Denika Connolly’s footballing future in safe hands

Denika Connolly secures a place in Manchester City’s under 14s girls’ team

Goalkeeper Denika Connolly has secured a place in Manchester City under 14s girls’ team even though she supports rivals Manchester United.

Denika, a Year 7 student from Whitworth Community High School, had trials for both teams and was picked for a final trial by both teams.

However, at the second round at City she was awarded a place in the team.

She knew that had she completed a second trial at United it would have resulted in someone else not getting to try for a place, so she stuck with the first offer and signed for City.

The 12-year-old from Whitworth said: “Manchester City also have a women’s football team so I may get a chance to play for them in the future.

“I have been playing football since I was about four or five and I used to play with Whitworth Valley Under 6s alongside the boys. They were never bothered about girls playing and I knew most of them from school.”

At Tonacliffe Primary School, Whitworth, she also played on the school team when they were highly placed in the schools’ league.

She then joined Whitworth Under 12s and secured a place in Rochdale Under 12s then Under 13s teams.

Denika said: “I like being a goalkeeper because you don’t have to run as much, but sometimes you can hurt yourself trying to stop the ball.

“I don’t like it when it comes to half-time and maybe your team is losing 5-0 because you feel guilty, but everyone is still supportive.”

She will begin training in July and is looking forward to playing teams from other big clubs including Liverpool and her beloved Manchester United.