Evans Hits The Big Times

12 June 2012 16:59
Glasgow City striker Lisa Evans is about to fulfil the ambition of most female footballers in this country and become a full-time professional player with one of the best club sides in the world - Germany's Turbine Potsdam.

A City player for the last 4 years, Lisa Evans was part of the successful City side who progressed all the way to the last sixteen of the Champions League last season, where she and her team mates then faced twice winners and twice runners-up of the Champions League, Turbine Postdam in the most high profile match of Glasgow City’s history. Despite bowing out of the competition at this stage, Evans and her team mates undoubtedly impressed the German Champions who immediately made a move for the Glasgow City striker.  In terms of finance and support, Scottish Football is light years behind their German counterparts, who play in the strongest League in the world. While City struggle to raise the funds to play in Europe every season and their players remain unpaid, Postdam bring in 1M euros in sponsorship alone, with all players and staff professional. Although the details of Lisa’s offer and contract remain confidential, she is being provided with a club apartment, as well as a full-time salary. Lisa’s will head out to Postdam in July for the start of their pre-season.

Lisa Evans' direct style attracted Turbine Postdam's interest (c) Ger Harley | SportPix

Commenting on Lisa’s move, City Club Manager, Laura Montgomery said: "It is with mixed emotions that we lose Lisa. Her leaving is undoubtedly sad as she is a vital person to the club, not just in her ability, but also in terms of her importance in the make-up of the team and her relationship with her team mates as this is a very happy and close knit side, which she is a massive part of. We also are not professional and of course we receive no compensation whatsoever for having developed Lisa to help her be the player she is now to have achieved this move. It will be very challenging to replace her in the team, but no one player ever makes a side and I am sure whoever comes in to fill her role will step up to the mark. At the same time of being sad to lose Lisa from the side, I am thrilled for her personally. She has worked extremely hard to get this opportunity and it is absolutely wonderful to see her being able to realise the ambition of being a professional player. She is also a fantastic person, who is extremely grounded and I am sure she will go on to be a star of the Frauen Bundesliga. It is also great credit to her team mates and the coaching staff at Glasgow City that we have been able to play a massive part in Lisa’s development to assist in bringing about this opportunity. Playing in the Champions League is the biggest club showpiece in the world and if any players ever want to try and follow in Lisa’s footsteps it is obvious where these opportunities lie. I can only hope we can repeat last year’s performances in the Champions League and maybe even go one better. It would be nice though if we could avoid Potsdam and of course Lisa, this time around!" Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said: "I am filled with mixed emotions that Lisa leaves us, having known Lisa and her family for many years I can honestly say that the opportunity couldn't have happened for Lisa without the fantastic support of her family.  I used to coach Lisa on a one to one basis when she was just 14 years of age, in 2008 Lisa joined me at Glasgow City. Since then each year has brought a different memory, her first season when she helped the Reserve team to win the women's 2nd Division with a 100% record and the SWF League Cup was sensational. 2009 saw Lisa come back from a lengthy injury and make her first team debut. In 2010, Lisa established herself as a regular starter and won her first Premier League title. Last year saw Lisa become a full international, gain her second Premier League title, the Scottish Cup and finish the season as the clubs top goalscorer. Her performances in the Champions League caught the attention of Potsdam. Her performance against Valur away from home will stand out as a great memory for me as she bounced back from the unjust criticism of the first leg.  This season Lisa has added the Premier League Cup to her honours and become a regular national squad player and she now leaves us to join the German giants. When I look back at her progress I feel extremely proud that we have managed to play a part in her development. Sadly I will not only lose a top player but also a girl I have watched grow into a woman. Lisa will always remain a special person in my life and I hope when she looks back on her time at City it will be with great joy. I would like to think Lisa can be an inspiration to others who wish to follow in her footsteps.  Finally I can speak for the whole club in thanking Lisa for the contribution she has made in her time with us and wishing her all the best in her future."

Source: FOOTYMAD