Wolves Women captain Anna Morphet is determined to lead Wolves over the line to WSL2 promotion this season after the club has come agonisingly close in recent years.
The skipper put pen-to-paper on an extended contract this summer after becoming the first part-time women’s player in Wolves’ history 12 months ago, and with even more of Dan McNamara’s squad becoming part-time ahead of the 2025/26 FAWNL campaign, Morphet feels the team is in the perfect spot to finally achieve that elusive spot in the second tier.
On extending her contract with Wolves
“I’m really happy. People know the kind of summer that we had, and it was a difficult one because we had to be quite patient in seeing what would happen, but it's really good to see a lot of positive outcomes.
“The intent from the club moving towards as close as professional model as we can be at this time and the backing going forward means we’re all really excited and really looking forward to the season.
“As a group, we’ve always been pretty close, we’re good people and we support each other through tough times. It was good that we had a break because everyone needs time to think and reset, so for me as captain, I’m just making sure that once we get back in, we’re more focused and happier, and then hopefully we can kick start a really good pre-season.”
On an ambitious women’s group
“It’s all really positive at the moment and shows the club’s ambition from an outward perspective. The fact we’re getting players attracted to the club and excited by what the club are doing speaks volumes.
“We know the club is looking to go forward in a progressive manner and be sustainable long term, which is really important, so signing new and exciting players, like Amy Sims, is only going to improve us as a squad.
“It will definitely help to squad to have more players able to commit in more time, absolutely. I said before the importance of that core group being close and tight-knit and then having as many people we can add to more time on the grass together will only help us improve as a team. It’s positive getting more players signed onto part-time contracts, and it’s another stepping stone in the right direction.”
On more players signing contracts this summer
“It’s good to see KJ extending hers and the likes of AJ and Robbo coming out and signing new contracts as well, so we’re going in the right direction, which is really exciting to see.
“It’s massive as they’re both vital players on and off the pitch. I messaged them afterwards because I’m happy for both of them as they work hard, they’re great people and really talented footballers.
“For them to sign contracts and commit to Wolves for another year is exciting, and only strengthens the squad again, particularly after they AJ had a great season last year and Robbo has been here for a few years now, so we’re keeping that core group together.”
On the benefits of being part-time
“Each year we’ve progressed a little bit more. Last season I wanted to commit more of my time to football and having the part-time contract was a big step towards making that commitment for myself and being able to put more time into the football and I’ve been able to enjoy a bit more balance.
“It was also a really proud moment for me to do that, especially alongside KJ and Tammi, who are both close mates of mine, so to be the first contracted women’s player at Wolves was certainly a really proud moment.
“Whilst there was a small increase in terms of daytime training on a Friday, contact times were pretty much the same for me, but it was all about the little 1% increases, like the time for recovery, the time to make sure nutrition is better and you’re looking after yourself a bit more.
“Before that – like many of us in the team might – you struggle to do those things when you’re working full-time and I know I certainly didn’t have that balance right between work, football and my personal life, so it’s certainly helped me get better a balance there.”
On aims for this season
“Promotion. That’s it. I know Burnley have come out about going full-time and obviously that’s a positive for tier three football, to see clubs committing in that kind of way, but we’ve got a fantastic squad.
“We were only three points off Forest last season with the finances they had, so it only shows how good of a squad we have, and with improvements to the infrastructure and support for the women’s team, and improvements in the squad – although our squad is absolutely brilliant as it is – we’ve got to go into the season with high goals, otherwise there’s no point.
“Dreaming is for free, so we might as well give it everything, especially with the extra promotion spot, it’s what we can aim to do, and we will all stick together and try to achieve it.”
