WSL 2 award-winner Herron calls for investment in north east football
Birmingham City defender Neve Herron hopes investment in women's football in the north east is encouraged more. Herron, 22, is from Sunderland and won the WSL 2 Rising Star award on Monday after helping Birmingham City gain promotion to the top tier as champions.
Neve Herron (left) and Lily Crosthwaite (right) won awards on Monday [Getty Images] Birmingham City defender Neve Herron hopes investment in women's football in the north east is encouraged more. Herron, 22, is from Sunderland and won the WSL 2 Rising Star award on Monday after helping Birmingham City gain promotion to the top tier as champions. Her team-mate Lily Crosthwaite, 24, also from the north east, claimed the WSL 2 Player of the Season award as Birmingham City finished above Palace.
Both players were also named in the WSL 2 Team of the Season and collected their accolades alongside the best XI from the top tier. "We had a moment on stage where we looked across the line and there was some big players, like [Manchester City's] Vivianne Miedema," said Herron. "We had a minute to just take it in.
There is a lot of talent in the north east that goes unnoticed. It's only going to get better with the development of Newcastle and Sunderland being taken over [by new owners Bay Collective]. "Hopefully it helps to encourage to put more money into women's football to support the growth of players there.
We don't just want one part of the country to grow. " Herron played in 21 of Birmingham City's 22 games including the final day as Blues recorded a crucial 2-0 victory over Charlton Athletic to clinch the title. She has been in the Midlands for three seasons having left Sunderland after a four-year stay between 2019 and 2023.