Half-time Chats: Vicky Carleton opens up on Cliftonville switch and cruel injury setback
Lauren McCann
Vicky Carleton has had a rollercoaster of a year. The 25-year-old started the Women’s Premiership season in fine form for her club Linfield, which earned her a place in the provisional Northern Ireland squad ahead of the European Championships and a chance to return to a full-time training set up.
Then disaster struck, as four weeks into the training camp Carleton suffered an ankle injury which would rule her out of the Euros and a large chunk of the season. Midway through her rehabilitation she completed a summer switch to Cliftonville and then once fit, played a pivotal role in helping the Reds secure their first ever Women’s Premiership title.
Carleton was recently a guest on The Sporty Scoop podcast on Queen’s Radio, and opened up on the difficulties she faced and how she was rewarded for overcoming them, with a league winner’s medal.
Has it sunk in yet that you are a league champion with Cliftonville, and you scored the goal to seal the title?
“I still can’t believe we won the league when I look back at the pictures, maybe it will sink in in a few more weeks. This is massive for the club, Cliftonville have been building for this for years. I remember playing against them when I was 15 and they were getting beaten 7-0 and 8-0 so to come from that to where they are now is massive for the whole club and those players who have been there at Cliftonville during their whole careers. The fact we could win it for them is incredible.
I ended up playing eight or nine games after I arrived, and I was just thinking I need to get one goal for Cliftonville for this season and for it to be in that game against Crusaders was crazy and good timing!”.
The midfielder did admit however that her attempts at hoisting the trophy high in the air didn’t quite go to plan; “I tried to lift it and I couldn’t get a hold of it!” she laughed.
How did your summer move to Cliftonville come about?
“At the start of the season there were rumours that I was going to sign for Cliftonville, and I always said when I joined Linfield, I thought it was the wrong decision, not in a bad way to Linfield, but personally I just think I should have signed for Cliftonville. I think my move was justified come the end of the season. I joined Cliftonville to help them win the league and I think I played a part in doing so.
I was on holidays when the Euros were on as I thought going would be a bit much. Having the time away from football made me realise there was no going back [on the transfer]. As soon as the transfer window was open I said give me a piece of paper, I’ll sign”.
How was the bedding-in period at the club and how big a help were the coaches in helping you settle in?
“My first session back I didn’t know anyone as all the international ones were away, but the younger ones were really welcoming. It was easier when the girls who I knew came back as it felt like international training.”
“Brendy Lynch was a huge help; he took me for extra sessions. Confidence wise, all the coaches believed in me when I was stepping back on the pitch against Derry. I kept saying ‘I feel like I’ve forgotten how to play football’ and they were saying ‘no you haven’t you’re okay’ so in terms of that support as well as on the pitch they’ve been so helpful”.
Were you nervous before making your comeback?
An x-ray of Carleton’s ankle showing her injury which kept her out of action for 160 days.
“I was sitting in the first half like a spectator, so I wasn’t nervous until I was told to warm up and I started freaking out but once I got back on the pitch the nerves were gone.
When I got back playing, I was just focusing on getting by, I don’t think I was playing at my best but by the end of the last few training sessions and games I felt better and I feel more ready now to push on and try and get back in the Northern Ireland squad”.
How hard was the injury to overcome, particularly the timing of it just before the Euros?
I always said at the time I was fine but looking back it was pretty bad. I was in full-time with Northern Ireland, so I was in a football environment the whole time of my injury, which kept me busy but mentally it was very draining as I was watching everyone getting ready for the Euros and I wasn’t, so it was very hard.
Physically the first six weeks were draining, I had very limited movement with my ankle, and you get a bit frustrated as you think you should be doing more than what you are but in terms of rehab, I couldn’t have had a better team around me than the Northern Ireland team and I was back relatively quickly for the injury I had”.
Given that you missed so much football this year, you must be rearing to go for next season already, particularly as you will be playing in Europe?
I honestly can’t wait to start back as I feel like my season only started as it was ending. I’m more excited to play Champions League with Cliftonville than I was with Glentoran or Linfield, I can’t wait to see who we draw. I think we’ll have a good shout no matter who we play against, especially if we strengthen.”
To listen to the full interview, make sure to check out The Sporty Scoop on Spotify.
Lauren McCann is The Scoop’s Sport Editor and an English and Spanish student at Queen’s University Belfast.