SIDDALL HIGHLIGHTS GOING FULL TIME AS KEY TO TEAM’S SUCCESS

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Defender looks back at 2025/26

2026-05-27T08:57:12.372Z

SIDDALL HIGHLIGHTS GOING FULL TIME AS KEY TO TEAM’S SUCCESS

Defender looks back at 2025/26

2026-05-27T08:57:12.372Z

Defender looks back at 2025/26

When Emma Siddall first joined Burnley on dual registration terms from Manchester City in February 2024, the team’s infrastructure and schedule was much different to what it is now.

Under the leadership of Head of Women’s Football Lola Ogunbote, the group have gone from being part-time to now operating as a full-time, professional outfit.

For Siddall, who featured in all 33 matches across three competitions, that backing was key to the team’s success of winning the Northern Premier Division of the FA Women’s National League.

“As a team there have been lots of ups and downs,” she said.

“We’ve been through a lot, but we’ve managed to stay consistent and produce a record-breaking season.

“It (being full-time) gives you a lot of time to think and put the extra little bits of work in to make sure that you’re at the optimal performance level, both individually and as a team.

“It just shows and opens up what it’s like for the men’s team too.

“There’s so much more than just playing football on the pitch, because you get to see and feel how it impacts people that support the Club.”

SIDDALL HIGHLIGHTS GOING FULL TIME AS KEY TO TEAM’S SUCCESS - Image 1

Traditionally used to being a right-back, the 2025/26 season saw Siddall broaden her horizons from a positional point of view.

The 20-year-old has played at right centre-back and in the centre of midfield, which has also helped quadruple her goals tally from the previous campaign.

“It’s always fun and a pleasure to play different positions,” Siddall continued.

“It gives you lots of experience and time on the pitch, but it’s also nice to try and have one position in mind and stick to that.

“Even as a defender, I’ve always wanted to get goals in my locker.

“This season I’ve not been afraid to have a shot, and thankfully a few more goals have come.

“My favourite would be the one against Peterborough (United – in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup) – I cut in from right to left and shot from about 30 yards out.

“That one felt the nicest.”

SIDDALL HIGHLIGHTS GOING FULL TIME AS KEY TO TEAM’S SUCCESS - Image 2

There were some memorable moments for the Blackpool native, both individually and as a team.

When asked for her favourite, there was no hesitation.

“It’s got to be the Wolves win!” she finished.

“For some reason that felt almost better than the last game of the season, just because we knew we needed to get the win.

“As a group of defenders, you don’t want people scoring against you.

“Regardless of whether we were conscious of it (having the best defensive record in the league) or not, you just want to keep the clean sheets coming, and that’s what we managed to do.

“Because we’re going up to WSL2 now it’s so important to get that break and have some off time, before we get back to putting in the hard work in pre-season.”