Under Rhian Wilkinson, plenty of Wales’ youngsters have been able to thrive, none more so than Manchester United’s Olivia Francis, and Manchester City’s Mayzee Davies.
Just after a couple of minutes of talking to them, you realise that these two are joined at the hip. It’s no real surprise considering the success they’ve both had.
Last season they both won the U21 national championship with Manchester United, but since then, their times with the Red Devils have gone in different directions.
For Francis, her good form earned her a spot on United’s preseason training camp at St. George’s Park alongside the likes of Ella Toone, Dominique Janssen, and Safia Middleton-Patel.
“It was a good experience to go to St. George’s Park with the senior team during preseason,” Francis explained. “Last year, I was able to have a few opportunities with the first team, and when the chance arrived to go away with the seniors to preseason, it felt a lot more natural, and I felt a lot more comfortable being in that environment.
“You’re made to feel comfortable straight away by everyone, but the facilities there were amazing, and getting to work closely with the first team was good.”
Davies’ United journey turned out quite differently. Over the summer, United told Davies there was no clear pathway for her at the club, despite her playing a handful of games for the Wales senior side.
That would result in the centre-back swapping the red side of Manchester for the blue one.
“I got to a stage where United and I came to a mutual agreement that there was no clear pathway there for me. I’m at an age where I need to be at a club that I can see a future at, and United wasn’t really the place for me.
“The opportunity came to go to Manchester City, and having had that sniff of first team football with United and Wales, it gave me the drive to go there and wanting to progress further.”
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Liverpool loving
Having had a sniff of first team action at United and Wales, both of these starlets wanted to play regular first team football, and an opportunity came their way in the shape of Liverpool Feds.
Davies was the first to move over to Merseyside, and she explained why Feds appealed to her as a project.
“I needed women’s football experience, and when I was at United, there were a few conversations about where I could go, and Feds really appealed to me.
“While they may not have the resources that other clubs do in our league, it’s also what makes them so special; there’s a real togetherness here. I came for a session, and I loved it, so when I had an option to come this season on a dual signing, I knew this was the place for me.”
A few short weeks later, Francis would join her compatriot.
“I had similar conversations as Maisie about going on a potential dual registration somewhere, and as soon as Liverpool Feds was mentioned, it was a non-negotiable for me really. When I spoke to Maisie about a potential move, she didn’t have a bad word to say about the club.
“We faced Feds when I played for United’s U21s, and having seen what they had, I feel like I could add something to them, and vice versa. The club is very special, there’s a strong bond between everyone, but Maisie was a massive part about me wanting to come here.”
As soon as we started talking about Liverpool Feds, words like special, unique and together were being banded about, and there’s a reason for that.
The Merseyside club are a sole women’s football club and don’t rely on the backing of a male affiliate. There are other clubs in the English system that are similar, like Durham and Gwalia United, but it’s something that is becoming rarer.
What that does, however, to a team is bring around a level of togetherness that is unmatched by other clubs.
“The staff here work tirelessly to make sure us as players have the best facilities and care so that we can reach our potential,” said Francis. “Everyone has each other’s back here and everyone wants to give 100% back to each other.”
Despite having players full of quality in their ranks, life in the third tier can still be difficult.
Clubs like Nottingham Forest and Burnley run at a professional level and have attracted experienced WSL veterans as they bid to break into the Championship.
And yet, Feds are still there and are still battling away. Currently sitting fifth in the Northern part of the National League, they really are proving David can compete with Goliath.
“It is hard to keep up with some clubs, because we train twice a week, but the likes of Nottingham Forest and Burnley are training every day; it’s their job at the end of the day,” Davies commented.
“I know Liv and I keep going back to it, but that togetherness here gets us through a lot. You look at that 6-0 result against Derby County, on paper, a club like ours shouldn’t really be doing that.”
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Cymru chances
A happy club life of course leads to national team chances, and both Davies and Francis are chomping at the bit to keep proving themselves in the senior team.
Davies made her debut away to Kosovo and has made sporadic appearances across the rest of the European qualifying campaign.
That moment in Podujevë still brings a smile to Davies’ face, and she’s determined to make even more memories in the famous red shirt.
“It’s just something that you dream of. I’ve come through the age groups with Wales, and I was only 12 in my first camp, so to finally get on the pitch with the first team was such a proud moment for me, my family, and everyone who has been a part of my journey.
“I remember saying to Rhian after the game ‘thank you’, and I’m so grateful she’s given me that opportunity.”
Francis hasn’t yet made her senior debut, but has praised the welcoming environment at senior level, and said a fellow striker has certainly helped her.
“When you’re young, you’re maybe a bit sceptical about going up to the older players and ask for advice, but for me personally, Kayleigh Green has been brilliant.
“Having someone like her in my position and being able to go and speak to her one-on-one and learn from her is special.
“She’s eager to get you involved too. During last camp, we did extra shooting practice after training, and she explained the position and things like that.”
Davies and Francis are just two of the youngsters who have been handed first team opportunities under Rhian Wilkinson.
While previous managers may not have been willing to hand out chances so freely to the next generation, young players are certainly loving life under the Canadian.
“Rhian has given us younger players a lot of confidence,” Francis concluded. “Ever since that first squad that she named in March, she’s given a lot of young players opportunities, and that’s what we want.
“We’re hungry for that kind of exposure, whether that be minutes in training or being on the bench, because you learn so much from those older players. Rhian is always eager to give feedback, whether that’s on camp face-to-face or after, and she’s very clear on what you need to do.
“As young players, getting that sniff of senior football and the environment around it, you want to be there consistently and prove your point.”
After a summer of uncertainty, Francis and Davies are really finding their feet in women’s football at Liverpool Feds, and more Wales opportunities are surely just around the corner.
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