“I didn’t think I’d be where I am now at the start of this year. I wouldn’t ever have thought about anything like this.”
It’s fair to say 2023 has been quite the whirlwind for goalkeeper Elen Valentine. Rewinding back to the start of the year, and Valentine found herself midway through the Genero Adran Premier season with Aberystwyth Town, who narrowly missed out on a place in the top four.
“It was hard because we targeted the top four at the start of the season,” she says. “In the first half there was a lot of gelling, and it was a bit of a transitional period for us, with players coming and going.
“We had a lot of youngsters too, but when we lost Elin Jones, that was massive for us; that was difficult. But in the second half, we proved why we deserved to have been in the top four.”
The keeper was pivotal in the Seasiders’ campaign, her first with the club. Valentine set new boundaries at Park Avenue, as she became the club’s first female scholar.
The opportunity to be a scholar in itself was too good to turn down, but a move to West Wales was also a chance for her to rediscover her love for the game.
“I know Emily Thomas and I was at Birmingham City at the time going through a difficult period playing football; I just wasn’t enjoying it.
“I went to see Em on holiday, and she told me one day, you should come to training. It was pre-season so I thought I could do with training, so I went down, met Gavin Allen and he told me more about the project and the university.
“I was looking at moving from Birmingham anyway, but as soon as the offer and possibility of going to Aber came up, I stopped looking at everywhere else.”
Valentine’s season was nothing short of spectacular, as she kept vital clean sheets and played a starring role in many games. As a result, she broke into the Wales U19 setup.
With good performances and international call-ups, interest began to swirl around Valentine, with big clubs demanding her services.
The victors in the end were Newcastle United, and it’s fair to say the goalkeeper jumped at the chance to head to the North-East.
“It was massive when their offer came in, because Newcastle is a massive club and with what they’re doing on the women’s side, it was almost a no-brainer for me.
“Not only are they at a really good standard, but they also offer me a bit of stability. Financially, they’re not going to be in a position where other female clubs could be, and that means no matter what, I’ve always got that level of reassurance.
“I’ve got two years left at university as well, and moving here means I can knuckle down and crack on.”
Since joining the Toon Army, Valentine hasn’t been short of minutes, appearing for the development side, as well as playing for her university team.
A standout moment during her short time at St. James’ Park so far has been Newcastle’s run in the FA Cup. Now, in the third round, they have been drawn against Manchester United.
The tie of course gives Valentine a chance to come up against fellow Welsh shot stopper Safia Middleton-Patel, and the Lionesses’ Mary Earps.
“We were absolutely buzzing watching that draw,” Valentine says. “I don’t think we stopped running around the room for about ten minutes.
“Getting that opportunity for a team like Newcastle who are wanting to be where United are is a chance for us to see where we’re at and see what we can do against a team in the WSL. I think it’ll be a tighter game than most people think.”
You only need a brief chat with Valentine to understand and see just how much she is enjoying life in Newcastle. Yet, there is still a connection within her to Aberystwyth, a town where she has so many fond memories.
“I’m still in touch with some of the girls like Kelly Thomas and Lucie Gwilt. I’m hoping to get to watch them away to Wrexham, that’s the most likely one that I’ll be able to get to.
“I always look out for their results, and its class what they’re doing this season. Gav has given the youngsters a chance, which is what he’s been wanting to do for a long time, and they’re repaying him and proving him right.
“There’s a lot of players in that team that, when I was there thought that this season, they could make it their own, and they have. I’m so proud of them all. They’ve got a lot of talent for such a little place and they’re keeping up with the big teams.
“I just feel like an adopted Aber local. I said when I left that, no matter what, I’ll always be green, and that still remains. I miss them a lot and hopefully I’ll get back down there at some point.”
This has only been a brief synopsis of the manic year Valentine has gone through, but there’s no doubting she’s gone from strength to strength.
Without Aberystwyth and the Genero Adran Premier, the keeper certainly wouldn’t be where she is now, and she’s thankful to have been a part of something rather special.
“The Adran Premier has been a lifesaver for me. Coming into it, I had been low in confidence and struggling so much with football.
“Birmingham was good, but I had bad experiences there too, but the Adran Prem gave me a platform where I could just express myself and enjoy my football. As a young player, no matter where you are, all you need is minutes, and the league is a great place to get that game time.
“You see with players like Liv [Francis], Phoebie [Poole], Lily [Billingham], just how much of a springboard it actually is, and the growing exposure the league is getting, it really does get your name out there.
“It’s important that people don’t see it as somewhere like the WSL, but instead, a place where you can progress yourself. The standard and level of players in the league are really good, and it’s only going to get better.”
