Goals Galore for Gallacher
Whitehaven Ladies First Team made some significant signings over the summer to bolster an already talented side and one of those new signings has made a big impression already in Ellie Gallacher!!
Ellie Gallacher moved over to Cumbria as a youngster and made a big impact throughout her youth journey including being a thorn in Whitehaven sides. However she made the decision to put on the Amateurs badge over the summer and has not only settled easily into the side but made a big impact on coaches players and more importantly games, scoring and assisting as well as receiving Player of the Match Awards.
We caught up with the young striking sensation to get to know her a little better.
Ellie, tell us a bit about yourself, who did you used to play for as a youngster and how was journey as you were coming through the ages?
I started playing football when I was 7 years old for my local club in Newcastle called Heaton Hawks. When I moved to Cumbria I joined Cockermouth and later Abbeytown which were great fun.
You went onto play regional level, as a striker at 16yr old, that must’ve been a real proud moment but also maybe daunting, how did you find it and what were your highlights?
At the beginning, I was nervous because it’s a lot more physical and is a faster game but this soon settled. I think my highlight at this level was knocking Wallsend Women’s First Team, who were the league above, out the FA Cup. I recieved POTM having scored and assisted the winner in the last minute.
You obviously had Jamie Fitzwilliam as a coach at Penrith and he’s now here as a coach in our First Team, so you know what to expect, how was your time with Jamie and his expectations.
I was grateful for Jamie giving me the opportunity to play at Penrith first team while still playing for grassroots. I think Whitehaven will give him the platform to demonstrate his coaching ability and his valuable experience will further raise standards at the club.
You have scored plenty of goals past your new Manager, Rob Campbells teams in your youth days, and you also were coached by him at Workington Reds as a youngster, tell us a bit about your time at Reds, you certainly made an impression on our Manager whilst there.
Workington Reds gave me and other girls in the county extra coaching and training at a higher level when there were less opportunities for girls football in Cumbria then there are now and I enjoyed it.
Tell us the type of player you are, or what you think your team mates in past would describe the type of player you are and what you think you’ll try to bring to the team.
I am a forward, being able to play striker or either wing. I can score goals however im equally happy to assist teammates in scoring goals as well. I will bring energy to lead the line, quality link up play and hopefully some goals too!
It’s an exciting project and team at Whitehaven with real big ambitions to push for Regional and beyond, and you will certainly add to them goals, what’s your ambitions for the season.
I hope to help the team challenge for promotion, build relationships and carry on improving my own game by pushing myself and I believe Whitehaven will allow me to do this due to the structure and set up of the club.
First Team Coach Jamie Fitzwilliam spoke about Ellie’s arrival “It’s a real pleasure to welcome Ellie to Whitehaven Amateurs for the coming season. Having previously worked with Ellie at Penrith AFC, I already know she is exactly the type of player we want — talented, hard-working and a positive influence both on and off the pitch.
Ellie brings valuable regional-level experience, a strong all-round game and an outstanding work rate. What sets her apart, however, is her eye for goal.
She has consistently found the back of the net and I have every confidence that will continue here and has so far which isn’t a shock to me.
She will be an excellent addition to what is already shaping up to be an exciting front line. Ellie is another young, ambitious player who perfectly fits our philosophy and the standards we are building. It’s fantastic to have her on board and I’m looking forward to working with her again this season.
First Team Manager Rob Campbell added “From the moment I knew Ellie was available, I knew instantly she would be a perfect fit for the team and the club and I made it clear to her how much I felt she would be a big part of this exciting project we have.
As Jamie says she’s young & ambitious but my time coaching her at Workington Reds and against her when she played for Cockermouth I had huge admiration for her. She’s a lovely lass first and foremost but I believe her footballing DNA matches the type of DNA we want in the team and we have already seen the early positive signs this will be a great match. I’m really looking forward to seeing her progress and build strong relationships in the team, and in her short time already she has made a big impact, bringing good standards to a young and ambitious side.
We have real high targets we want to achieve at Whitehaven, something I’ve been supporting for nearly 15yrs at the club, and I believe we are on the cusp of realising some of the next targets we set ourselves and we have excellent facilities, an excellent coaching team and amazing players across our teams, and a set up that’s in tune to help develop talent whilst bringing talent up from our award winning pathway and as with Ellie attracting some of the best local talent that fits our DNA into the club”
Ellie is supported by the wonderful folk at The Round Keswick!!
Comments