Eleanor Heeps: “I try to give the best version of myself” | OneFootball

After an impressive end to the calendar year, Eleanor Heeps is keen to use that as a platform in the new year.

The young goalkeeper, who joined the Club in August, 2021, from Liverpool, was handed her competitive debut in the 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the Women’s League Cup last month and hasn’t looked back since.

Earning a clean sheet on her first start in our colours, Eleanor has since made a further three appearances in between the sticks, including a first-ever game in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

Following a busy end to the calendar year, helping us to secure four points in the league across two games and qualification to the quarter-final of the Women’s League Cup, the 21-year-old has looked back on a hugely positive couple of weeks.

“At the time, when I was playing in those games, I didn’t really have much time to process what was happening – I just took every game as they came and tried to give the best version of myself as I could,” she told us.

“It was really good to get those games in and, obviously, it was such a proud moment for me.

“The clean sheet in my first game was important, it was a whole team effort, but it was nice to get that in my first start for the Club.

“It was always a dream to play in the Women’s Super League, it’s something that I have been working hard towards over these last couple of years, so I was pleased to have got that opportunity and see the positive response I had from all the players, staff and supporters.”

Since joining the Club just under four years ago, Eleanor has trained alongside experienced Becky Spencer and she has heaped plenty of praise on her fellow shot-stopper.

“I have learnt so much from Becky and I have really looked up to her, training alongside her for many years to help me develop, I think she has helped me become who I am today,” she explained.

With the players returning to Hotspur Way over the weekend ahead of our return to action in the new year, the goalkeeper is hoping to use the last four games as a platform for the second half of the campaign.

“It was good to have a break, spend time with family and friends, but I’m now looking at the new year to build on what I have achieved recently and just keep learning and developing as much as I can, help the team have a positive second half of the season.”