Women's football news
A busy winter transfer window saw Ini Umotong, Lucy Ashworth-Clifford, Zoe Cross and Mollie Rouse all join the Club, but we also say farewell to Emily Donovan, Hannah Griffin, Lucy Porter and Ella Newman.
Welcome
The first of the signings was the experienced striker Ini Umotong on an 18 month contract. Umotong joined the Club after leaving Swedish side Växjö DFF where she scored twice in 13 matches. The striker made her debut against Sheffield United when she came on from the bench.
Lucy Ashworth-Clifford was our second signing of the winter transfer window and also made her debut against the Blades. The winger was part of the academies at Manchester United and Manchester City, before heading off to Lamar University in Texas in the United States of America. At university Ashworth-Clifford helped her side win their conference and conference tournament twice. She also went on to be awarded Player of the Tournament and Student-Athlete of the Year.
On deadline day it was a double announcement to end the transfer window as we welcomed Zoe Cross and Mollie Rouse to the Club. Both players have been part of England’s youth teams and were part of the 2018 U20 Women’s World Cup squad where they won a bronze medal. The Rooks’ new midfielders both went to the USA to study and play football, Cross went to the University of Missouri, while Rouse was at the University of Central Florida and University of Louisville.
Thank you
However, we also say goodbye to four players. Emily Donovan has moved on after spending a season and a half with the Rooks. Hannah Griffin joined in the summer of 2020 but has recently transferred from Harvard University to Oxford University so will be moving on. Lucy Porter only recently joined Lewes but will now be moving back to the USA to complete her final semester.
The final player to leave is Ella Newman. Newman came through the Lewes pathway and has been training up from the development squad and has featured for the first team this season and has now moved on.
We’d like to thank Emily, Hannah, Lucy and Ella for all they have done at the Club and wish them the best for the future.
Other updates
In other news, Paula Howells recently suffered a long-term injury after a partial tear of her left posterior cruciate ligament and is now on a rehabilitation programme at the Club. Sarah Kempson becomes a training player with Lewes while also providing coaching support, remaining a key member of the Club. Charley Boswell becomes a training player, remaining a key squad member providing support and advice to her teammates. She continues in her role within the team’s Captaincy Group. Claire Rafferty, a Lewes FC Director also joins the squad as a training player.