Livingston Women’s full-back Sharon Hughes-Lee will soak in every minute of Sunday’s trophy celebrations – because it’s a moment she never thought she would get to experience.
The Lionesses will be presented with the SWF Championship trophy at the end of their final fixture on Sunday at home to Rossvale (3pm kick-off).
Paul Jaconelli’s side will be plying their trade in the second tier SWPL2 next season – a league Hughes-Lee won with Hearts in 2019. However, a nasty knee injury led to her being told to give up the game and she joined Livingston initially as a fitness coach.
Yet three years later she’s proven to be an integral part of the team and will get her hands on the trophy on Sunday.
Speaking to the West Lothian Courier, she said: “I can’t wait. It’s been a brilliant season and lifting the trophy at home is going to be a special moment.
“I won the SWPL2 with Hearts and winning leagues and getting to lift trophies is never something you take for granted. When I was at Hearts I did my knee in and actually retired because I was told not to play football again.
“I joined Livi as the fitness coach and Paul pushed me on and told me I’d be back playing as soon as I properly recovered from my operation and I’ve helped them win the league.”
She added: “There’s a really special bond within this team and I think that’s shown with the amount of times we’ve dug deep and got late goals this season. We all want to fight for each other and that can take you a long way.
“SWPL2 is quicker, faster and with better teams and a higher standard of football but I think we’ve got a very strong group and we’ll give it a right good go next year.
“It’s a strong and competitive league and, to be honest, I never thought I’d get the chance to play in that league again. It’s not going to be a walk in the park and it might be a bit of an eye-opener for some who maybe haven’t played that level before just how good it is, but as a club and as a group of players we can go into it with confidence.”
The veteran isn’t quite ready to say she’ll pull the boots back on for another campaign with the Lionesses but admits she’s ‘leaning’ towards giving the game one more year.
She said: “I want to enjoy Sunday and then I’ve got a week off in Benidorm. I’ll recharge my batteries and take it from there. After that I can properly sit down with my family and chat to them about it all. My husband keeps telling me to play for as long as I can but it’s a huge commitment for me and my family.
“I’ve got two kids and my wee girl plays football and I want to spend as much time as possible watching and supporting her.
“If I’m honest, I’m swaying towards wanting to play one more year but I’ve still to properly make my mind up. I thought I’d have my career taken away from me after the injury so why not keep playing?”
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