Page 8 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.35 2022-23

Chelsea are thrilled to announce that Lauren James has signed a new contract, keeping the forward
at the club until the summer of 2027. The 21-year-old was part of the Chelsea Academy from
Under-10s to Under-14s level, possessing a unique talent that has seen her go from strength to
strength. She has pace, technique and creativity in abundance and is establishing herself as one of
the brightest young talents on the world stage.
Having been on Chelsea’s books at youth level, James made her debut for Arsenal aged 16 in
October 2017. However, she would go on to sign her first professional contract with Manchester
United just under a year later. James was quick to showcase her potential and proved she
possessed that clinical edge with 14 goals in 18 league appearances for the Reds, helping them win
promotion to the top flight of women’s football.
She wrote her name into the history books after netting United’s first ever goal in the Barclays
FA Women’s Super League, ending the 2019-20 campaign as their top scorer with six goals in 12
appearances, resulting in a nomination for the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year award.
In July 2021, James re-joined Chelsea and signed a four-year contract with the Blues. In her
debut season, she made 12 appearances and got herself on the scoresheet in the 9-0 victory over
Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on their way to a league and FA Cup double.
During the 2022-23 campaign, James was influential in helping Chelsea clinch a second
consecutive WSL and FA Cup double, while they also reached the League Cup final and the UEFA
Women’s Champions League semi finals along the way.
On the international stage, Lauren has represented England at Under-17 and Under-19 level.
She received her first senior call-up as part of a training camp in November 2020 and starred at the
Arnold Clark Cup in February this year, where she collected the Player of the Tournament award.
This week, she was named in the England squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and
to date she has been capped 10 times, scoring once.

Brendan Napier has been appointed as the first Commercial Director of Scottish Football
Marketing. Brendan’s appointment follows an extensive recruitment process, and he will join in
the summer following a two-year spell as Sales & Operations Director with Molson Coors in
Scotland. Prior to that he spent 12 years with Sky in a series of senior roles, including Director of
Partnerships and Head of Field Sales.
Scottish Football Marketing is a joint venture between the Scottish FA, SPFL and SWPL and
will co-ordinate Scottish football’s marketing inventory and resources across the three
organisations, with the goal of driving growth in the commercial value of the game’s key
sponsorship assets for the benefit of the entire sport in Scotland.
Brendan Napier, Scottish Football Marketing Commercial Director, said: “It’s an enormous
honour to have been appointed to this vital role and I can’t wait to get started. Scottish football has
a uniquely passionate and committed audience and by harnessing resources on branding, selling
and fulfilment, we can bring major benefits to our existing and future partners.
“With the recent successes of the men’s and women’s national teams in qualifying for major
tournaments, the SPFL breaking its attendance records, and the phenomenal potential of the
women’s game domestically, Scottish football has incredible storytelling potential that can lead to
commercial growth, and I’m looking forward to becoming part of the team at Hampden Park.”
Fiona McIntyre aded: “The SWPL has been incredibly successful in its first year of existence,
with long-term broadcasting deals agreed with Sky Sports, BBC Scotland, and MG ALBA, and a
series of sponsorship and licensing contracts already secured. There has been unprecedented
interest in the women’s game in the past 12 months, not least as the SWPL reached its dramatic
conclusion, which saw over 25,000 fans attend SWPL matches on the final day of the season.
“We recognise the opportunity before us and embrace the responsibility of capitalising on the
positive momentum which has been generated following a record-breaking year. Brendan’s
appointment is a hugely significant moment for Scottish football and reflects the culture of
collaboration and innovation across the game. I was hugely impressed by Brendan’s energy and
passion for Scottish football and Iook forward to working with him, and Scottish Football
Marketing, to drive further revenues into the SWPL at this crucial point in the development of
women’s elite football in Scotland.”
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