It was great to have some time with our Women’s team midfielder Emma Hester this week. If you usually flick through the programme and tend not to read too much detail, then take some time out with a cup of tea and enjoy Emma’s excellent interview.
Where have you played previously, and have you always been a footballer? Or do you play other sports?
“I have played football ever since I could walk. I used to go with my dad to his games so have grown up with football my whole life. He inspired me and my younger sister to watch/play which made us fall in love with the game. We have supported Manchester United our whole lives and the Sir Alex era (Class of 98) were my idols.
Due to women’s football not being as popular when I was younger, there were not women’s teams to look up to, and because of this, I never actually started playing in a team until I was 17. I went to Slough Town Ladies and that is where I first met our (WEFC) Ladies coach Lyndsey Tomlinson. I was a member of the reserves team who won the Thames valley league that season, undefeated. The following year I got called up to the ladies first team in the Southern Region league. I played for a few years before stopping when I had my son.
I had a break from football, but one of the Slough managers and a few of the ladies I used to play with, decided to start up a team again for Holyport FC in the Thames Valley league.
I feel I progressed personally as a player at Holyport, and it led me to move to Beaconsfield
FC where I played for 2 years, the last season with them was in the Southern Region league.
Playing for the last decade I have witnessed first-hand how much the women’s game has progressed and rightly recognised after being a male dominant sport for many years.”
What is your best position and where do you prefer to play?
“I am very fortunate that with my experience of playing for many years It has made me a versatile player and I have a good understanding of many positions. In my younger days I played as a striker but recently have played as a goalkeeper and in defence as well as central midfield!
I would say being centre midfield (number 10) role is my favourite position, as I like to be in and around the action and creating, if not scoring the goals.”
How would you describe your playing style?
“As a Midfielder I can read the game easily and I can anticipate everyone’s move. I have a very strong kick on me! I’ve regularly scored from outside the box or corners. I am aggressive when needed to be, and as a Vice Captain I know when my team needs me to lead. I am very passionate about winning and leading the team to win and give our best. I never lose my eyes from the ball and with my many years of experience in playing football, I feel I have look after the ball well, and create those little opportunities for the forwards.
I like to motivate and support and be loud on the pitch and give clear directions to my team when it’s needed, and I always have my Team’s back.”
Who’s the best player you’ve played with in a team?
“This one is tricky one, over the years I have played with some fantastic players, some have even gone on to play for Professional clubs, and even their international teams (Sally Wade – Wales International) to name but one of them.
Any player you’d hate to play against every week?
“This would without doubt have to be my sister Hannah Hester who is a centre back, and currently plays for Beaconsfield ladies. I’ve played alongside her for many years but never against, she is loud, feisty and strong…an absolute unit.
I’d also have to say my good friend and our captain for Stevie Romney, she is an absolute joy to play with. I’ve never known anyone to get around the pitch as much as she does, everywhere you look she is there! I’m delighted she is playing for us and isn’t an opponent.”
Best piece of footballing advice you’ve ever been given?
“Always have fun, trust in your own ability, trust in the players around you and the management team you have on the sideline, always play to the whistle and never give up, fight until the end because in football anything can happen.”
What’s your ambition?
“The talent we have in this team, from the youngsters to the elders, we have undoubtably the ability to win the league for sure. Some of our players have only just started their footballing journey and some who have played before and now learning a new position like our goalkeeper Tabs.
These girls are a great bunch; most of them I’ve played with before. Rach, Shell, Holly, Georgie and Sophie, so I know what we are capable of and obviously would be a dream to win in our first season. I think the main aim this season is to establish ourselves as a team for this club, build that bond between us all, which will make us improve and be even stronger each week to progress. But most of all definitely enjoy ourselves playing the sport we all love. If we can win the league in doing all this that’s a bonus.”
