by Sam Hawcroft
A 15-year-old Holderness Academy pupil has rounded off a standout football season with cup success, 21 goals and an invitation to trial with Hull City Academy.
Lily Shipstone helped the East Riding School Girls team retain the Champions Cup with a 4-0 win over York Schools in the final at Leeds United’s Thorp Arch training ground.
She scored twice and set up the other two goals as East Riding completed their successful defence of the trophy.
Lily has also enjoyed a strong season at club level with Doncaster Belles, finishing as leading scorer for the under-15s Yellows with 21 goals and collecting several player of the match awards along the way.
The season has followed a comeback from a knee injury last year.
Her father, Martin Shipstone, said: “I am proud of what she’s done.
“She was a bit down when she did her knee but she’s come back really strongly. I can’t fault her for her commitment.”
Lily’s football journey began at primary school, where she regularly played with the boys.
Martin said: “She’s competitive. She played at primary school and used to play with the boys all the time.
“She used to go swimming a lot, and she was a good swimmer, but after Covid she said, ‘I’m just going to do my football.’”
Martin, who has played sport all his life, said some of that competitive streak had probably come from him.
He said: “The good thing about Lily is she knows where the goal is, and she’ll put it in from anywhere. She’s really clinical when she scores.
“I keep telling her she still needs to work hard off the ball, but she knows where the goal is.”
Lily is now preparing for a trial with Hull City Academy this month, which comes at the end of what has been her most successful season so far.
The senior leadership team at Holderness Academy said: “We are incredibly proud of Lily and all she has achieved this year. Her success on the football pitch is a testament to her dedication, perseverance and resilience.
“To come back from injury and perform at such a high level is truly impressive. Lily is a fantastic ambassador for the school and embodies our values of aspiration and resilience.
“We wish her every success with her upcoming Hull City Academy trial and look forward to following her future achievements.”
PE teacher Luke Moulds said: “Lily is an outstanding young footballer who has developed significantly over the past year.
“She combines natural ability with a strong work ethic and a determination to improve, which has helped her take her game to another level.
“She approaches both training and matches with maturity and commitment, and her dedication to continuous improvement has been a key factor in her success.
“It has been a pleasure to see her progress, and the recognition she is receiving is thoroughly deserved.
“I look forward to following her continued development and seeing what she achieves in the years ahead.”