Here is your latest feature on some of the ladies squad – this time captain fantastic Ellie.

Meet The Squad – Ellie Whittaker.

After playing at school, Ellie joined Blackpool FC Girls and Ladies at the age of 14, progressing through from the under 15s to captaining the reserve team at the age of 17. At 18, she moved to study in York and joined the University of York Women’s Football Club. In her three years of playing for the club, the team secured two promotions and finished runners up in the Northern Cup. In addition, Ellie was first team captain and then Club President, where she set up a second team, allowing more girls to play. By doing so, she gave Chris his first paid job in football as UYWAFC’s second team coach!

In 2013, Ellie was introduced to futsal as Junior Roberti set up the University of York Futsal Club’s women’s team. She captained the team in its first season as they competed in BUCS, before being part of the team who secured promotion to the top division of BUCS futsal in her final year at the University of York. After moving to Liverpool to pursue postgraduate studies, Ellie played for Liverpool Futsal Club, Liverbird Futsal Club and Tranmere Rovers, all of whom competed in the National Futsal League and FA Futsal Cup. Since moving back to York in 2019 to take up a job in Public Health 4 months before a pandemic, Ellie joined Bootham Futsal Club and became Club Captain.

As well as playing, Ellie has coached football and from 2015-16 had a national role on BUCS’ Student Management Group, where she supported the development of football and futsal within higher education, particularly within the women’s game.

Coach Chris said about Ellie, ‘As soon as Suzy and I were approached by the FA about forming a ladies team, I immediately wanted to get Ellie on board. I have known Ellie for several years and her professionalism and attitude have always impressed me, she was a natural choice for club captain. When she is able, she comes down and supports the younger members of the club and her insight and knowleadge of the game are invaluable to me as a coach. She is the only member of the squad to play at the highest level of futsal in England, so her game craft is invaluable to this inexperienced squad. She really is a natural leader and someone I couldn’t do without in the club!’