Laura Rafferty eager to motivate at Saints

The Northern Ireland international joins the National League Southern Premier Division side having played at the top level – the Women’s Super League – with Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion and Bristol City.

The club have seen a meteoric rise under Marieanne Spacey-Cale that has lifted them two divisions since her arrival in July 2018 – something Southampton-born Rafferty wants to continue.

Rafferty, 25, told the club website: “I know that the club have an amazing value already together and I’m just excited to get stuck in and get that promotion and keep pushing my hometown forward.

“For us as a club, it’s an exciting new adventure for us all.

“I’ve been in the professional game now for about eight years. I’d like to say that I’ve got a lot of experience. I’ve learnt from some unbelievable players.

“I’ve learnt a lot about myself, which I hope that I can help the girls embrace their strengths, weaknesses and push everyone on. I want to be the motivator of the team.

“I want to be able to just try and bring everyone together.”

At the time Rafferty departed Saints’ academy there was no women’s team, forcing her hand elsewhere.

Since then she has amassed 26 international caps and was integral during underdog Bristol City’s run to the 2020-21 Continental Cup final.

After experience at the top end of the game, Rafferty has no doubts that she wants to take on this new challenge.

Explaining the reasons for her return, she added: “The people first of all. They see you as a person before a player. For me that’s a massive key thing I look at. With my career, it’s so important to be valued.

“The ambition of the club is massive and for me it’s something that I look for – where can we strive forward? Speaking with Marieanne, she’s only got positive forward movements.

“I’m looking forward to embracing that challenge with my new team and really knocking down those barriers and just pushing on now.”