Next up on our list of this year’s most impressive Women’s Super League players, we take a trip to the south coast. Although Laura Rafferty is currently on loan with Bristol City, she is still a Brighton player so she is eligible for selection.
In 2019, she ruptured her ACL and was sidelined for the whole season. This was a huge setback for a player who had been integral in Hope Powell’s side – making 18 appearances during the 2018/19 season.
However, she has taken her season-ending injury and turned it into a positive. The defender worked hard behind the scenes to return to fitness and bag herself a loan move.
However, what I admire the most is that Rafferty is now part of Juan Mata’s Common Goal campaign.
LISTEN: An Evening with Laura Rafferty
The charity sees players sign up to donate 1% of their wage to the United Nations Global Goals. This helps establish social links between clubs, players and fans, allowing everyone to access football.
Rafferty prioritises helping others who are in great need of support. She is also an advocate for equality and making the game a safer place for all.
Being part of the Common Goal campaign is a telling sign of what type of person Rafferty is off the pitch. But don’t doubt her ability when she’s on the grass.
Having already plied her trade in the WSL for many years, she deserves better luck on the injury front. If she can keep match fit, she could be looking at a huge future.
