Beckett checks in with Spurs Ladies

Spurs Ladies have boosted their squad ahead of Sunday’s match against Lewes with the signing of former London Bees captain Emma Beckett.

The 31-year-old defensive midfielder, a nominee for the FA Women’s Championship Player of the Month award in December, played against Spurs twice for Bees earlier this term and says she’s excited at the prospect of helping the Lilywhites to push on from a strong first half of the season that currently has them perched second in the standings.

“I’m delighted to be honest!” beamed the versatile star, who has an extensive football CV that includes time on the books of Northampton Town, Watford, Fulham, Millwall, Charlton Athletic and – before Bees – a spell in Norway with top-flight side Amazon Grimstad Women. She’s also been capped by the Republic of Ireland.

“It’s no secret that Spurs Ladies have been very successful this year and as someone who has been in the league with them for a year or two now, you can see the progress that’s being made. Nobody has a bad word to say about Karen (Hills, Manager) or Juan (Amoros, Head Coach) so it’s really great to be involved and included in the squad now.

“Right from the off, as soon as I departed Bees, Karen was kind enough to get in touch. Her and Juan over recent weeks have shown me the vision and the path that Spurs are looking to take, I’ve consulted some of the players who I’ve previously played with and they said the coaching sessions have been excellent with the standard throughout, the attention to detail – these are all the kinds of things that have put Spurs in the position they are in. I think the style of play is something that I’d really like to help out with – it’s very attacking and the hard work and ethos behind that is incredible.”

Asked what she hopes to bring to the Spurs Ladies set-up, Emma replied: “I’m a midfielder by trade, a defensive one at that, so hopefully I can be an older head with a lot of experience. It’s a different challenge for me in that I’m trying to break into a successful team, so it will just be an honour to play a part in that. As and when the opportunity comes, I’ll be ready.”

Elsewhere, it has now been confirmed that Spurs Ladies will visit Crystal Palace Ladies in the fourth round of the SSE Women’s FA Cup on Sunday 3 February, kick-off 2pm.