Stephens and Dickson on Penning First Contracts
After confirming their status in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division on the final day of the season last year, Argyle looked to the upcoming season and rewarded Katie Dickson and Ella Stephens with their first official contracts with the club.
Dickson enters her fourth season in green, featuring heavily in her previous three years at the club. The former Northern Ireland youth international has scored four times in her 79 appearances at Argyle and could be in line, next season, to join Imy Crawford and Giota Papaioannou as current squad members featuring 100 times for the Pilgrims.
Stephens signed her deal recently, on her 18th birthday, after her debut season, having previously played for Torquay United. Her versatility and skill helped her to be used as a strong utility player all over the pitch, ending with Ella being voted as the Young Player of the Season.
When speaking to Argyle TV about signing their first contracts at Home Park, both could not contain their happiness about being rewarded with contracts and the exciting future at the Theatre of Greens.
Dickson said: “I'm really happy. This has definitely been a home for me for the past three years. I moved here straight from school and it wasn't exactly the easiest of moves. I didn't really want to move away from home, but that was just the circumstances and had to happen at the time. To come here to a club that made me feel welcome from day one, and now to be signing a contract here, is a really good feeling.
“Once I found out I was offered a contract, in a way it was almost a sense of relief that all the commitment, effort and sacrifice had been worth it. It's nice that the club's making you feel like you're wanted here and that they want you to be part of their plan for the future.
“I think last season we had a lot of good performances, at times, but didn't produce the results that we needed. It’s the games like Billericay Town and AFC Wimbledon at home that we were in control of the game for so long and were so dominant, but weren’t able to see the game out. That's something that we need to nail down this year and make sure that when we're in control in those games, we're able to see it out and get the full three points.
“I’m really excited to work with Marie, but I think to be honest, we're all a bit nervous. I think it's natural when you have a new manager and someone that you've never worked under before. However, from her interviews and when we played Stoke last year, the way she set them up was very professional and they looked really solid. I think everyone's excited to meet her and get going.”
Stephens said: “I’m over the moon with it. It’s something that has been in the talks a little bit and I was relishing the fact that I could stay here for another season and be on a contract. It’s not an opportunity I thought would be falling in my lap at 18 years old, especially with last season being my first season here.
“It’s a great achievement to be on that list. I signed it around my birthday, so it was great to go out and celebrate that. It just feels quite rewarding!
“I think I went into my first season thinking, it’s going to be quite daunting. I wasn't guaranteed game time or minutes, but that's not something I struggled with, and the experience gained was massive. The people I've met and the players I’ve played with have been a great experience and a great year for me as a player.
“With last year being my first season, I didn't have any expectations of winning any awards or anything like that. So, to win Young Player of the Season, and see it was voted by the fans as well, is great because it shows that you've got them on your side and they have seen me as a player.
“It was difficult to feature in many positions, but it was a challenge that I was up to after conversations with the managers and where they thought I would be best in the games. We had a job to do and that was to get points in certain games. The coaches know best and wherever they thought I was right to play is where I would hopefully do my best job.
“We played against Stoke last season and Marie was here at Home Park, and even just the way that she conducted Stoke and how unified, solid and compact they were something that we looked at. I'm excited to get going. With her having a successful playing career as well, it’s great and I’m looking forward to learning some things from her.
“Staying up last season was massive. It's just [a case of] heads down now and continue to work our way up the league table, and see how we can do this season.”
