The last line of defence. The fine margins between victory and defeat. The most crucial position in the matchday squad. The Goalkeeper.
The Goalkeepers Union comprises of a close-knit team of shot-stoppers all competing and vying for the recognition of being named as the club’s number one.
Former St. Johnstone Player of the Year, Rebecca Cameron has had to bide her time for that status in claret and amber after departing the Perthshire club prior to the start of the 2023/24 Scottish Women’s Premier League campaign.
Competing closely with Scotland Under-23 International Emily Mutch, Cameron featured on eight occasions last season, including a Sky Sports League Cup triumph over local rivals Hamilton Accies, with Motherwell securing victory on penalties after Cameron saved the decisive spot kick.
However, with Mutch departing Fir Park for English Women’s Super League 2 side Bristol City after three successive SWPL campaigns, Cameron is primed to earn her number one status between the sticks.
“It’s an absolutely huge opportunity for me,” Cameron said.
“Me and Emily have had a really close relationship at the club, and whilst I’m gutted to see her leave, I’m absolutely thrilled for her to have achieved such a huge opportunity at Bristol City.
“We have both pushed each other’s standards throughout the season, and I have really developed myself as a goalkeeper by working alongside her.
“Heading into my third season at the club, I’m absolutely determined to cement my place as the number one at Motherwell. The League Cup victory over Hamilton gave me that initial feeling, and I am going to do everything I can to achieve my targets this campaign.
“Currently, I’m the only first-team goalkeeper left at the club, so I have a unique opportunity to showcase what I’m capable of this pre-season, but I know that Paul will be working to bring in competition, and that is essential as a goalkeeper.”
Despite the highs and lows of competing amongst the financially affluent full-time sides, Motherwell completed a highly-successful campaign last season, with a top-six finish and a place in the Scottish Cup Semi-Final at Hampden Park, but the squad have maintained a desire to continually push the boundaries of success.
“Last season was huge for the football club,” Cameron added.
“We achieved all of our targets from the start of the season. Achieving a top-six place in the SWPL was a long-awaited feeling, and to play at the National Stadium in the Scottish Cup Semi-Final just made the feeling even sweeter.
“We don’t just want to sit back, relax and have our guard down now we have achieved these goals. We want to continually progress and develop as a team.
“We understand the difficulty of regularly contesting the full-time teams in the league, and progressing into the top-five will be the toughest test we’ve faced, but it is one we are all working towards as a collective group.”
Despite numerous departures from the women of steel this summer, Head Coach Paul Brownlie has strengthened the ranks, with former players Carla Boyce, Kodie Hay and Amy Bulloch all returning to the club alongside Spartans defender Tegan Browning. Cameron expressed the close knit-relationship amongst the squad throughout the opening week of pre-season.
“Pre-season is always tough when players you’ve played alongside for so long move onto new opportunities,” Cameron explained.
“Fresh additions take their place, and it will take time for the squad to gel and refocus towards the new season, but there is a really great relationship amongst the team.
“Carla, Kodie and Amy have all been at the club before, and played with each other last season, so they have settled in really quickly. Tegan was a really strong player for Spartans last season, and has really impressed so far in training.
“It is still early days this season, but there is a really positive harmony in the team, and we are all looking forward to returning to competitive action.”
