Ashleigh Neville wins April FAWC Player of the Month

We’ve all been so focused on the men’s team (HEY EVERYONE WE’RE IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL) that we skipped right over an important news story that came out yesterday involving Tottenham Hotspur Ladies Women. It’s important that we not do that — as good a story as the men have been, the Women are having an absolutely incredible season in their own right, having clinched promotion to the top-flight Women’s Super League for the first time in club history last week.

They’ve had a number of players recognized by the FA Women’s Championship this season, but yesterday right back Ashleigh Neville was recognized by winning the FAWC Player of the Month for April. It’s the first time a defender has won the monthly award this season.

Neville has been a rock in Spurs’ back line this season, and scored a hugely important brace in the club’s recent 3-2 win at Charlton Athletic, that included the winning goal in the 80th minute. Here’s the video of her winning header.

Neville was player of the season for Spurs in 2017-18, and though it’s hard to see her scooping that award when Rianna Dean is tied for the league lead in goals scored heading into the final match of the season, you can make a strong case that few people in the team have been as important as Ashleigh this season.

As Spurs prepare for life next season in the WSL, there will likely be a lot of changes to the club’s personnel, but I find it unfathomable to contemplate next season’s team not including Ashleigh Neville.