Alarna Fuller Interview
Guiseley Vixens club captain Alarna Fuller started her career with Leeds United and has gone on to play for Huddersfield Town Ladies, Bradford City Ladies and Guiseley Vixens twice. The central defender is a feared presences in both areas with solid performances in defence and in attack with an excellent goalscoring record.
Fuller, lead the Vixens to promotion as champions last season and she believe’s the club can hold its own in the FA Women’s Premier League (North). Having trained with some of best female players in the country whilst at Leeds United, including England captain Steph Houghton, Jade Moore and Ellen White she is definitely focused on improving the Guiseley Vixens squad alongside manager Glen Preston.
Speaking about his captain Glen Preston said, “I have signed Alarna twice now because she is one of the best professional’s I have ever worked with, she never misses a session, she is a leader on and off the pitch and has a strong winning mentality. Fuller leaves everything on the pitch and if you want to win a league title then you need players with her character, experience and quality.
Alarna Fuller’s skill as a club captain has definitely come to the for in the Vixens last two games as the team have battled to the final whistle to earn a result. Against Stoke City she lead by example scoring with the last kick of the game to earn a draw and the first point of the season.
INTERVIEW
(1) Biggest influence on your football Career & why?
My parents, neither have ever played football but the hours they used to put in, at one point when I was at Leeds United I had football six days a week and they would take me without a murmur. I owe a lot to them, even now they still make it to a lot of the games and wouldn’t miss a final or a semi final no matter where it’s being played.
(2) What is your best football highlight?
Winning the league for the first time with Huddersfield Town was a highlight and one of the great memories of mine. Not so much the celebrations after but just the togetherness as a team and doing it at home on the last game of the season was fantastic.
(3) What is your football lowlight?
Injuries are always a low point, doing my ACL was a struggle because it was my first big injury, when your watching week in week out and wanting to help the team it’s mentally tough. Luckily, I have the type of personality that drives me forward and I think I have really come back a lot stronger.
(4) Where & when did you make you league debut?
I made my league debut for Leeds United, but i cannot remember much about the game as it was many years ago.
(5) How has the Women’s game changed from when you started your career?
It’s a lot more professional than it used to be and it was easier to stand out where as now majority are of a high athletic standard making it a lot more competitive.
(6) Best manager you have played for and why?
I would have to say tactically Glen Preston, I played with him at Huddersfield and only then did I really start to understand positions…half spaces and a rondo, the guy thinks he’s the Pep of women’s football.
(7) The FA Women’s Premier League (North) season has just started, where do you think Guiseley Vixens will finish and what are the goals for the season?
I think realistically the main goal this season is to stay in the Premier League and then look to build on that next season. I would like to think we can kick on from last year and really look towards competing with the top two or three clubs in the league. I think once we have our full squad available we can get a good run going and do well this season.
(8) This is your second spell with Guiseley Vixens what made you come back Nethermoor Park?
I really enjoyed it the first time round but it was a whole different situation, league and personal wise…this time I knew Glen and I knew the girls he was looking to get in and I knew we could do something great.
(9) Best player you have played against and Why?
I used to be at Leeds United, when the likes of steph Houghton, Jade Moore & Ellen White were all playing for the club, so playing against them in training was a nightmare. But in terms of an actual game I would have to say that Manchester City & England midfielder Izzy Christiansen is the best player I have played against.
(10) Best Player you have played with and why?
The best player I have played with is current Birmingham City & England International Ellen White when I was at Leeds United. She was and still is an all-rounder, with some excellent skills such as ball control, pace, great header of a ball, with an excellent shot.
(11) You are club captain at Guiseley what do you think is your best leadership skill and how do you motivate the team?
Generally, I like to think that I am a very outgoing and positive person, which I believe assists me on the pitch to keep the girls and the team going in difficult solutions. We also have a lot of new players, so I believe it’s my job as captain to get them settled into the squad as soon as possible.
(12) In terms of football what are your ambitions for the future?
Personally my main aim now is to lead Guiseley to the top of the league, I really believe in the club, management, owner and players. I see myself here for quite a while, I’d also like to see us win the county cup as last year we lost to Bradford City Ladies, I think as a player you always want to win as much as possible.
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