This time last year, Melbourne Victory W-League had just completed the best season in the history of the club by hosting Sydney FC in the Grand Final. Unfortunately for the Victory it wasn’t to be their turn to win it, as they were beaten 3-1 by the Sky Blues.
Watching from the bench that day was a young striker named Caitlin Friend, oblivious to the fact that in just 12 short months she would be celebrating a move abroad to play in the English FA Women’s Super League with Notts County Ladies.
It’s fair to say the 2012/13 season was not the best time in her career. Hampered by injury early in the season, Friend only managed eight fleeting appearances off the bench, while failing to score a single goal.
She spent the winter of 2013 with Bundoora in the Women’s Premier League, succumbing to another injury for most of the first half of the season, but came back with a bang. Seemingly unstoppable by the end of the season her form carried over into the W-League for Melbourne Victory.
Ten games into the season, Friend is one goal behind former Victory teammate Jodie Taylor at the top of the scoring charts, and she is hell bent on getting one over the Sydney forward.
“I’m good mates with Jodie and she’s putting a lot of pressure on me right now because she’s in form and she’s scoring lots of goals so hopefully I can bag a few this weekend [against Perth],” Friend said.”
“I’ll back myself with this one and see how I go.”
With such hot form for the first time in her senior playing career, she has literally doubled her career tally of goals this season and it was no surprise there was interest from foreign clubs to secure her services.
Through the help of Welsh wizard Jess Fishlock, Friend was in contact with several clubs about a move to Europe, but she was most impressed by Notts County.
“I had contact with a few clubs like Everton, I talked to the Liverpool coach, also talked to a couple of German clubs but the main one was Notts County so I just stayed with them,” she said.
The club itself has been shrouded in controversy ever since the re-structure for top level football in England. As part of the requirements for the WSL, each club had to strike up a partnership with a men’s club and what was then Lincoln City Ladies had no option but to move to Nottingham to affiliate with Notts County, a club in League One (or the third tier). Staying in Lincoln would have been tough, given Lincoln City’s men’s side are in the fifth tier of English Football and lack the same standard of facilities that Notts County could offer.
The move may have alienated supporters but it has allowed the club to recruit some top level players such as England international striker Ellen White, Canadian international defender Desiree Scott, and Scottish centre back Rachel Corsie.
It’s not hard to see why Friend was tempted by the offer, given the really good squad to work with and learn from, as well as playing in a country that should be straightforward in terms of settling in.
“[Notts County] got a bit more money into them and changed their name, changed the structure of their football and they signed a lot of good players, high quality players. It was one of the only clubs that had a full time professional kind of offer so it was really good to see such a club interested in me,” she said.
“I wanted to play in a league that was high quality like the W-League and I’ve heard only good things about the WSL, it’s an English speaking country, it is played perfectly in between Victory’s pre-season so I don’t miss any part with the W-League and I guess I just like England and Europe and I want to go around that area.”
Then there’s the fact that her Victory teammate Katie Hoyle had already been signed up to the club earlier in January. That made the decision much easier for Friend, who is excited to be going on this new adventure with the Kiwi international.
“It was definitely a factor to go up there with someone you are familiar with makes a massive difference and Katie’s an awesome chick and I think we’ll be living together hopefully so I think that’s going to make the transition a lot easier,” she said.
Hoyle has had prior experience playing in Europe, having turned out for then German Bundesliga Club SC 07 Bad Neuenahr. The decision to go to England was of personal preference as she sought to continue playing at a high level throughout 2014. Her experience gained playing in the continent should stand her in good stead, and also help Friend out, when she does eventually make it over to Nottingham.
“I’ll actually be following her [to Notts] because I have Football Ferns commitments and such before I head over there and she’ll be there a couple of weeks before me but I’m really pleased that she’s going to be there too because we get on really well and she’s a really good girl,” Hoyle said.
“Playing overseas just adds to your experience as a player and I’m just excited, getting ready for the challenge and it sounds like a really good set up there and it’s really professional and that’s exactly what I was after.”
Yet another Victory face on the way to England will be head coach Dave Edmondson who was recently appointed the manager of Fishlock’s former club Bristol Academy. Friend was the more enthusiastic of the pair when reminded of that fact, but still played down pencilling in the fixture.
“I’m not sure how the fixtures are rolled out, I don’t even know if they have been released yet but I’m sure it’ll be an interesting match to go up against Dave,” Friend said.
Hoyle preferred to remain in the present, and not look too far ahead.
“To be honest I haven’t really thought about that. I’m just trying to focus on the remaining season here and I’m excited to go there, and exciting that Caity’s going there too but I haven’t thought too much about the season there yet,” Hoyle said.
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For Friend, the move to England is a huge step forward in her career, and an achievement thats been a while in the making.
Having been around the Young Matildas set up in her youth days, she was part of a golden crop of Victorian girls that included the likes of Bri Davey, Steph Catley and Ash Brown. Seeing those around her make the step up to the senior side without her would’ve been hard to take, but Friend always remained positive in her own ability, and took her own time to develop as a footballer.
“I think I’ve always been a late bloomer. They were in the Young Matilda’s squad before me and I kind of joined late as well,” she said.
“Also I’ve just been one to follow a bit later on so I guess I develop a bit later and I’m sure as I grow I’ll get more opportunities I guess but I’m just happy with how I’m playing right now so that’s what matters.”
With a World Cup beckoning in 2015, playing at a high level is paramount for any footballer with the ambition of being on the plane to Canada. The move to Notts County will only enhance Friend’s chances of making the Matildas’ squad but the forward remains grounded, preferring to focus on playing well for both her clubs.
“Right now I’m just focussing on Victory and obviously now Notts County. If some sort of national call comes up I’m sure I’ll see what happens but I’m just focussing on what’s happening right now,” she said.
As for whether she feels fellow footballers should try and ply their trade internationally, Friend was positive that if the opportunity comes up that everyone should snap at the chance. But she also praised the standard of the WPL, which has helped propel her to the stage she is now at.
“I think with the W-League played in practically every other league in the world’s off season it’s a great opportunity for Australians to go abroad in leagues at such a high standard,” she said.
“But at the same time the WPL offers good quality as well and the players that stay here and get that just different standard. But if you are looking to travel and something different I think Australians should definitely going abroad and play.”