Durham Women have announced the singing of winger Tyler Dodds from Sunderland AFC Ladies

Add a bit extra 

The 20-year-old has impressed during her time on Wearside playing in the development squad over the past few seasons and made two appearances during their promotion season back in 2014. 

Dodds said: “It feels great to be here and it’s a good move for me. I want to get some game time under my belt and hopefully do well."

The England Under-20 international has made the short move to Durham who currently sit fourth in FA WSL two and is looking to bring something extra to a possible promotion push. 

She said: “Durham are doing really well and I hope I can bring a bit extra to the team and we can keep winning. Hopefully I can prove myself and play ninety minutes each week. “I want to stay in the England setup and prove to people that I deserve to be here.”

Above: Durham Women FC in action against Sheffield Ladies FC | Photo: durham.fawsl.com
Above: Durham Women FC in action against Sheffield Ladies FC | Photo: durham.fawsl.com

Long-time admirer 

Dodds is expected to be thrown straight into the side when they host Sheffield FC Ladies on Thursday and manager Lee Sanders shared his delight in bring the youngster to the cathedral city. 

Sanders said: "We are delighted to welcome Tyler to Durham. She’s a player I've personally known of for a number of years from when she played grassroots football and consequently moving into the Centre of Excellence at Sunderland and Teeside respectively."

Durham will be looking for revenge having been defeated 3-1 by Sheffield in the  FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup last time out and Sanders believes that Dodds will add something different to his forward line. 

He said: “She will add a bit more depth to our squad and offer something different to our front line.

"She's technically sound and after speaking to her it's evident she is an ambitious young player who wants to put the effort in to achieve her goals.

“She will receive the support to help her stay in and around the England youth squads along with Beth Hepple who she trains with at international level." 

Big changes 

Dodds is only the start with Sanders saying that he is expecting to bring a number of new faces in over the summer. 

Tyler said: "She's had a really good season at development level with Sunderland but we felt we could offer her an opportunity at first team level in WSL2 and an offer was made.

“I must thank Sonia and Carlton from Sunderland for the quick and smooth transfer process, they have been really helpful with the move."

He continued: "We will also be bringing in a couple of our young development team players who have done well this season and hopefully training with the first team over the summer. The possibility of playing will further their development for next season."

Durham Women FC will host Sheffield FC Ladies at New Ferens on Thursday, May 19 with kick-off at 7pm. 

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About the author
Danial  Kennedy
Award-winning sports journalism graduate. Currently studying a PR Masters at the University of Sunderland. Writing for VAVEL since August 2014. Twitter - @ddkjournalism.