ReactionLily Woodham interview: 'Joining LFC Women is surreal - it's a dream come true'
Lily Woodham cannot wait to get started and fulfil a lifelong dream of playing for Liverpool.
After featuring for Wales at this summer's European Championship, Woodham has made the move to join international teammates Ceri Holland and Gemma Evans at the Reds.
The full-back has completed a transfer from Seattle Reign in the USA, having spent last season on loan in the Barclays Women's Super League with Crystal Palace.
Woodham becomes the fourth arrival for LFC Women this summer, following the acquisitions of Kirsty Maclean, Rafaela Borggrafe and Sam Kerr.
Read on to see what she had to say in her first interview with Liverpoolfc.com…
Lily, welcome to Liverpool FC Women. How does it feel to officially be a Red?
It's amazing. Obviously I'm a fan of Liverpool, so it's a dream come true really.
You arrive here from Seattle Reign but you've had a very busy summer with Wales at the Euros – what was that experience like for you?
It was incredible. I think looking back, obviously when we did qualify and that feeling of when we finally made it was just amazing. To get there and to see all the kind of little things – our team base, the bus, just being involved – and then having all our family and friends out there was amazing. The people you meet from Wales are always so proud and passionate about being from there, so to see the red wall when we first went out was incredible.
We were speaking with your new clubmate Ceri Holland before the Euros and she was talking about how much it means to play for Wales. It was an historic occasion for the country…
It is really hard to put into words. We've had quite a few questions about it in the media and it is really hard to say how it actually feels. Gemma and Ceri were there and now I'm with them at Liverpool too. Being away with them was amazing. It was just a really proud moment for us all, being from Wales. Representing your country at any level is incredible but on that kind of stage, it was amazing.
Ceri and Gemma, as you say, are now your clubmates too. I'm sure you must have spoken to them extensively before making the move to Liverpool…
I had a few conversations with them and they said how much they love it here and how incredible the staff and the team are. I've had a look around the facilities and it is amazing. You kind of get that friendly feel and as soon as I walked in here I was like, 'Oh yeah, now I get what they meant and how nice everyone is.' The atmosphere and the vibe, it's just been so nice to be around on day one. It has been amazing.
That's so important, isn't it? It's not just what you do on the pitch but also feeling at home off it…
I'm really excited to meet everyone. It already feels like a home from home and everyone has been so nice to me and welcomed me. I've met a few people and a lot of the staff. And to have Gemma and Ceri here as well, it's even nicer.
How much are you looking forward to playing alongside them both day in, day out?
To see them in the changing room every day will be a bit different. We normally only see each other every month. It will be really nice to be around them every day and kind of carry on the connection we already have with Wales. I guess they will show me around Liverpool as well. It's nice to have some familiar faces alongside me.
For those who haven't seen you play, what qualities do you think you can bring to this team?
It's tough – the team is incredible. Again bringing it back to being Welsh, there's a lot of grit and determination and a lot of hard work, so that's something I definitely want to bring. I just want to bring everything I can to the team and always give my all in games and training. That's probably my main one. It's putting myself in and around everything and working hard for the team.
You go from having Palace's eagle on your shirt last season to a Liver bird now – what did it feel like to wear the Liverpool kit for the first time?
It was incredible to put the shirt on. Just to walk around in it today has just been a bit surreal but it's really exciting.
Being from Wales, it's not too far away from Merseyside. So for you to be able to say you are now a Liverpool player must feel pretty special…
It is special and my family are all Liverpool fans as well. My mum as well, so having her here with me has been a surreal feeling and it doesn't feel real at the moment.
What was it like to make that call to your mum to tell her you would be signing for Liverpool?
When I rang her she was a bit upset – she had the holiday blues from Switzerland because she had been away with us! So when I rang her and said there could be the potential to go to Liverpool, she had a few tears. She was super-excited and I haven't stopped hearing about it since. I think she's more excited than me!
Finally, how much are you looking forward to seeing the city and immersing yourself into Liverpool life and embracing a bit of Scouse culture?
I've been up here a few times and I've got a couple of friends up here. I've been in and around the city. There's a few coffee shops I want to go to and Ceri is already making a list for me. I feel like it gives a real community feel and everyone is looking out for everyone and they want you to do well. Everyone is always happy for you and always looking to help you, which I've already felt just by being here today. So, I'm super-excited.