Drew Greene scored in Leeds United Women’s demolition of York City Ladies at Elland Road. Speaking post-match, she couldn’t quite find the words…
“It doesn’t really feel real, to be honest,” explains Leeds United Women star Drew Greene, a smile beaming across her face. “It feels like a dream!”
The versatile forward had just scored the second goal in the Whites’ 3-0 victory over York City Ladies, backed by nearly 5,000 supporters inside Elland Road.
She looks frozen as she makes her way down the tunnel, having taken the time to chat with fans, sign shirts and take photos despite the weather taking a torrential turn for the worst.
Simon Wood’s side got off to the perfect start with an early Amy Woodruff goal putting them into the lead, before Greene extended the advantage before the half-hour mark.
There looked to be little, if anything, on when she controlled the ball nearly back on the halfway line and under pressure from a red shirt.
Yet with a skilful turn and blistering burst of speed, the 28-year-old raced clear, weaving in and out of challenges as she darted into the area.
With an on-rushing keeper to beat, Drew kept her composure to confidently slot into the bottom corner, wheeling away in celebration in front of the jubilant crowd watching on.
“I remember just turning and dribbling forward. Sian [Gibrill-Keating] made a really good run which took the other centre-half away from me and then the gap just opened up, so I just thought I will keep running and going.
“It was probably the best experience of my footballing career, to be fair. I have obviously scored goals in the past, but scoring a goal in front of nearly 5,000 Leeds fans, it was just a different feeling.”
With United two goals to the good and searching for a third to put the tie to bed, those watching on could be forgiven for thinking they were seeing an earlier replay when Darcie Greene, Drew’s identical twin, surged forward from deep, driving into the heart of the visitors’ territory and found the back of the net.
“It means a lot,” she continues. “Obviously, I have played together with Darcie since I was little, so being able to play at Elland Road alongside her and then obviously both of us getting a goal while our mum and dad were in the crowd, and family and friends there as well, made it an amazing experience.”
The Greenes, together as a duo, spoke post-match to the LUTV cameras about the game. “They interviewed each other, they were finishing each other’s sentences like it was a normal conversation!” Tom Hill, the person meant to be asking the questions, laughed afterwards.
Having that understanding with her sister isn’t, however, limited to matters off the field. It can be crucial on the pitch in the Whites’ push for promotion this campaign.
“We have played together for that long, we know how each other play, and we are quite similar in what we do. We both like to dribble, get forward and use our pace. If I play on the wing and she plays behind me, we link up well because we just know what we want to do in our game.”
It was together, along with their two older brothers, that Drew and Darcie’s footballing journey began, initially playing for hours on end on the field in front of their house, before signing for a boys’ team in their native Barnsley and then later making the switch to a girls’ side in Doncaster.
It wasn’t just a football-mad household, however, and sporting loyalties were divided. Drew’s father and his uncle together ran a boxing gym nearby, with the winger briefly trading the pitch for the ring. Did the time with the gloves on help your physicality and discipline, we bravely ask?
“Yes, maybe!” she chuckles. “I think we did it because my dad was a coach but we really enjoyed it. There are a lot of things we learnt which you need, but obviously they are totally different sports.”
After representing childhood club Barnsley, Greene signed for Doncaster Rovers Belles and then Brighouse Town, now re-branded as Halifax Women.
It was with the Calderdale outfit where Drew enjoyed her strongest season to date, being crowned the 2021/22 FA Women’s National League Player of the Year – in the tier above where she currently plies her trade with Leeds United.
Handed the number 11 shirt when she linked up with Wood’s side at the start of this campaign, the winger made the switch from Halifax along with teammates Shauna Legge and Ellie White and was no stranger to several players in the squad, having previously played alongside Woodruff and Kath Smith, among others.
“Since joining Leeds, I have had to miss a few games due to slight injuries so I don’t feel like I have got to my best potential. But in the past two games, I have felt a bit more confident. I scored against Chorley and then scored at Elland Road so hopefully that continues. I am always just looking to improve and better my performances.”
Training at Thorp Arch’s state-of-the-art facilities, recruitment geared towards helping a hungry squad realise their lofty ambitions and a dedicated coaching team behind-the-scenes: the draw of Leeds United was something she couldn’t turn down.
“The professionalism about the club is just at a different level,” Greene admits, her goal just hours before in front of over 4,800 people attests to that.
“It is not one that I have ever experienced. Even though I have dropped down a league, it feels like I have gone up a league in how the club wants to support you as players. The match at Elland Road is one of the best days of my career.”
As well as balancing full-time careers, Drew and her teammates are part of the current crop of footballers inspiring the next generations, as the women’s game continues to progress.
A fantastic core group of supporters turn up at Garforth for every home match but showcase fixtures like the York clash is crucial for the Whites’ ever-expanding fanbase, Greene believes.
“It is just really good for our sport. It shows how connected the men’s and women’s teams are and how much everyone is willing to support us. We showed the fans what we are capable of. To attract more people to come watch us on a weekly basis will be massive and hopefully help us finish where we want to finish at the end of the season.”
Greene, shivering all the way down the tunnel at Elland Road, had withstood the elements to meet hundreds of young supporters post-match.
An emphatic win, signing shirts and smiling for photos: afternoons like that for Drew and co don’t get much better for inspiring the next generation.
Leeds United Women continue their FA WNL campaign with a trip to face Norton & Stockton Ancients this Sunday. Read our preview HERE.
