A dream come true for Tahirah

Olivia Jackson talks to 17-year-old midfielder Tahirah Heron, who made her first-team debut in last week’s win over West Ham.

2025-10-01T06:00+01:00

Tahirah Heron made her first-team debut against West Ham United in the WSL. 📸 Kyle Hemsley

Academy player Tahirah Heron made her senior debut in our 4-1 win against West Ham last Sunday and hopes it’s the first of many appearances for the club.

Previously at Arsenal and Chelsea, the 17-year-old feels at home in Brighton and has not looked back since joining the club. The versatile winger is currently playing for the under-19s under the guidance of head coach Dani Bowman, a former Albion skipper.

“She (Dani Bowman) been a captain so she's not only a coach and an ex-player, but she knows how to lead a team. She's played football as well and at a high level, so she understands us a lot,” Tahirah said.

Former Albion captain Danielle Bowman rejoined the club in 2023 and now coaches the women's under-19 squad. 📸 Kyle Hemsley

Tahirah trained with the senior team in pre-season and has been determined since then to be more involved in Dario Vidosic’s squad going forward.

“The intensity is way different and the ball speed as well, everything's quicker. I'd say I'm starting to adapt to it a lot more, but it's very different to playing with the 19s.”

Sitting on the bench against West Ham, watching Albion’s impressive performance in our 4-1 win, Dario told Tahirah that she was about to make her senior debut late in the second half.

“When he called me to come on, I was just so excited and then I had to wait four minutes because the ball didn’t go out of play for ages! So my nerves were starting to build up but in a positive way.

“Then when they made the announcement and they put up the numbers on the subs’ board, I was ready to get on the pitch and play. I was excited because I've been on the bench three times before and I wasn't nervous at all. I really enjoyed the whole experience.”

Tahirah’s family were in attendance when she made it onto the pitch for the first time at the Broadfield Stadium, making the moment even more special.

“My grandad stopped working one day a week to come to all my games so now he can come to see me play. He makes sure he's at every game, even Liverpool away! My mum wanted to cry, and my sister had like the biggest smile on her face when I came on as well. It was nice that they were all pleased.”

Tahirah Heron says Fran Kirby is a role model for the academy players. 📸 James Boardman

Tahirah says playing with the likes of Fran Kirby, Maisie Symonds and Michelle Agyemang was a huge honour and she is hoping to follow in their successful footsteps.

“It's just a great experience to share the pitch with them. Fran and Maisie (Symonds) talk to the younger girls a lot about football. I do look up to the senior squad a lot.

“A lot of players tell us just to be ourselves, especially when we get given chances to prove ourselves. They say, ‘don’t change how you play and don't be nervous. Just play how you would normally and express yourself on a pitch.’”

Tahirah now has two games for the senior team under her belt, after making her first start in Albion’s 2-0 win in the League Cup over Portsmouth on Wednesday. Her impressive performance on the right wing resulted in her being nominated for the Player of the Match award. Like all of our young players, she is desperate for further opportunities.

Tahirah Heron claimed 90 minutes and her first start in Albion's Women's Subway League Cup match against Portsmouth. 📸 Kyle Hemsley

Tahirah Heron wasn’t the only Academy player who made their debut against Portsmouth in the midweek League Cup win.

Emilie Gay and Elliana Martin both started in the 2-0 win and Taylor Warren was an unused substitute. Evie Balmer, Olivia Johnson and Mia Balmer have also got minutes off the bench for the first team.

Dario said, “Part of the growth of the club is the importance of a strong pathway from our Academy through the U19s and into the first team.

“The three girls who were involved at Portsmouth deserved their chance and now they have had a taste of it I’m sure they will work even harder, improving day to day, to make sure they give themselves the best chance of getting more game time. They have got some great role models in the team to learn from as well, which is important.”