BARROVIAN Aimee Everett was invited to a drinks reception at 10 Downing Street for captains of teams in the Women's Super League. 

22-year-old Everett is the skipper for Crystal Palace, wearing the number six shirt. She joined the Eagles in 2021, playing as a midfielder.

Despite her team, by her own admission, not expecting to going into the WSL at the start of the season they managed to win the Championship and gain a spot in the top division of women's football. 

"It was quite a crazy season," she said. "At the start of it we didn't have a manager at the time, we didn't really have a big squad. Obviously we all want to play in the Super League but that was never in the plan."

The Mail: Aimee Everett at a drinks reception in Number 10Aimee Everett at a drinks reception in Number 10 (Image: Aimee Everett)

Everett said that the team kept working 'week by week' and by Christmas it was starting to look more likely. 

"We all really started to believe it," Everett added. 

She said that when there was a loss, it did not knock the squad and start a streak - they were always able to pick up again the next week. 

The Mail: Aimee on the pitch with her captain's armbandAimee on the pitch with her captain's armband (Image: PA (Bradley Collyer))

It was a very tight season, but in the end Crystal Palace held a 23-goal difference over Charlton going into the final game against Sunderland. 

Everett has received an award from her club recognising her community work. She also went to an event with other WSL captains at Downing Street which acknowledged the growth of the women's game and how it can be encouraged further. 

READ MORE: Barrow AFC said to be eyeing a number of summer swoops

"It was a nice experience and I can say I've been to Downing Street," Everett said.

The Mail: Aimee as a teenager when she was in Blackburn Rover's youth academy with Georgia StanwayAimee as a teenager when she was in Blackburn Rover's youth academy with Georgia Stanway (Image: Aimee Everett)

Part of the growth has come from England winning the Euros, with the squad featuring her fellow Furness contemporary Georgia Stanway who Everett shared lifts with as a youth player at Blackburn.

Everett said that girls are still being encouraged to go into dancing and gymnastics over football. "It's quite difficult for them if you're the only girl in a boy's team," she said. 

Both internationally and in England, Everett said that women's football is building. She said in the US women's football is 'almost bigger than the men's over there.' 

Asked what she would say to girls interested in football in Barrow: "I would just say believe in yourself. When I was that young girl from Barrow there weren't anyone to look up to. 

"They've got to believe in themselves, keep working hard and training hard."