Leeds United Women have welcomed their third summer signing, as experienced and versatile midfielder Sarah Danby has joined the squad.

The 30-year-old has top level experience from her previous playing days and she now wants to help her new side to establish themselves at a higher level, by showing hard work and the right attitude.

Sarah, welcome to Leeds United! Can you tell us about how you began your journey in football?

“When I was growing up, girls football wasn’t as it is now. I played for a boys team at first but then got too old to play with them so I found a local girls team. Eventually, I started playing in what was known as the ‘Centre of Excellence’ back then, for Sunderland. It’s what we would call the ‘Regional Talent Club (RTC)' nowadays.

“I joined Sunderland when I was 15. When I first signed we were in the top league at the time and you were allowed to play at 15 in those days, so it was great for me. It was a massive learning curve because I was kid thrown in at the deep end, but it was the best thing for me, it was adult football and I had to grow up in terms of my game. I was around good players and playing against some of the best in the country, so it really helped me.

“Now joining Leeds, I am so happy to be here. I met with Dan [O’Hearne] prior to signing and he didn’t have to say much to me, the club just sells itself really. I already know a few of the girls here which makes it easier to find my feet, so this is the right place for me.”

You come with great experience having played in the top league, along with an FA Cup final appearance. Just how proud are you of that, was it something you and your family had dreamed of?

“Looking back, the Sunderland team we had at that time was phenomenal. We were in the league below Arsenal in the year we got to the final, so by that time we were massive underdogs and we had overachieved. To play in an FA Cup final is something not many people can say they have done, so it is definitely an achievement I am really proud of and have great memories from it.

“I always wanted to play football. My dad is football mad, my uncle, my cousins, everyone! I think I got it from them, it has always been within the family, I just lived around it and embraced it. I used to play in the street with the lads around my area, really old school but it just grew from there!

“I now have nieces and nephews, they are showing an interest so I am trying to make them my prodigies! Growing up, my dad in particular used to come to all my games. My family are all now based in the North East, so it has been a bit more difficult over recent years. But now I’ve moved to Leeds and the games are at Tadcaster, I think they will be able to get down to watch a few more now.”

So your family were a big inspiration for you, but on the pitch, who did you want to be like when you were younger?

“When I was a kid, Kelly Smith was the big one for me. She was one of the best players when I was growing up. I am 30 now so I probably don’t look at anyone as inspiration now, but growing up when I was younger, certainly Kelly Smith was the one.

“From when I was at Sunderland, there are loads who are still at the top level now. I played with the likes of Jordan Nobbs, Lucy Bronze and Steph Houghton. You could see that they were the ones who would go on to make it at the very top and do really well for themselves. I’ve got other good friends such was Rachel Furness who plays for Northern Ireland, it’s nice to keep in touch with them all to see how they are getting on."



The game is progressing so much and the interest is growing day by day. Just how pleased are you to see that?

“When I was growing up, I never thought it would hit the levels it is at now. I think it’s exciting for kids that are coming through today, to realise that his can be their job, they can make a true career in playing football. I didn’t think that would ever be a thing in my era, so it’s amazing to see how much the game has developed in such a short space of time and the standard is getting better all the time.

“The girls who are at that top level now have made huge sacrifices to get there, to play for England and to continue growing the sport. It’s all paying off for them now, they deserve massive credit and have worked so hard for it."

So why is Leeds United Women the right place for you at this point in your career?

“I was at Leeds many years ago when it was a very good standard, it’s always been a big club here and maybe slightly similar to Sunderland, the club lost its way a little bit. Now the men’s team are doing amazingly and the support from the club to the women’s team has been fantastic, the set-up for the women is unrivalled at this level, so to be able to be a part of that is amazing. Just looking at it, we’re not naive enough to think we’re just going to get promoted like that, but this could be the start of something really good for the women at Leeds United.

“I have already started training with the girls and you can see the effort everyone puts in, everyone wants to work hard and enjoy it, then hopefully with the right attitude we can achieve something. We also have a duty to the younger players, I definitely take that on board as one of the older players. I’ve got some good experience and spent half my life playing at a good level so I want to be able to guide and support anyone I can both on and off the pitch.”

As a player, what can we expect to see from you when the games get underway?

“I tend to get put on the wing because I am left-footed, I can definitely do a job there but I probably think of myself more as a central midfielder. I like to see as much of the ball as possible and get on it, whilst being a bit of a leader when I can be in the middle. I want to score goals, assist, and just help to drive the team forward to win as many games as we can.”