West Ham United women’s team captain Katrina Gorry has spoken of the pride she has to have led the side through a season that will stay with her for the rest of her life.
The Hammers approach their penultimate game of the campaign, a home fixture against Aston Villa in the Barclays Women’s Super League on Sunday, looking to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to six matches after their biggest-ever WSL win last weekend - a 7-1 drubbing of hosting Crystal Palace.
Australia international Gorry, who made the move to east London in January 2024, was appointed Club captain at the beginning of the campaign and has led her team in every league match this term, creating a plethora of memorable moments.
While the start of the season drew mountains to overcome as Rehanne Skinner’s side spent the first months of the campaign gelling together, Gorry is immensely proud of the position her side is in now, and how they kept believing in their own ability.
She said: “I think as a team we always knew we were going to grow into the season. We knew that it wasn't always going to be smooth sailing at the start but we've created a great culture in the team and a winning mentality.
“We’ve shown how strong we are as a squad. It's taken every player to get the results that we've had to be unbeaten in the last five games. I think that's something that we should be really proud of and something that we want to keep building on.
“This season, for me, has definitely been a special one, a full season at the Club and being captain of such a special group. It's definitely a season that I'll hold close to my heart for the rest of my life.
"It's been such an enjoyable season. To see the group go from strength to strength and perform like they have throughout the season is something that I'm so proud of, and to captain a group like this is such an honour.
“Something we talk about in the dressing room quite often is our winning mentality and the belief that we have in the whole squad, and also the things that the Club has done to help us become a successful team.”
Sunday’s clash against Villa brings the curtain down on a successful term at Chigwell Construction Stadium. Having accrued the most points and most wins at home in a single WSL season in the Club's seven-year history in the competition, only two teams have escaped Dagenham with three points.
And the women’s team are determined to keep riding the crest of that wave in east London as they conclude their home 2024/25 campaign against Natalia Arroyo’s ninth-place side.
“I think our form at home has been a huge credit to the fans,” Gorry continued.
“They've made it tough for the opponents to come to Dagenham and for us to show up for them has been something we've always been passionate about. I think the type of football we play draws more and more people in to come and watch us.
“Our last game at home is definitely a special one in a way that we can give back to the fans and say thank you for supporting us, not just at home but our away games as well.
“It's a huge credit to them because our home form has been something that we'll look back on, and something that we'll obviously want to keep on improving towards the start of next season. They always show up, they're always loud and they push us through those final minutes.
“I hope they’ve enjoyed the season. I hope it's been a special one for them, because it has for us as players. I know that a lot of clubs have definitely hated to come to our home pitch knowing the damage that we do on the field, but also the environment and atmosphere that we have off the field.”
