Kirsty Smith is pleased to be back close to her best for West Ham United women’s team.
The 30-year-old full-back missed the first four matches of the 2024/25 Barclays Women’s Super League season due to a shoulder injury, before making her comeback in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw with Everton on 13 October.
Smith had been eager to get back out on the pitch in Claret and Blue, having played in every WSL fixture across the previous two seasons, and after picking up gametime for Scotland during the recent international break, and featuring as an unused substitute against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, she believes she is now back to full fitness.
The Hammers welcome Leicester City to Chigwell Construction Stadium on Sunday, and our No2 is hopeful of building on two draws so far this term, and helping earn what would be a first three-point haul.
“It’s really nice to be back from injury and back with the team again,” Smith explained.
“Obviously it’s tough when you’re not able to be involved in the first games of a new season because you’ve built towards that throughout pre-season.
“I’m excited to be fit again, and hopefully I can continue building up my fitness and help the team over the coming months."
“Since I’ve arrived here at West Ham, the start of this season was the first time that I’ve missed matches," Smith continued.
“That’s frustrating for me, but it’s something that was out of my control, and I’m pleased that I only missed a couple of matches, and now I want to keep building my fitness back up and be able to help the team as much as possible.
"Last week at Spurs was disappointing, especially with the late goal, but our performances have been good and we've all got lots of belief for the remainder of the season.”
Kirsty Smith's football firsts...
First game you watched live as a supporter?
I can’t exactly remember my first game that I went to as a supporter, but the games that always stick out in my memory are when Scotland play England. They’re always really good games to watch and it’s always a fierce battle. I’ve been to watch the game a couple of times and I always go with my Dad. He is my biggest fan and he comes to as many of my games as he can, wherever they are.
First football hero?
When I was growing up, there weren’t too many women’s players that were all that visible at that point. But back then, it would have been Kim Little. She’s somebody I’ve always looked up to because of what she’s done for Scotland and for Arsenal.
First football boots?
This is tough to remember but I’m going to say a pair of Adidas F50s. I had a pair that I really didn’t want to let go of, and they were orange and blue. I still wish to this day that I could play in them, I loved how they felt, and I played so many matches with them on.
First kit?
Every single summer holiday that I went on, my Dad and I would go and buy a football shirt. The one that really stands out, which is so random now when I think about it, is a light blue Marseille shirt. I just loved the colour of it. People probably wonder why I did that, but it was something I did when I was young and me and my Dad really enjoyed going out and picking a shirt, it was part of our holiday!
First mentor in football?
It would have to be my Dad - I’ve mentioned him so much already that I couldn’t choose anyone else! But if I also was to pick someone in football then Casey Stoney was a really good mentor for me when I went to Manchester United, even though that was a little bit later into my life.
First professional game?
It would have been for Manchester United against Liverpool. We beat them 1-0 in the League Cup in our inaugural season as a team.
First professional goal?
Again, I really can’t remember this one. My most memorable was scoring against Brighton last season because it was my first goal for the Club. It meant a lot for me even though it really wasn’t a good goal!
