An Open Letter from Leah Williamson.
To my Arsenal family, the English Football League, and the great community that has supported me,
As I sit here writing these words, I am overcome with appreciation. This is a reflection not only on my career, but also on the trip we have all taken—one shaped by love, belief, and unshakable support that has followed me from my first ball kick to the present.
To Arsenal Women, my childhood home, you offered me more than just a jersey. You gave me an identity, a platform, and a family that has supported me through both victories and sorrows. From Hale End to Meadow Park, every step I took was based on your belief that I would one day be able to wear the badge proudly. That belief has been the driving force behind my whole career, and I will take it with me forever.
Thank you to the English Football League and the wider footballing establishment for establishing venues for young ladies like me to dream—and see those dreams come true. The expansion of the Women’s Super League has not only advanced the game, but has also inspired innumerable players and fans all over the world. I am proud to have been a part of a generation that has demonstrated that women’s football belongs at the heart of sports culture.
You—my fans, mentors, teammates, and loved ones—have served as my anchor. Your applause in the stands, your words on difficult days, and your silent belief have propelled me higher than I could have climbed alone. Your presence was the quiet force that kept me going through every injury, final, and struggle I faced.
I’d like to make it obvious that none of my accomplishments are solely mine. It belongs to Arsenal, who transformed a young girl into a leader. It goes to the leagues and administrators who had the courage to believe in the women’s game. And, most importantly, it belongs to the community that has embraced me and never forgotten why I fell in love with football in the first place.
As I look to the future, I hope that the next generation will inherit a game that is bigger, braver, and more inclusive than the one I entered. If I played any part in paving that route, it was because of those of you who walked beside me.
With eternal thanks,
Leah Williamson