Women's football news
Written by: Joe
Lewes FC can confirm versatile midfielder Lauren Heria has joined the Rooks ahead of the new Women’s Championship season.
Heria began her playing career at Leicester United before heading back to her native London to continue her studies. The The Loughborough University graduate represented Leyton Orient and then moved to London Bees last season.
Having used Lewes as part of her masters research, Heria knows a thing or two about the club already.
And she’s looking forward to getting started in the Championship this term.
“Football’s been an important part of my identity my whole life. I was at London Bees last season and was trying to push as much as possible to get into the Championship,” says Heria. “It’s a really exciting league and for me whenever I saw myself going into the Championship, Lewes FC was always a club I wanted to be at.
‘I love the values of this club’
“Of the pitch I’ve done a lot of research for my masters in sport business, and through that I was researching the club a lot. I had the opportunity to speak to Karen Dobres as part of that research, and from there I became really intrigued.
“I love the values of this club, and it’s a community I really want to be a part of. When the opportunity came to trial for the team, it was a no-brainer to come down.”
Heria, 27, had a successful trial under new boss Scott Booth earlier this summer and is ready to fight both on and off the field for the club.
‘My dad has already got his share!’
“It’s been a brilliant few weeks. I’ve got to know Scott and the staff, the entire team, and it’s pretty exciting what we’re creating here!
“I’m a versatile player and can be used anywhere in the midfield, or even wing-back if need. I’m an athletic player and that’s what I bring to the game. I love being vocal and communicating with my teammates. I like to be a leader on and off the pitch, and work hard in whatever I do.
“Through my research in my masters I got to know this amazing club. What stuck in my mind were the equal opportunities for the men’s and women’s teams, the environment being created here, and the ownership model. My dad has already got his share!
“It’s a club that has a lot of values and I know quite a lot of the staff off the pitch as well because of my work. This club has a lot of value in women’s sport and community, and Lewes aligns really well with who I am.
“I really want to be in this league – it’s been my drive for a long time. Now I’ve got the opportunity it’s about working as hard as I can and support the team.”
Everyone at Lewes FC welcomes Lauren to the Dripping Pan!