New West Ham United women’s signing Kate Longhurst cannot hide her delight at signing for the club she was ‘obsessed with’ as a child.
Midfielder Longhurst became the latest new signing to join the Irons on Thursday, moving to the Hammers from Liverpool after five years on Merseyside.
Having been raised in Witham in Essex, the 29-year-old grew up a huge West Ham supporter and she cannot wait to pull on the Claret and Blue shirt for the first time as a player.
Once you’re a West Ham fan, it’s different to being at any other club
Kate Longhurst
“I’m a massive West Ham fan,” Longhurst told West Ham TV. “I would go as far as to say I’m obsessed.
“Ever since I can remember I have been obsessed with West Ham. I’ve been a season-ticket holder for as long as I can remember, and even when I was in Liverpool I would try to come back for as many games as possible.
“Once you’re a West Ham fan, it’s different to being at any other club. Once you’re in it, you realise it’s more than just winning or losing games. It’s the environment. It’s having players who you’re proud of, who are working hard for the shirt. Hopefully I can replicate that for the women’s team.”
A two-time WSL winner, Longhurst enjoyed spells with Chelsea and Liverpool before joining West Ham, and the midfielder is excited by the challenge moving to the club will present.
Longhurst sees a lot of similarities between the Irons and the Reds from when she first joined them in 2013, and the new signing hopes she can help bring a similar level of success to West Ham.
“I loved my time with Liverpool but I think it was time for a change. In terms of West Ham, this is my club, so I was always interested in the opportunity of coming here.
“You just have to look at the signings that have been made, which are really positive. There are a lot of players here I played with when I was younger, or have played against in the league.
“There’s also fresh people and I love a fresh challenge. I love starting something, similar to Liverpool, we started as a full-time team and, although we didn’t really know where it would take us, we achieved great things there. Hopefully that can be matched here as well.”
Head coach Matt Beard has signed Longhurst for the third time, having worked with her previously at Chelsea and Liverpool.
The midfielder is happy to play under Beard again and believes their mentalities are a perfect mesh; one that will hopefully prove prosperous for the Irons.
“I’ve worked with Matt previously, so I know what he can offer as a coach and how he likes to bring teams together. I know that he’s a winner and, ultimately, I’m a winner as well.
“I spoke to him fairly early on in terms of his visions for the club and how they would be moving forward, saying about how lucky we are to train at the main training ground, and having these good facilities.
“He’s building a young team that also has experience as well. I think there’s a good balance in the team, and that was really important for me in terms of the vision and for where the team wants to end up. It just seemed the perfect fit.”
*Season Tickets for West Ham United's first season in the Women’s Super League are now on sale, starting from just £15!
Come and enjoy the top tier of the women's game at Rush Green with the Hammers this season. Pick up your Season Ticket from the link here!
