Erin Radbourne: “I’ve learnt a lot”

Erin Radbourne reflected on a ‘learning experience’ after being involved in our first team squad for the final months of the 2024/25 campaign.

The young goalkeeper stepped up to first team training at the beginning of March, having had a number of sessions prior to then, before being involved in our Barclays Women’s Super League squads until the end of the season.

Then, in our penultimate away game of the campaign - a trip to Liverpool - Erin was named on the substitute’s bench in the WSL for the first time in her career.

Having joined our Academy set-up at Under-16 level, Erin impressed in her first season for the Under-21s, while enjoying a hugely positive dual-registration spell at Chesham United, and she was rewarded with an opportunity to be part of our senior squad for the trip to St Helens Stadium.

Reflecting on her time in and around the first team squad, she said: “It was a good experience, especially being in and around the senior goalkeepers most of the days, I have learnt quite a lot of new things and implemented them into my game. I believe I have improved well over the year.

“It was a lot different to the Under-21s, obviously being around experienced and senior players, it has helped my confidence massively as I’m talking more to them than I did in my first ever session."

Recalling the moment she received the news about being in the WSL matchday squad, Erin added: “I wasn’t expecting it at all, so when the squad was named and my name came out, I was quite shocked. It was a good experience being on the bench, especially travelling with the team as well. I learnt how the players approached the game with their attitude and it’s something I can use in my routine as well.”

The goalkeeper played 18 times for the Under-21s last term and played a pivotal role in Nick Hardy’s side’s run to the Capital Cup semi-final, including her penalty shootout heroics against QPR in the second round of the competition, where she saved two spot-kicks.

When asked about the overall campaign and what was learnt from it, Erin answered: “I think I have developed quite a lot, in different aspects of the game, confidence being one of those, I have grown as a person and my game plan is getting better.

“I always have room for improvement, but I feel being around the Under-21s and the first team, I have improved quite a bit.”