Albion women’s Player of the Season Elisabeth Terland paid tribute to her teammates and the fans who voted for her after collecting the award on Monday evening.
The Norway striker, who is in her second season with the club, has scored 15 goals this season, including 13 in the WSL.
“It means a lot. It shows that you’re doing something important and you’re performing well and that’s the thing you want to do to help the team. It’s an honour.
“The fans have been great, they’re always great, they’re so supportive. You can feel that as a player when you step out out on the pitch and it’s really special. I appreciate it and everything they’ve done for me and the team during the whole season.
“The season has been a bit challenging, but it’s a really good group of people and I think we have developed a lot throughout the year.
“For me as a player too it’s been a challenge but it’s been great and I feel really happy to be part of such a good group. I’m just excited for where the club is going in the future. We have quality all round. If we can keep building and keep developing it can be very exciting.”
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Part of that development involved Mikey Harris taking over as interim Head Coach in February. “It’s different under Mikey, another type of football. It’s very clear what we want to do, to have the ball a lot, and everyone is really buying into his way of playing, which makes us believe in what we’re doing. Of course it’s still early so we need to learn it, progress it and develop in it but it’s a really fun way to play football and I enjoy it."
Albion finish their WSL fixtures on Saturday with a tough-looking trip to Arsenal, who are in third place. “As a player I want to achieve big things,” Elisabeth said. “Playing games every single week that are competitive and fighting to be the best player and win game after game is something you want to do. Every game is a challenge and you just have to take it.”
She is also excited by the club’s plans to bring the team home to a purpose-built women’s stadium in Brighton & Hove. “It’s something we all want to do as players and something the whole club wants to do,” she said.
“We have had opportunities to play at the Amex a few times this season and as a player it’s something special, playing in the city, it’s amazing. So of course if it’s something that’s possible in the future that would be great.”