Katrina Gorry’s love for West Ham United is undeniable. She's found a home in east London.
The Australia international arrived at the Club in January 2024 to embark on her first taste of Barclays Women’s Super League football - and she looked so comfortable in England’s top flight.
She may have only made eight appearances before an injury cut her season short, but that was enough time to make an impact on the Claret and Blue faithful, and manager Rehanne Skinner.
Just eight months after putting pen to paper at West Ham, Gorry was appointed captain of the women’s team - a responsibility she has shouldered from minute one.
The 33-year-old was given a new lease of life with the Hammers and thrived in our record-breaking 2024/25 season, scoring her first goals for the Club in the process.
Her campaign culminated in winning the WSL’s Player Champion of Change award for speaking openly on how she overcame an eating disorder, as well as having IVF to become a parent and how having children helped her rediscover her love for football.
“It’s home for me here,” she said. “Coming back from Australia in the off-season and then coming back, it felt like being home again, which is a really nice feeling.
“The support we have here, not just on the field, but off the field too, the way they (the staff) look after me and my family, I don’t think I've ever felt this sort of love from a football team.
“When I play, I leave everything out there because of how I feel off the field and the belief that the Club has instilled in me. I'm so happy to be here.”
This is Skinner’s third season in charge of the Hammers after she penned a contract extension in April and her captain was delighted to see her extend her stay in east London.
The pair work closely and Skinner knows how to get the best out of her No22.
“There's not many coaches that you really feel you can be yourself [around],” said Gorry.
“They see your strengths, they pull you up on your weaknesses and you can have honest conversations with them to become a better player, to become a better leader. I think having that relationship has made me go to a different strength and to see my weaknesses in a better light.
“It’s great that the Club re-signed her. I think she really showed what she had done with the team last season and being able to have the same coach, the same philosophies and to be pushing for better this season is always nice for the team.”
The Hammers made five signings before the close of the window just under a week ago. Midfielder Anna Csiki arrived on loan from Tottenham Hotspur on deadline, which followed the signings of Sarah Brasero, Ffion Morgan, Yu Endo and Leila Wandeler.
Skinner referenced the squad's dynamic in her press conference last Thursday, insisting there will be more competition for starting spots due to the depth in her side, while also highlighting how important it is to have a mix of experienced heads and young talent in the team.
Gorry reflected the thoughts of her manager, saying: “I think it's great to have that mix. The experienced players help the young ones settle in and make sure they know they always have a voice, because I think every player sees the game differently and if you can add a little bit from everyone, the team can just go from strength to strength.
“It's been so exciting to see the younger players from last year really step up and grow in the position that they're in. All of us come together as a squad, not just on the field, but off the field too.”
The Irons take on Arsenal on Friday night in a second successive London derby to kickstart their 2025/26 WSL campaign. And it was another London derby that was one of Gorry’s highlights of last season.
She said: “I think the end of last season was really enjoyable for us. One moment that stands out is when I had to come off early in the game away at Chelsea. I sat on the sidelines and watched the team come back and draw the game. That just showed where we were as a team and how much belief we had in ourselves, and each other.”
Tickets for Friday night’s game against Arsenal are still on sale. Click HERE to get yours, or call the Ticket Office on 0333 030 1966.
