Finding New Confidence

Charlotte Wilkins, Manchester, England

Goal Click have teamed up with EE to tell the stories of UK grassroots teams born out of adversity - that have overcome hate with hope, with the aim of making the beautiful game more inclusive for all. Because there is a place in football for everyone. 

Charlotte Wilkins plays for Manchester Laces, the first ever inclusive women’s and non-binary football club in Manchester, located in Whalley Range. Founded in early 2021, they welcome women and non-binary people from age 16 to 55 and beyond, aiming to promote inclusivity and community – and is united to fight for trans issues in football. Winning an award for National Grassroots Club of the Year in 2022, the club has a no-pressure policy with social sessions, development sessions, and a league team.

Inspired? To find your place in football, in England, head here.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football life until now?

My name is Charlotte Wilkins and I am from Manchester. I work in tech and play for Manchester Laces in the Purple (beginners) squad. I have watched women’s football since the World Cup in 2019 and after the lockdown in 2021 I found out about Manchester Laces and thought I would give it a try. 

I had never played football until April 2021. After the lockdown I was feeling lonely and wanted to do something social and active. I had never thought about playing football before. I had never been given the opportunity to play, but Manchester Laces seemed to be open for beginners which gave me reassurance it would be a safe place to play. 

What did you try to capture with your photos? Was there a wider meaning with the photos?

I tried to show football is for anyone. Even myself, a beginner at 28, can start playing and slowly feel more confident. The photos were taken at Manchester Laces training. The atmosphere and my teammates make me feel so confident in myself. 

There is a photo with Christina and Fran sitting down after training. We are all in the Purple squad at Manchester Laces, which is the beginners team. I feel connected to them as we are all at the same place in our football journey and feel like we all encourage each other. I am proud of how far we have come. 

What role does football play in your life and in your community?

Football has become really important in my life. During the pandemic and lockdown I felt really lonely and lost touch with friends. I also lived in a flat and did not really have anywhere to safely exercise, so I really struggled in lockdown. Now I have somewhere to go after work to exercise and be social. It is so important for my mental health and I look forward to going each week. 

There are so many opportunities right now in the community. We have a WhatsApp group and I feel like every week something comes up either with Manchester Laces or other tournaments asking if people want to play. 

What impact has Manchester Laces had on you? Why is it so important to have an inclusive space to play? How important is it for male allies to fight sexist abuse?

Playing for Manchester Laces has had a big impact on my life. I was quite a shy person and did not know many people. Now I feel so confident in myself and have made so many new friends. It was important for me to find somewhere that was inclusive and safe. During lockdown nowhere was open and I tried to exercise outside on the streets where I felt very unsafe - men would walk past and make comments. 

It is so important for male allies to use their voices against sexist abuse and educate and speak up if they hear anything from their teammates, friends, and families.

What do you think the future looks like for football in your community? What would you like to change? 

I would like to see football be available to anyone, especially in school. I went to an all-girls school and we never played football. I would love to see everyone be more accepting of women’s football. 

In the future I hope to make new players at Manchester Laces feel as welcome as I felt, to show people how much just playing football has helped in my life and to give it a go as well. 

Series edited by Emma Walley.