Nottingham Forest Supporters’ Trust caught up with Forest Women’s captain Lyndsey Harkin following the announcement that the Trust is sponsoring her shirt for the 2022/23 season.
At the end of July, the nation fell in love with Lionesses as they lifted the Women’s Euros trophy. But locally, Nottingham is home to its own gamechanger, Lyndsey Harkin, captain of Nottingham Forest Women.
Lyndsey has played against the majority of the Lionesses squad both during her spell at Doncaster Belles, and at the City Ground in January, when Forest Women took on Lucy Bronze, Demi Stokes, Georgia Stanway and Alex Greenwood – all part of the star-studded Manchester City team.
“I have played on the same team as a few of them too. Millie Bright, Beth England and Mary Earps (ex-Forest) both played at Doncaster Belles at the same time as me,” said Lyndsey. “I also played with Lucy Bronze and Demi Stokes when I played for England u19s and 20s.”
Lyndsey got into football through her older brother. “Whatever he did, I did, so I followed him into football – and to start with I played with Sherwood Boys under 6s and under 7s, before I joined Forest under 8s, and through my teenage years I moved up into the reserve team.
“In those days it was more difficult to get into playing football as a young girl. Luckily the teachers at my school did support me, but it was certainly rare to see a girls’ team.”
An opportunity then was presented to Lyndsey to play for Doncaster Belles in the forerunner of the Women’s Super League, where Lyndsey played for six years until a young family meant that a move back to her roots at Forest made sense.
“It was very different in those days. We had the Forest name and badge, but there was a lot of fundraising and the set-up was volunteer-based. Now we are under the Forest umbrella and social media makes a huge difference in raising our profile. And of course, you now have women’s football on television as well.”
Lyndsey is now captain of the Forest team and led Forest out twice at the City Ground last season to face Derby County and Manchester City.
“Stepping out in front of a City Ground crowd, in your hometown, is unreal. It’s a great feeling and it’s fantastic to see so many families there. I think it’s important that both young girls and boys see women playing football.”
On the national stage, the success of the Lionesses offers a great opportunity to grow the women’s game at all levels, and as a spectator sport.
Lyndsey explained: “The crowds were amazing. To win the tournament in England was extra special and the letter the team wrote [to the prime ministerial election candidates] showed leadership and the team’s desire for a legacy. We’ve seen what women’s football can achieve and we’ve seen there is an audience.
The Nottingham Forest’s Supporters’ Trust has provided women’s player sponsorship for several seasons and this season will sponsor Lyndsey’s away kit. The Trust has added the Women’s team to its new constitution and is keen to explore ways to encourage more supporters to attend games whether those are at the City Ground or at the regular venue in Eastwood.
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You can find out more about Forest Women at: nottinghamforest.co.uk/teams/women
