Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
17
May
Exclusive: The Harrogate girl playing in tomorrow's FA Cup Final
The Harrogate district has seen firsthand the popularity of women’s football skyrocket in recent years.
Rachel Daly helped England win the 2022 European Championships. Knaresborough Town Women were recently promoted into the premier division of their league, while promising young footballers like Ripon’s Lottie Day and the Pannal Ash girls are making their mark on the area.
There are a lot of female footballers in the district with big dreams.
Manchester United’s Leah Galton is currently living them.
The Harrogate-born winger is set to play in the FA Cup Final on Sunday (May 17), when the Red Devils take on Chelsea. This will be her third FA Cup Final in three years.
The Stray Ferret spoke to Galton this week, who told us how she got into football:
Through my dad, mainly. He used to play for a team called Spa Athletic as a goalkeeper. I used to warm him up before his games and I fell in love with it.
I’ve played football since I can remember. I went to Harrogate Railway, then to Harrogate Town, then Leeds. The Harrogate clubs were stepping stones towards my professional career, so I look back on the district fondly.
Leah Galton with her dad. Photo: Leah Galton on Instagram
A former pupil at the town's St Robert's Catholic Primary and St John Fisher Catholic High School, the United number 11 told us what she remembers of her school days:
It was brilliant, absolutely carefree. I actually remember one of my teachers telling me that I needed to pursue a real job, so it’s nice to have proved them wrong! I had a really good relationship with my old PE teacher though, and I’m still close with them now.
The three-time Women’s Super League Player of the Month said that St John Fisher still lets her train on their artificial grass pitches during the off-season.
Rachel Daly
Harrogate has an impressive ability to produce female football superstars.
Rachel Daly, 33, of Aston Villa, was also born in the area, attending Saltergate and Rossett schools. She was part of the England squad that won the Women’s European Championship in 2022.
We asked if the pair know each other. Galton said:
I do know her, although she’s slightly older than me so we weren’t really close.
We both went to play in America at the same time. I remember we did our stats test together and she drove me there.
I don’t speak to her much apart from when we play Villa, so it’s nice to catch up then.
Rachel Daly playing for England. Photo: Rachel Daly on Instagram
Formidable opponents
Last year, the 30-year-old lifted the FA Cup following a 4-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. But her celebrations were hampered somewhat by a tibia fracture she had sustained during the match.
Rather than going to the hospital immediately, the winger was treated on-site, having her leg put into a protective boot.
She said that it was difficult to enjoy the celebrations fully because she was in a lot of pain, and that she hopes to win again on Sunday to make up for it.
United’s opponents, Chelsea, are no pushovers, though. Finishing 12 points above second placed Arsenal, the Blues went unbeaten this season to secure their sixth successive league title.
They beat United 1-0 in both fixtures this season, an identical scoreline to the last time the two sides met in the FA Cup Final in 2023.
Galton told us whether she believed they could beat Sonia Bompastor’s side:
I 100% believe we can turn them over. We’re as good a side as they are and it’s a cup final, where anything can happen.
It’s more about revenge this time for us. They’ve frustrated us this season with two close defeats, and we want to change that.
The footballer had to be helped up the Wembley steps by her teammates. Photo: Leah Galton on Instagram
A record attendance
Regardless of the result, the forward will be stepping out at Wembley for the third time in her career. A record attendance for the competition is expected.
She told us what that experience is like:
There’s no other feeling like it. I don’t get crowd shy either, if anything it makes me more excited. I just want to enjoy it while it’s there though because experiences like that might not happen many times in your career.
I take it all in when we’re walking out but as soon as we get going, I just block it all out. I want to focus entirely on what’s happening on the pitch.
It’s really nice to see for the wider game too – I’ve seen it at it’s lowest where you wouldn’t even get a crowd. Cut to now playing at Wembley in front of 77,000 – it’s amazing.
Leah Galton is one of the most inspiring sportspeople to come out of the Harrogate district. Her story will complete another remarkable chapter this weekend.
Manchester United will face Chelsea at 1.30pm tomorrow (May 18). It will be available to watch on BBC One and iPlayer.
0