In our latest feature, the versatile midfielder chats about her career so far and reflects on the season…

Ellie Dobson smiles as she walks off the pitch at the Bannister Prentice Stadium. Leeds United Women had just put in a dominant display in their final home encounter of the season, dismantling high-flying Chorley with a 4-1 triumph in Garforth.

“I think it was probably the best we have played all season,” says the versatile midfielder, on the day deployed in the heart of defence.

“It was a really good team performance. We connected a lot of passes together like we know we can do. It was really nice to finish here with a win and it was a great occasion.”

We speak after the 30-year-old took time to pose for photos with young supporters and to sign some shirts. She was quick to heap praise on the club’s ever-growing fanbase who cheer on the team no matter the scoreline.

“We can definitely hear them! They make it so much more enjoyable and give us that push to win. The regular fans who are there in rain, sleet or snow, mean everything to us. Even when you are not at games, you get messages on social media and it is a real morale boost for us.

“Especially the younger ones, when they are asking for your autograph you can tell they love it. They live for it. Also, it is really great that their parents get involved, too, to bring them to the games and watch. I think it is important for raising the profile of women’s football because when they come down and see a good standard, they are ultimately supporting their daughter’s dream which is lovely to see.”

Ellie has been a crucial part of Simon Wood’s side this campaign, equally adept in the midfield engine room as she is in central defence – either in a back-four or a three – owed in part to the high standard the Batley-born player has achieved throughout her career.

Having kicked a ball for the first time when aged six, Dobson was fortunate that her father helped set up a local junior girls’ team – “Bless him,” she chuckles. She would remain there until heading off to study at Northumbria University.

It was on Tyneside where her career really took off, integral in numerous league and cup victories in both football and futsal with her university side, before signing for Sunderland and progressing through their development team. From there, she enjoyed stints with Newcastle United and Middlesbrough.

International recognition came as well, with Dobson being selected to represent the Great Britain Universities team where, in a squad comprising the best studying talent from across the country, she would briefly swap the North East for the Far East.

“We ended up going to Taipei to play in the World University Games,” she proudly recalls. “We did a training camp in Hong Kong for five days or so, then flew over to Taipei to play in that competition. I picked up an injury there, but it was an amazing experience nonetheless.”

The side would go on to finish a more-than-credible ninth place in the tournament, having faced Russia, South Africa, Argentina, Colombia and the Republic of Ireland enroute.

Following a return home, Dobson’s lengthy spell on Teesside with Middlesbrough ended with a move to Brighouse Town followed by a temporary switch back to Newcastle for one season. After that, she joined the Whites last campaign, where she has gone on to make nearly 50 appearances for the club.

In what has been an exciting term for United in the FA WNL Division One North, including a memorable Elland Road victory over York City in front of nearly 5,000 cheering fans, the Whites missed out on the division’s fiercely fought-after single promotion spot, but the midfielder is confident the building blocks have been laid this year to ensure next time round the team can get over the line.

“This season has been a funny one, really. But I think we are a relatively new group that have come together with a lot of new additions. I think sometimes it just takes a bit of time to get the best out of everybody – working together and really getting to know each other to have the best possible team relationship.

“So, I think this season has given us a really good, strong foundation for the next one. Then, we will be looking to really push for the title because with the team and the players we have got, we can definitely win the league. We are more than capable of winning it. It is just a matter of having it all come together so that we can push for it. I am excited to see what we can do.

“That needs to be our target for next season – just pushing for promotion again as much as we can, because the club is so big. With the backing we get, it can go really far. Winning the league next season definitely needs to be the goal and I think it is an attainable one.”

As well as a final FA WNL fixture away against York, Wood’s side still have the chance to finish the campaign on a high by lifting silverware, having reached the West Riding FA County Cup final – a fixture that will be contested next month. It is an occasion Dobson and her teammates are equally confident about and looking forward to…

“I have never played in a County Cup final so it is quite a big one for me,” she adds. “I am really excited at the chance of winning a trophy with Leeds. It will be a good achievement to win it.”

From those early mornings learning her trade with Batley Juniors to the long-haul flights to Taipei to represent her country, the 30-year-old shows that hard work can get players to the top.

After the win against Chorley, those chats with the youngsters queuing patiently after the full-time whistle might just help the next star realise their dreams can become a reality.

Ellie and her teammates round off their FA WNL campaign on Sunday with a trip to face York City Ladies. Read our preview HERE.