Defender Anouk Denton is incredibly proud to have hit 50 appearances for West Ham United women’s team and is thriving with the momentum in the side ahead of the visit of Manchester United on Saturday.
Rehanne Skinner’s team are flying in the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL). Up to seventh and unbeaten in three, there is a real buzz about Chadwell Heath as we approach the final four games of the campaign.
Following a late point at home to Manchester City and claiming the derby-day spoils over Tottenham Hotspur, last time out - albeit nearly three weeks ago - the Hammers came from two goals down to earn a dramatic point at leaders Chelsea courtesy of a Shekiera Martinez brace.
The draw at Kingsmeadow, the first points Chelsea have dropped at home all season, was Denton’s 50th appearance in a West Ham shirt. The 21-year-old initially joined the Club on loan from Arsenal for the second half of the 2020/21 campaign before signing on a permanent basis in January 2023.
Under Skinner, the full-back has found her feet in England’s top flight, having started the first 13 league games of the season, scoring two goals, and earning regular call-ups to the Young Lionesses’ U23s squad.
“I can’t believe I’ve already played 50 games for the Club!” beamed a surprised Denton. “It doesn’t feel like that many! It’s really cool and I’m really proud to have hit that milestone.
“I’ve been here nearly two-and-a-half years, but it does take a long time to settle into the team and adjust to the level of the WSL. It’s obviously a very high level, so this year I’m definitely more comfortable in that environment.
“I would say scoring against Crystal Palace this season was a big memory [from the 50 matches], that game was really fun to play in as well, we scored a lot of goals and it was really enjoyable.”
Spirits are certainly high within the women’s team, who are fully back in the swing of things after the international break which saw 17 Hammers represent their respective countries.
Denton was once again in action with England U23s as they faced Spain U23s and Belgium U23s in two WU23 International matches, coming from a goal down to beat the latter 2-1.
“The international break was really fun,” she said. “We won one game, lost one game, but it’s nice being back [at West Ham] because the team’s doing really well at the moment, and there’s a good momentum going with us. It’s nice to all be back together.
“Recently we’ve just had so many good results and we’re higher in the league compared to where we have been previously, so it’s definitely giving us confidence.
“Having good results makes everyone better in the team and, obviously, when you’re winning, everyone’s happy.”
Marc Skinner’s Manchester United are the visitors on Saturday, who West Ham faced on the opening day of the campaign. That afternoon at Old Trafford, the home side secured a 3-0 success, but since then, the Irons have grown in confidence.
A lot of that belief has come at Chigwell Construction Stadium. Playing in Dagenham has given Skinner’s team so much joy this term as they have broken two women’s team records, for most wins and points at home in a single season, and Denton wants her side to continue what has already been a memorable campaign in east London, on Saturday.
“I think we’ve come quite far [since the opening game of the season],” she admitted. “I feel like we had a lot of new players in the team this season, so I guess it’s taken a while to know each other and know how each other play. We’re definitely a lot more fluid and have better relationships on and off the pitch.
“The fans have been really great this season. We really hear them in the stands. It’s a bit of a combination that we’ve been playing better, so the fans are enjoying it more, and that’s boosting us.
“I’m excited for the game [against Manchester United]. We’re not really bothered about who we’re playing, we’re just focused on ourselves.
“We’ve been doing really well at home, but we want to bring that form away from home as well.”
As well as reaching 50 appearances for the Club, Denton was nominated for the Young Player of the Year award at the 2025 Women’s Football Awards, which will take place on Thursday 1 May.
She said: “It was really cool to find out I was nominated for the Young Player of the Year award at the Women's Football Awards. Knowing people have put my name forward and that people back me gives me confidence.”
Everyone at the Club wishes Anouk the best for the Women’s Football Awards, and for her next 50 appearances in Claret and Blue!
