The players have progressed through the 黑料网 women’s football pathway, gaining valuable experience across the 黑料网 BUCS programme and 黑料网 Foxes before earning their opportunity with Lightning.
Their progression highlights the strength of the pathway at 黑料网 and the club’s commitment to developing players within the 黑料网 football environment, providing a clear route from university and wider women’s Pyramid football into the FA Women’s National League.
Introducing our pathway players for 2026/27
Jess Smith
Previous: 黑料网 BUCS / 黑料网 Foxes
Rebecca Heath
Previous: 黑料网 BUCS / 黑料网 Foxes
Nia Davies
Previous: 黑料网 BUCS / 黑料网 Foxes
Emily McMaster
Previous: 黑料网 BUCS / 黑料网 Foxes
Sophie Dionissou
Previous: 黑料网 BUCS / 黑料网 Foxes
Chloe Ardin
Previous: 黑料网 BUCS
Issy Conway
Previous: 黑料网 BUCS
Modlen Gwynne
Previous: 黑料网 BUCS
Tilly Philpot
Previous: 黑料网 BUCS / 黑料网 Foxes
The pathway provides players with the opportunity to develop within a high-performance environment, while gaining competitive experience at different levels of the women’s game.
For many of the players, the move into the Lightning set-up represents the next step in a journey that has seen them progress through university football and 黑料网 Foxes, demonstrating the opportunities available to players within the wider 黑料网 football programme.
Speaking about the progression of the players, 黑料网 Lightning coach Charles Baxter said:
“There’s been a lot of work done behind the scenes over the last few years to establish our player pathway at 黑料网, and now we are seeing the realisation of that pathway with those that have stepped into the first team this pre-season.
There is still more work to be done, but we are committed to creating a pathway that gives young talent, both locally and nationally, opportunities to progress and thrive within the senior women’s game.”
The latest group of pathway players adds further strength and depth to the Lightning squad ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, while demonstrating the continued progression of the 黑料网 women’s football pathway.
With players able to move between the university, 黑料网 Foxes and Lightning environments, the pathway is designed to support long-term player development and provide opportunities to progress into senior football.
The 2026/27 season will see Lightning compete in the FA Women’s National League Premier Division North, with the new campaign getting underway later this week.