Megan Finnigan is ready to make 2017 her year for both Club and country.
Having broken through for Everton Ladies and made the step up into the senior side in 2016, she has recognised that the next 12 months are pivotal in her blossoming career, but is determined to stamp her mark on the team.
So far this season, her versatility has helped. An ever-present, Finnigan has played the majority of her football in a holding-midfield role, although when defender Georgia Brougham was missing for the WSL Spring Series trip to Sheffield FC, she dropped back to partner Gabby George at centre-back.
That position is not foreign to the 18-year-old. Finnigan is a mainstay at the back for England Under-19s, having graduated through the age groups after making her international bow at Under-16 level.
And with the young Lionesses looking to secure a place at the European Championships in Northern Ireland in August, it is a crucial campaign for the youngster.
But she is ready for the challenge. “It definitely is a big season for me,” she admits. “Last year, I got quite a bit of game time but in 2017 I am really looking to kick on. I want to really establish myself in the side, have a good Spring Series and then build on that when the season starts properly in September.
“I am young but I think it is important to just focus on myself and my development. I set the aim at the beginning of the year that I was going to make this my year. It is an important one so I want to keep as fit as possible.
“I have to accept that there will be ups and downs. You look at last season and it wasn’t the smoothest one for us and we didn’t achieve what we set out to do. But the mistakes that you make and the low points you experience just make you a better player. When there are setbacks, you have to accept them, deal with them and learn from them.”
Finnigan speaks from experience. Back in October, Everton hosted Bristol Women in a must-win game if they were to achieve promotion. With the score at 1-1, her under-hit back pass was seized upon, it led to a goal and the Toffees went on to lose 3-2, dashing all hopes of going up.
“Certainly one of the lowest moments of my career so far was that Bristol game at the end of last season,” she said. “I came in and played at centre-back and made a mistake that cost us a goal. It is hard to get over and sometimes you feel that weight on your shoulders when you are playing in a defensive position. But it is just something that comes with playing and it is a team game.
“But it was good to have one last game of the season to help build up to because it meant I couldn’t really dwell on it. I was then away on international duty so I wouldn’t have had time to anyway! You have to learn from experiences like that, I am still only young and I can’t let moments like that define my career. There are going to be plenty more!”
Finnigan has had plenty of highs to balance the lows. Her international career continues to go from strength to strength and she now finds herself one of the first names on the England Under-19s’ teamsheet. Should the young Lionesses get through the final round of their qualification campaign later this month – they play Czech Republic, Denmark and Turkey – then they will be one of the favourites when they head to Northern Ireland for the Euros later this year.
“In October last year we went over to Northern Ireland to compete in the International Cup. We played against some really strong teams like the USA and France. This age group is a really exciting one because there are so many talented players in it. We know what our expectations are and chief among those is the ambition to go on and win the European Championships.
“With England, I have steadily climbed the age groups after making my debut with the Under-16s. I have managed to play regularly throughout the Under-17s and now the Under-19s. Looking at the squad, I am probably one of the most experienced players in that group. I have managed to establish myself in that team and I hope to carry that on into what it is a big season for Everton.”
