Page 28 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.1(1) 2021-22

Sophie to wear Blades armband

Sheffield United are delighted to confirm former England
international Sophie Bradley-Auckland has been named as
their new club captain ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.
The vastly experienced 31-year-old joined the club this
summer from Liverpool and has played at the very top level for
both club and country and will take the armband when the
team returns to the pitch on Sunday at Blackburn Rovers for
their first league match of the season.
Forward Courtney Sweetman-Kirk will take up the role
of vice captain for the new season, the 30-year-old becoming a
constant in the starting eleven after joining last season, ending
her debut campaign as a Blade with eight goals.
With both players experienced at the top level and
Bradley-Auckland having represented her country at a World
Cup and Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics, head coach
Neil Redfearn never had any doubts over the defender's
attributes to lead the team this season.
"I know Bradders as a person, I know what type of person she is and the type of leader she
is," he said. "She's an inspirational player and she's got good values. She wants to win, the first
thing she asked before joining was 'are we going to win games?' That's what she wants to do and
it's the perfect choice really.
"She's been an international footballer, an Olympian, and for our young players she's the
perfect role model. I always had her in mind right from the off, she has a love for the game, she
wants to win, she'll drive her team mates on.
"I think Courtz is relishing it too and it's really well deserved. She comes across well, she
speaks sense and she's another good role model for the younger players. It's important to have
these characters in and around your team and we've got a few of them, it just makes the dressing
room a lot easier to work with.
"It's a really good atmosphere at the moment. It's a smaller squad, everyone's got a clear
sight of the first team and it's a good place right now.
Bradley-Auckland said: "It's an absolute honour and something I won't take lightly and I'll
do everything I can to put the team before me as I usually do anyway.
"To be honest, I was pretty taken aback when I was asked! I just felt very privileged to be
able to join the team and play football again, let alone lead out such a fantastic team full of great
people and great players and such great backing from the club as well."
Vice-captain Sweetman-Kirk is also delighted to help lead the team ahead of the new
campaign: "I've always tried to be that through my career, I've always been quite vocal. We've got
a lot of experience in this squad but also a lot of young players too and I think it's important that
those experienced players take all that on a little bit and make sure we've got the right balance.
"We complement each other well I think and we're both vocal but also lead by example. You
look at Bradders and the condition she's come back in after having a baby and being injured, she's
one of the ultimate professionals."
Sheffield United have also announced that midfielder Matilda Taylor has become the latest
young talent to make the jump from the club’s development squad to the first team.
The 17-year-old has progressed through the ranks at the club since initially joining at the
age of 13 and has impressed during pre-season training, featuring in their friendly against
Middlesbrough last month.
The teenager is far from the first to be brought into the first team squad by head coach Neil
Redfearn, following in the footsteps of both Charley Docherty and Tamara Wilcock last season
who both stepped up from the club’s development team.
Along with Lucy Watson and summer signing Mia Enderby from Leeds United, Taylor
adds to the exciting young prospects within Redfearn’s squad.
Issue no. 1 - 2 September 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk