League Champions and current holder of all four of Northern Ireland’s senior trophies, Glentoran Women FC is delighted to announce a number of significant new signings in advance of the new season, and also two important additions to the first team coaching staff.
Lauren Wade has rejoined Glentoran after a highly successful spell with Glasgow City. Lauren told www.glentoran.com : “I started playing football for Coleraine Ladies and played there until I signed for Glentoran in 2012. I spent 3 years with the Glens and in 2015 I was offered and accepted a 2-year scholarship at Carson Newman University in Tennessee USA. This was a fantastic experience. I gained many awards during my time at Cason Newman including – 2 Time all American, 2 Time SAC Player of the Year and 2 Time Carson Newman Female Athlete of the Year.
In 2019 I signed a professional contract with Icelandic team Throttur Reykjavik and this lead on to signing for Glasgow City, Scotland’s record 12 times National League Winners.
I have represented my country from age 16 and currently have 31 senior caps and 3 goals. I hope to add to both totals before I retire.
I have resigned for Glentoran Women as I enjoyed playing there before moving away from home and always said I’d return to play them. I’m looking forward to the season starting and getting back to playing in the Premier League.
Casey Howe has left Linfield to join the Glens for the new season. Casey told the club media team: “I started my footballing career at Ballinamallard FC at the age of 8 playing with boys in their national league up until I reached age 15. During my time at Ballinamallard, I played summer football with Mid Ulster Ladies, and then Linfield Ladies u17 and u19s.
In my first two u19 seasons with Linfield, I was NIWFA League Player of the Year, and I was also league leading goalscorer in my 2nd season. I then entered senior football with Linfield where I played for 2 seasons and in this time I competed in the qualify rounds of the champions league. Alongside my club career I have worked my way up through the ranks on the international scene playing in all underage categories to then making my senior debut at the age of 17.
I’ve signed for Glentoran Women this season to further my football career. I’ve enjoyed pre-season training and I’m looking forward to our season starting”.
Jennifer McDade has joined from Shelbourne in Dublin and the defender also spoke to the media team: “I Started playing football with Crusaders from youth level until age 18 where, I won 2 League Titles and 2 Cups and got to play in a Champions League Qualifying Tournament. At age 18 went to America for a year on a scholarship with Southern Mississippi University.
I decided to return home after my year in America and signed for Linfield. During my time there we won 3 Premier League titles, the NIFL League cup and Toals County Antrim Cup. I also played in Champions League Qualifying Tournaments with Linfield.
In 2019 I left Linfield for a new challenge and signed for Shelbourne Ladies based in Dublin who play in the FAI Women’s National Premier League. I spent 18 months with them before returning home to sign for Glentoran Women. I’m looking forward to this new challenge with the Glens and hopefully help them to winning more trophies.
During my football career I have played at Northern Ireland at youth levels u15/u17/u19 and got a senior cap from a friendly game”.
Stephen Murray and Lesley Winder have joined the coaching team at GWFC:
Stephen: “I grew up in Kilkenny and played football at school and locally until I went to USA on a 4-year scholarship to University of Memphis Lambuth in Tennessee. During that time, I played Semi Pro with Memphis Express and Nashville Metros.
After Graduating University, I Played Professionally with Wilmington Hammerheads in the USL League and played in the 1st Division in Croatia with NK Junak Sinj.
I coached at Triton College in Chicago and have also being involved with the County Tyrone Super Cup NI Team as a Lead Coach. I have Worked as a Soccer Scholarship Consultant for the past 8 Years with P4S Scholarships where I took teams over to America to compete against American Universities. Have now become owner/Director of my own Company called SMUSA Scholarships which sends Male and Female Students from Ireland earn sports scholarships in America and run annual tours to America.
I am delighted to have joined the coaching staff at Glentoran Women and I’m enjoying getting to work with the talented squad of players we have at Glentoran”.
Lesley: “I played every sport I could at a young age, but football was my passion. I represented my country from ages 11-17 in football. But just before starting university I tore my ACL and I struggled with direction and knowledge on how to return to play and decided that training and coaching would be my focus.
In terms of Strength and Conditioning I have worked with clubs such as Instonians Rugby, Grosvenor School, RBAI School, NI Civil Service Hockey, NI Women’s Volleyball, Belfast Harlequins Rugby, Mayobridge GAA and individual athletes from Ireland Cycling and Ulster Rugby. My aim is always to educate players and develop them to reach their true potential, to understand the work needed on and off the pitch.
I am impressed with the level of professionalism displayed by players, coaches and all staff at Glentoran Women and look forward to the start of the season”.
The champs aren’t messing about. Welcome to all our new additions.