4 minute read

coral haines

My first memories of the game were of my Dad taking me to training. He didn’t drive back then, so he used to walk with me for an hour to every session and every game, whether it was in the rain or sunshine!

From the age of seven, I started playing for the U9s at my local team, Leicester City. I ended up staying at the club until U16s level, when I was asked to play for Birmingham’s U17s. I spent a season with them and then, at the age of 16, signed for the first-team squad.

A former England Under-23 international, Haines was part of the Birmingham City Ladies team who reached the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Take note of

After making her professional debut as a 16-year-old for Birmingham, Haines scored her first Women’s Super League goal at the same age, against Liverpool in September 2013.

At the time, Birmingham were competing for the Women’s Super League, and doing really well. They were one of the best clubs in England at that point, so I knew it was the place to be. It was a big commitment at first because I still lived in Leicester – it’s not just around the corner! – and my parents had to consider how that would fit into mine and my siblings’ lives. It just felt like the next step in my journey.

Rachel Williams – who is at Manchester United now – was there back then. She’s also a Leicester girl; I used to look up to her, when she was in the first-team and I was in the youth team. There was also Kirsty Linnett, who was two or three years older than me, and she started at Leicester as well. I used to watch her games and she was just incredible. She signed for Birmingham the year I went into the first-team as well.

At that time, Birmingham had players like Karen Carney, one of the best players I’ve ever played with. Laura Bassett was there, Jo Potter too… I used to train with them a lot, and it helped me develop my game in so many different aspects. I just felt quite privileged.

With any opportunity I got from the manager, I tried to embrace it with open arms. I didn’t really think too much about it. I just try to take every day as it comes, and whatever challenge I’m given, I try to express myself. I soak up the moment, rather than over-analyse.

I’ve learned in my career that there’s always somebody you can learn from, regardless of what position they play or how old they are. You just have to be open to learning new things that you can take into your game.

Eventually, I got to the point where I wanted to play, and I wanted to be somewhere I could make an impact on the team more often than not. My move to Tottenham in 2017 was a loan at first, but I enjoyed it; their vision was something I was excited by.

In the summer of 2020, my contract expired at Tottenham, so I looked around at different clubs. For me, Palace just had the right people, who gave me a lot of confidence in the vision the club has.

When I arrived, I was just a No.10. – I played one position. I knew I had to work hard for the club – that was a given to get onto the pitch – so I had to develop my defensive work ethic. Now, I can play in central midfield and as a box-to-box midfielder as well, and I’ve developed my technical and tactical game. Hopefully that transfers onto the pitch every Sunday.

I’ve worn the captain’s armband on occasion in the second half of the season. It’s been such a proud moment for me. For me to be able to represent this team is amazing.

We’ve got such an exciting squad. There’s quality from front to back, all over the pitch, and we are capable of achieving big things in the next few years.

The loyal Crystal Palace fans, who are there week-in, week-out, drive us on. That helps us give that extra bit more, when we can hear them every single game, home and away.

It’s just incredible to hear them singing from start to finish. It’s like having a 12th player out there. Your support is really valued by the team, and we love having you back us at games.

Now, we just want to try and get as many points in the table as possible, and implement what we’ve worked on from the first week of the season.

We started a process with how we want to play, trying to get stronger at what we’re good at, and what we set out to do at the start of the season is just so important.

Regardless of where we sit in the table, trying to improve our style of play and principles is just as important as fighting for the title for support on starting your wellbeing journey and to find out more on how Vitality rewards its members for being active.

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