FORMER LIONESS SUPPORTS LOCAL YOUTH FOOTBALLERS
A FORMER Lioness is one of the sponsors of the Consett Warriors Youth Football team, which
includes players from Weardale.
Aran Embleton (43) originally from Northumberland began kicking a football about at a very early
age. She was encouraged by her father even though at that time girls had very few teams to play
with and the Football Association rules prevented mixed teams after 11 years old.
Aran wasn’t easily put off – she loved the game and had a natural aptitude for it. At primary
school she was the only girl on the school team and after progressing to secondary school, she was
no longer able to play in a mixed team. Her father supported her and found a ladies team,
encouraging her all the way.
She became a member of the national team playing, of course, for England with her first national
call up at the age of 14 for a training week with the senior women at Bisham Abbey. And also
attended at the first women’s academy at the age of 16 at East Durham college
Aran started her career in football with Cowgate Kestrels now known as Sunderland, before
joining Doncaster Belles in 1999–00 season as a 17-year-old. That season she set up the winning goal
in Doncaster’s FA Women’s Cup semi–final win over Arsenal , and also started the final
defeat to Croydon . In October 2000 Aran scored twice against her former club, as The Belles beat
Sunderland 4–0.
She was called up for the England U18s team and then for the senior squad, playing in the annual
La Manga Club training camp at the beginning of January 2001. Aran made her debut as a sub in the
4-2 friendly win over Spain at Kenilworth Road in March of that year.
Although not selected for UEFA Women’s Euro 2001 , Aran remained in contention and played in
the next friendly, a 3–0 loss to Denmark in Northampton . In December of that year, she returned to
play for Sunderland, moving to Chester-le-Street Ladies the following year. She made another
appearance in a World Cup qualifier in Portugal in November 2001 and was called up to a 30-strong
training party in La Manga in January 2002.
After taking a break from football for a while, Aran joined the newly–formed club, Whitley Bay in
- She scored and amazing 46 goals in the 2005–06 season before reportedly being approached
by Sunderland again in August 2006. She transferred to North Shields Ladies in February 2011,
having featured for Cramlington Juniors in the intervening period.
In April 2023, Aran received her England Legacy Cap at St George’s Park after the FA had decided
to introduce Legacy Caps in November 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of an official England
women’s team. Her Legacy Cap number (#137) was presented to her by Alex Greenwood . She was
allotted 137 when the FA announced their legacy numbers scheme to honour the 50th anniversary
of England’s inaugural international.
These days, Aran remains as committed to the sport as she always was and is a self-employed
trainer, teaching and training young women with bespoke one-to-one coaching. She is a pioneer of
the women’s game and continues to support grassroots football, including sponsoring the young
lads of Consett Warriors. Indeed, she attended their annual presentation evening last month and
presented prizes along with her wife, Lianne, who runs a business too – The Floral Décor Company.
Lianne can design for every occasion and indeed decorated the football club in Consett for the young
Warriors splendidly. Hers is the one-stop shop for decorating for every occasion, including wedding
venues, birthdays, seasonal and installations. (07904830946 for more information).
Aran Embleton is also available as a guest speaker.
Any individual, group or school who would like to contact her can do so via email at
or call 07816646509. Visit her website at Aran Embleton – Home
