Former Durham Wildcats & Player of the Year Returns to the County Ground!!

The Whitehaven AFC Ladies welcome their second major signing to the First Team with former Durham Wildcats player & Whitehaven First Team Player of the Year Scarlett McAvoy returning to the club!!

Scarlett joined Whitehaven Pathway as a youth player in 2020 and played for both the girls and boys teams, becoming an instant favourite in both, supporting a strong boys team and a very successful girls team who were competing for top honours annually.

Scarlett drives forward for Durham Wildcats against Sunderland FC

Scarlett remembers here time fondly in the pathway and part of the reason she had returned “I can’t remember exactly how old I was when I started at Whitehaven. I think it was u14s and that was for the lads and lasses. I love the people and environment down there, it’s always been a safe space, like a separate family. The coaches always wanting the best for me and helping to improve my weaknesses and bringing the best out of me”.

Scarlett competing strongly against Celtic for the Mixed Youth Team!!

Scarlett was getting noticed a lot as a youth player not just in the local league and competitions but further afield and trialled for Durham Wildcats at U16s where she was successful and even played and trained with the high level U23s team which included First Team players. “ I was at Durham at u16s before I moved up to u23s with them, which was really enjoyable as well as challenging. I feel I became a completely different player during this time because I was surrounded by high quality players and the training sessions were a different level. Matches helped me improve playing against other really good players, and I felt it improved me in every aspect as a player.”

Scarlett “Macca” McAvoy celebrates with her Durham Team Mates!!

Scarlett returned to Whitehaven at 18 and instantly became a regular First Team player, controlling midfield with what her team mates would say, energetic, aggressive and hard working style. Scarlett made 17 appearances in her first season as a senior player as she helped the team win their second promotion in two years at the heart of midfield and was awarded Player of the Year.

Scarlett made a further 9 appearances in the Premier Division before leaving to join Penrith First Team, but injuries meant only one appearance and Scarlett took a year out.

Macca shows her athleticism as she jumps high to win the ball!!

Scarlett is really looking forward to getting started in the Lancashire Premier League and already has made an impact in the Cumberland FA Women’s League scoring two goals against Carlisle United Development in her second appearance, something her coach and Scarlett joked about “We were laughing when she scored the two goals as both were absolute screamers and it was something me and Macca were working on 1-2-1 prior to her leaving as she wanted to add more goals to her game, so she’s hopefully remembered something from that and can carry the goals on”

Scarlett was full of praise for the Whitehaven set up and what attracted her back, as well as her individual goals and team goals ahead of the season “I am familiar with Whitehaven so thought it was right to come back to Whitehaven, as they’ve always been good with me and it’s a pleasure to play for them. I think what they are looking to do on and off the pitch is exciting and I think it’s the right place for me to play. My goals for next season would be for the team to get promoted that would be a good achievement, to reach Regional football. I personally would like to get back to how I was playing before I left, with being out of football for 10 months, fitness and building relationships with new team mates first, and contribute to the team positively.

Scarlett never giving up on any 50/50 for the First Team!

First Team Manager Rob Campbell said on Scarlett signing “Macca has always been a lass I’ve had a good relationship with, she’s a cracking lass off the pitch, really funny and has folk laughing and smiling and full of energy. However on the pitch she is a fierce competitor and someone that gives any team real bite as well as quality. The way she moves and carries herself with the ball, able to turn either side is really entertaining to watch, plus its really difficult to get the ball off her. I also think her engine is one of best I’ve seen, sometimes feels like there is two of her playing, and she’s not scared of the dirty work.

I think when we both spoke about possibly coming back the conversation just flowed and was easy. I have a genuine respect for the lass and I laid out our plans and where I saw her fitting in as a lot had changed since she was last here, with lots of players she didn’t know and a major culture shift. Scarlett seemed genuinely excited by this and we decided to have some sessions with the ladies first, before she made a concrete decision, which she did fairly quickly after being with the group, to my delight.

I think along with the exciting and strong players with have retained and with other signings we are unveiling and excited to announce, Macca is another strong piece of the puzzle to come in ahead of next season as we push both teams to successful seasons”