."
How did your move to Spurs come about?
Leah: “I moved to London in 2014 and I obviously wanted to continue playing football, so I needed to find a new club. I was invited to come training with Spurs after speaking to the coaching staff, and I immediately loved the group, the coaches and the set up. You could really tell that everyone was passionate about the Club’s goals and the ambition for the future, so that’s where it all started for me in Lilywhite."
Talk us through your journey with the Club?
Leah: “I was with Spurs for around four full seasons, starting in the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division – now known as the FA Women’s National - and during that time, we progressed massively - it was amazing to be a part of it. Away from game, we made significant development off the pitch as well, we started training more, moved in at Hotspur Way while we slowly got staff and resources which supported our growth. During my four years at the Club, we won the league in 2017 and secured promotion to the Women’s Super League 2, while we also won the FA Women’s Premier League Cup and Ryman Women’s Cup twice! Those were such great memories."
You were part of the squad that won the Ryman Cup in 2015 and even scored in the Final, how special was that?
Leah: “I remember how important that Ryman Cup Final in 2015 was. It was the start of a lot of success for the group and ultimately gave us that confidence to achieve promotion from the league in the following season. It gave us so much belief that we could go on and achieve more – which is what we did!”
Any other favourite memories while wearing the Lilywhite shirt?
Leah: “I have a lot of great memories on the pitch but, away from the pitch, it’s mainly the togetherness we had as a group. All the players, coaches and staff were just all as one – it felt like a big family and we all enjoyed coming together to play football. The standout moment had to be winning the FA Women’s Premier League South Division at White Hart Lane in 2017 – and completing the quadruple that season with FA Women’s Premier League Cup, Boux Avenue Cup and the FA Women’s Premier League Play-Off Final.”
Have you been following the Club since your retirement and how impressed have you been with the growth of the Club?
Leah: “Yes, I still follow the Club as much as I can. Watching from afar, I have been so happy and proud to watch their success in the Women’s Super League and also them reaching their very first FA Cup Final. It has also been great to see the fanbase growing season on season – pushing the team even further.”
What are you currently doing?
Leah: “I’ve since moved to America to live with my family and I work full time. Of course, I still play football from time to time – mainly at the weekends – for fun. I have also stepped into the coaching role, supporting an Under-8s session, as I just love being involved in football.”