Workington Town Women FC have confirmed their new leadership duo.
Kirsten Donald and Linzi Donaldson have been selected as, and accepted, the positions of captain and vice captain.
Kirsten steps into the role of club captain after only joining the club a little over 12 months ago, having left National League side Durham Cestria at the end of the 2023/24 season.
They replace Naomi Foster and Laura Miller, who stepped down earlier this week.
In her first season with Town Women, Kirsten was voted Players’ Player of the Season and Manager’s Player of the Season, such was her impact on the team.
Kirsten has a great footballing mind and the technical ability required to execute her vision.
She’s a calming influence on the pitch and leads by example with strong in possession play and a no-nonsense approach to winning possession back.
Kirsten said: “I had never really thought about leading the club in the capacity of captain.
“Naomi Foster had been doing an amazing job whilst I’ve been here. Naomi’s injury has resulted in her having to take a backward step, which we are all gutted about and obviously wish her well.
“The competition in our league gets stronger every year. I think it’s become apparent recently that we’ve missed her leadership on the pitch, and if I can plug this gap in the way she has I’ll be doing well.
“We have a really exciting squad of players with lots of ability and the club has great potential. I appreciate the faith the players have in me to deliver the role as their captain and I thank them for giving me this unexpected opportunity.”
Kirsten will be joined by Linzi Donaldson who steps into the vice captain’s role, her second spell in the leadership group having been the captain at the start of the 2020/21 season, before standing down for personal reasons.
Despite not officially holding a leadership role, Linzi has consistently conducted herself in a manner befitting of any of those positions.
Over the past four seasons she has battled through various challenges and is currently in great form and making a big impact in the team’s performances.
Her words of encouragement and support have been extremely well received by the new additions to the club and is seen as a go to player for footballing advice and explanations.
Linzi said: “This has come as a great surprise to me. I’ve always wondered if my chance to hold an official leadership role had passed me by having stood down from the captain’s position in early 2023.
“To be given a second chance and for that to come from my peers, comes as a massive personal achievement for me.
“To take over from a player that I have an immense amount of respect for in Laura Miller, makes this appointment that bit more special.
“Laura has been an exceptional leader for a long time now. I hope I can do her and the other players proud in my support of Kirsten and them all.”
Kirsten and Linzi will take up their positions with immediate effect.
