Game: Kilmarnock Women v Aberdeen FC Women
Competition: SWPL 2
Date: Sunday 13th December 2020
Venue: Rugby Park
Kick Off: 1400

Aberdeen FC Women play their final game on Sunday before a short winter break. Ahead of the trip to Rugby Park, Mark Gordon spoke to one of the new signings who has helped the side climb to top spot in SWFL 2.

AFC Women midfielder Bailley Collins has established herself in the squad since scoring on her first start for the team in a pre-season match against Forfar Farmington. The 17-year-old is the latest player to arrive in the first team having come through the youth sides at Aberdeen Ladies. She was called up to the AFC Women’s side for the start of the season and has been enjoying the experience.

“I’ve really enjoyed it so far. I think from when I started until now, I’ve got used to the speed of play and the tempo as it’s a lot quicker. I’m just getting used to the environment of being at Cormack Park and being around the team. It’s been really good and I’ve enjoyed every part of it so far.

“I’ve been training hard since the end of last season and throughout lockdown as I knew I had to work to earn my place in the squad. I’m still working hard now I’m here and trying to get a spot in the team every week. The facilities that we have at Cormack Park are really good and being involved in the set-up of the club makes it really professional and I’m really enjoying that”.

Bailley started playing at a young age and it wasn’t long before she started playing competitively.

“My brother played football from when he could walk and after a few years of watching him play I decided I wanted to try it for myself. It was with my Primary School team Culter Girls that I started playing when I was about seven or eight years old. From there I went on to play with Aberdeen Ladies and I just worked my way up through the youth pathway until I got to the first team squad”.

In her last season with Aberdeen Ladies at under-19 level Bailley was named player of the season in what was a successful campaign for her team.

“I started at Aberdeen Ladies in 2011 so I would’ve been 8 or 9. In my last year there with the 19’s we won the League Cup and we came second in the league by a point to Celtic. We were also in the Scottish Cup final where we lost out to Celtic again in a really tight game. It was great playing with the 19’s, we were really successful and we had a really strong team. I was given player of the year that season and I kept working hard which led to me being signed by the first team”.

Collins is the latest player to come through the youth ranks with Aberdeen Ladies and make it to the Women’s first team. She feels that the link between the two is really important for the younger players.

“I think the pathway is something that the younger players look to and look forward to striving for the goal of being part of the first team squad and to get that call up. There have been a few 19’s players this season that have been called up to our squad and I think it is important to have that pathway to help give the younger players that goal to aim for. I’ve played with Eilidh Shore throughout my time with Aberdeen Ladies, Bayley Hutchison and Jess Broadrick as well. It’s good to play with those players on the way up so we all know each other well and can bring out the best in each other now that we are in the first team together”.

Dons co-manager Emma Hunter is a familiar face to Bailley as she has been one her coaches in the past.

“Emma was my coach for two years at regionals and has seen me at quite a few stages in my career so far so it’s good that she is aware of me and what I can do. My coach at Aberdeen Ladies, Jocky Lawrence really pushed me on to the best of my ability, he really helped me last season and that was why I got the call up from Scotland. John Dickie was also my coach from when I started up until I played in the 17s. He has been with me since the start and helped develop me a lot along the way”.

Collins’ form in her last season earned her a call-up to represent Scotland at under-17 level.

“It was an experience that I’m always going to remember. That was something I was really working hard and pushing myself get to last season and obviously that got picked up on and I was chosen to go to Spain with the 17s squad. I played in all three games which I wasn’t expecting and it was an honour to play for my country. I took a lot away from the experience and I learned a lot whilst I was there”.

The Dons are at the top of SWPL2 after a promising start to the season and Bailley is targeting promotion at the end of the campaign.

“At the start of the season it was our aim to try and get promoted and it’s going well for us at the moment. We’re a confident team and are looking to achieve that goal of promotion although we know it won’t be easy”.