Kate Longhurst was delighted to sign off with an impressive team performance as West Ham United Women drew 2-2 against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
The midfielder’s illustrious time with the Club she adores so passionately concluded at the Chigwell Construction Stadium in a thrilling encounter which saw the visitors take the lead through Bethany England.
The Hammers responded superbly though, and Emma Snerle equalized before Kit Graham’s own goal gave Paul Konchesky’s side the lead before the break.
England scored her second after the interval before Longhurst was introduced from the bench with half an hour remaining to make her 130th and final appearance for West Ham United.
Whilst Longhurst was determined to sign off with a victory, the midfielder was delighted with the side’s performance.
“I think the girls did really well,” Longhurst told whufc.com. “I thought we started well and that we were a little bit unlucky to go 1-0 down. As well as Beth England took her goal we didn’t deserve to be behind.
“We responded well and went 2-1 up, and then it’s just another disappointing goal to concede. But we had a lot of chances, and I think we maybe should have had a penalty near the end as well. If you’re going to go out, you want to go out on a good performance, and I think the girls delivered that today”.
Longhurst has been overwhelmed by the messages of support that she has received from fans since the Club announced that the two time Women’s Hammer of the Year would be moving on in the summer.
Prior to Saturday’s game, supporters were given the opportunity to show their love and appreciation for Longhurst’s years of service in Claret and Blue as part of a pre-match presentation.
“It has been overwhelming to be honest,” she reflected. “I didn’t expect as many messages as I have received, and they are pretty much all positive as well. It has been an honour to be here, West Ham are my club, everyone knows that.
“But to get the messages, even just some people saying my kid plays because of you and things like that, means a lot to me. When I started out as a little girl we didn’t have opportunities to come watch women play like we do now, so for me I feel like I’ve left the club in a better position”.
The versatile midfielder is hopeful that she has helped to inspire the next generation.
“It’s huge, it’s a big part of why I play football because when I was a little girl I just enjoyed football and I just wanted an opportunity but I didn’t always have that.
“Now I think the way this club is building, it’s trying to get kids opportunities, it’s trying to build for the next generation and that’s the way women’s football is going and I hope I have played a small part in that”.
Longhurst joined the Hammers from Liverpool in 2018 and helped the side reach the FA Cup final in the team’s first professional season, beating Reading in an unforgettable penalty shoot-out in the semi-final to set up a tie with Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
After a half-decade with West Ham, Longhurst looks back on her time with the Club with an immense sense of pride.
“I think proudness is the overriding emotion, just to get to play in front of people that actually sing my name and make signs for me.
“It’s just an honour to play here and I think helping take the club to an FA Cup final at Wembley was just huge for me as a West Ham fan and as a young girl wanting to play at Wembley. I think that’s probably the highlight of being here”.
