The making of the 'Reverend' - Lois Joel's journey to the Euros | OneFootball

The Red Dragons pipped the Republic of Ireland in a two-legged play-off to reach Euro 2025, with Joel - who has nine caps so far - admitting it was 'utter madness' being a part of the historic first Cymru squad to qualify for a major women's tournament.

It's set to be a baptism of fire for Rhian Wilkinson's side, who've been pitted in a group against England, France and the Netherlands, but doing things the hard way and facing challenges are not new to Joel.

Moving colleges and transferring between teams back in England have all helped the versatile midfielder reach this peak of her career, and it all started in the US.

Despite leaving the University of North Carolina in 2020, 'Reverand' Lois Joel still misses her former college, and wishes she could go back to complete her senior year.

The path into the professional women's game has not always been as straightforward as many view it now, with numerous top-class talents - and Joel's close friends - like Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben-Moy venturing Stateside to continue their footballing development while also earning an education.

That was one of the key reasons for Joel deciding to look into moving her life over to America while earning her stripes in the Chelsea youth set-up, but it's a choice she has no regrets over making.

"I started playing for Chelsea when I was about 15 years old," Joel said. "Early on, I decided that I wanted to go to America.

"My mum was always on my back about my education, so going over there to get a good one and play football was the perfect scenario.

"It was actually my mum who made me aware that going to America was a possibility, and from then on, I was adamant that's what I wanted to do.

“I was 17 when I finally made the move, and can honestly say, I never once looked back. Going over there was the best thing for me, and while football was a big part of my life over there, I knew I needed to also perform well in the classroom.”

When Joel was rising through the ranks as a teenager, she could see there was a chance of making it professional in the women’s game, however, that dream certainly came with its risks.

Unlike now, Joel was very unsure of whether or not she’d be given ample opportunities to step into first team football on a regular basis, with the gap between academies and the top level being large, leaving her with a sense of unease, she added.

“At the time, there wasn’t as much security about playing time when I was younger.

“It felt as though there was quite a big gap between breaking into the first team at a club and then getting a good professional contract, which seemed like a bit of a risk.

“I knew going over there was a risk in itself, but I could always come home if it wasn’t for me, and luckily, that never turned out to be the case.

“For me, it wasn’t even about just playing football, my mum emphasised to me that I needed good grades from a young age, so I actually enjoyed being in school and ended up being the first person from my family to graduate, which was a nice moment.”

A switch across the pond can be daunting at the best of times, but going over 3800 miles away from the hustle and bustle of London, to the 10th smallest state by area, brought about its own challenges.

Having grown up a London girl and playing her youth football in the area, Joel saw her eyes open to a much smaller world but admired the support everyone gave the West Virginia University teams.

“I had gone from growing up and living my whole life in London, which was so busy and had so many things to do, to a very southern and small university town with a small population.

“Everyone loved the University sports teams, though and would come out in their numbers to cheer everyone on, which was a cool experience.

“I remember I got decent time for a freshman at West Virginia, but physically, I was still pretty small compared to everyone else.

“They were all big, quick and strong, so I spent a lot more time in the gym, something that I never did in England, and it certainly paid off.”

The Wales international spent the following two years with the Mountaineers, turning out 33 times, but after finding regular starts difficult to come by, she was offered the chance to transfer to one of the top Universities in America.

With friends Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben Moy at the University of North Carolina, and well-respected coach Anson Dorrance personally ringing Joel to ask her to move, she knew there was only one option.

“I wasn’t too happy with my game time at West Virginia, but never planned to go to UNC (University of North Carolina), but I had mates there and a coach who wanted to join.

“It was an opportunity I knew I couldn’t turn down, given the size of the University, although my mum kept asking me if I was sure about the move, given that they were the best school in the country.

“Playing for UNC was amazing, it’s where all the best players want to go, and with Lessi (Alessia Russo) and Lotte (Lotte Wubben Moy) there, I couldn’t wait to make the move.

“Another huge reason for me to join was Anson Dorrance, the coach, he’s a legend in America. He rang me and asked, ‘Do I want to come and play in Paradise?’ I knew that I couldn’t say no.”

‘Mentality monsters’, that’s how Joel described athletes in America. From the physicality side of things to how they’re all mentally determined to win every game.

While there is the fear of going somewhere new, with a totally different culture, new way of playing football and having to get acclimatised quickly, Joel struggled to put into words how much she’d encourage people to follow in her footsteps.

“It was a culture shock for sure, the games were so fast-paced, I needed to bulk up as soon as I got there, and we were often playing twice a week.

“Looking back on it now, I think that was what helped mould me as a player and a person. I know it can seem daunting, but I would recommend it to anyone.

“I genuinely enjoyed every minute of time at UNC, both on and off the pitch. It was great academically, and we had such an amazing team; my only regret is I didn’t get to stay there for longer.”

Unfortunately for Joel, her time at UNC was cut short by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, something she still rues to this day. Such is her love and admiration for the University, she added.

“I was meant to have another year, which would’ve been my senior season at UNC, but then Covid hit.

“I talked to my coach about the situation, and he urged me to go back to England and go professional because of the uncertainty in America and American sports.

“When I came home and was training with West Ham, I was missing UNC a lot and really wanted to be back over there playing my senior year, and to be honest, I think I needed that final year because I know I would’ve changed and developed a lot more.”

Prior to last summer, Joel had never played for a team in England outside of London; however, a move up north and away from her family and friends wasn’t too daunting, given what she’d already experienced in her short career.

Just like over in America, Newcastle’s number 22 wasn’t going to be alone for very long as she had ‘a friend for life’ waiting to live and make memories with her, and not for the first time.

Anyone who’s watched a Newcastle United Women’s game over the past 12 months will instantly recognise that Joel and Isabella Sibley are almost joined at the hip, having grown up playing grassroots football together and have been inseparable ever since.

“I’d heard there were talks about Issy (Sibley) joining Newcastle, so I kept asking her if she was joining, but she couldn’t tell me for sure. But finally, everything fell into place.

“Next thing I know, we’re both doing a six-hour journey up to Newcastle, and neither of us realised how far north it was, because I don’t think we’d gone past Birmingham before.

“I was so excited Issy was joining me on this journey, and it helps to have a best friend with you as it’s easier to settle in, although that’s not to say we’ve not had testing times.

“I’d say we’re certainly more like sisters now instead of best friends because we argue and bicker a lot, but then, minutes later, we’re back to normal.

“She’ll be a friend for life, and I’ll savour all of these moments and memories we’ve created together.”

With 22 appearances for United under her belt, as well as her international caps for Wales, Joel has already established herself as a versatile and top player in the Women’s Championship, but there’s much more to the 25-year-old beyond the white lines.

Like several first-team players, Joel was instantly won over by the stunning north east coast and often spends her days off down Tynemouth taking in the amazing views.

However, unlike any of her other teammates, she has another secret in her life which makes her stand out off the pitch, although the story of how Lois Joel received the title of Reverand is one of surprise, she explained.

“I don’t really know what happened to be honest, but basically, I lost my ID not too long ago and had to order a new one.

“So, what I think has happened is that I’ve accidentally clicked on Reverand, instead of Miss, when you have to enter your name and title.

“A lot of people who know me like to call me Reverand Lois Joel now. It’s a good story to tell people, but when it comes to important things like buying a house, it may not be ideal, but right now, I’m a Reverand.”