Many players dream of representing the club they have always supported, as well as playing in prestigious cup finals for top sides. Lily-May Jackson has ticked both off her list before her 17th birthday.
16-year-old midfielder Lily-May Jackson took a dive into senior football this season for the first time, a decision that was daunting but felt perfect at the time. Jackson’s quality was clear from the very beginning – trials in several places led her to Sheffield Wednesday Ladies, who were heavily recruiting after their promotion from the Sheffield & Hallamshire Women’s and Girls Division One.
Speaking to Jackson, she reflected on how proud she was of herself, and how signing for such a significant club in the local area meant so much to her family of Wednesdayites.
“When Sheffield Wednesday offered me a place in their first team, I knew it was the club for me to start my senior journey because I’m an owl at heart and the previous season they had just been promoted. I saw it as a positive opportunity.
“In fact, I started my football career at Sheffield Wednesday Ladies Juniors. At that point, playing for the Owlesses was always something I looked up to. I do believe playing football is about playing for the badge on your shirt and to get this opportunity just meant a lot to me and my family.”
For any player, taking the step into senior football, especially at 16, with most players continuing in the junior leagues until the age-of-18, is difficult. However, Jackson truly believed that playing alongside a blend of young and experienced players, she was able to settle in quickly.
“At first being the youngest there was definitely a step up, I didn’t really know what to expect to be fair, but there were so many people that I looked up to that helped me settle.
“The managing staff were also there and supported me through a lot in my first part of the season. But I really think having players with a range of experience at the club helped me learn and build myself as a footballer.”
The move to Rotherham United Women
Jackson’s growth with the Owlesses was rapid, becoming a prominent member of the squad that would then go on to confirm their survival in the NERWFL South Division. Her ambition kicked in, and she realised that a place higher up the football pyramid could help her reach her true potential… in came Rotherham United Women. Jackson joined the Millers partway through the 2024/25 season, which saw her have to, yet again, deal with another jump in quality.
“Obviously Rotherham’s first team is a tier higher than Wednesday and they were pushing for promotion, and at that point they had only lost one league game so it was definitely going to be a chance to step up my game and give myself the next challenge.
“I knew a few talented players before I joined Rotherham which definitely helped in that movement. At first I had a few meetings with the coach and he talked me through how I would be able to fit into the team. From there I set myself a target of trying to get myself in the starting line up by the end of the season.
“I don’t think I would have been able to do this without working hard and trying to improve on feedback from other players with more experience and from all the coaching staff.
“The step up was definitely different at Rotherham compared to Wednesday and think from that you can see the difference in the tiers. At Rotherham, we have VEO analysis which I think is so important for the team week-in week-out because you have bits picked out of games by the attacking coach on what went well or maybe not so well. That definitely helped me from a reflection point of view to then be able to try new things in the next game.
“But at Rotherham it definitely is a competitive side and if you wanted to make the squad you had to work hard throughout the week not just with regards to the training but also the attitude and mentality had an impact. These things pushed me as a player and a person knowing that there is always something you can do to improve and work harder.”
Shining in the cup final with the Millers
Starting the season with very little direction in senior football, it shows how incredible the 2024/25 campaign was for Jackson, who finished it in the EMWRFL League Cup final, where she and Rotherham United Women faced off against league winners Sheffield FC. It was a difficult tie for the Millers, losing 2-0 to a resolute Club side, but she still saw the positives on such an achievement.
“For me I was just very grateful to be part of the team in the final and get a starting shirt. It meant a lot because that was a goal I set myself and it gives you a bit of a confidence boost knowing the manager recognises the work you put in. I know myself there are aspects of my game I can improve and throughout next season I really want to work on that by seeking feedback to push myself for opportunities like this.”
The future is bright for Jackson, and she is taking the left-field route via America to achieve her dreams of playing high up in the football pyramid, but not without another season in South Yorkshire to continue in her upwards trajectory.
“For me, football is my life. I couldn’t see a day without it. I’m with Go2 College Soccer at the end of next season 2026. I’m going to America for 4 years which really will give me the best opportunity to make it as far as I can. Them years will be critical to my journey and I just have to see where that takes me, whether it involves staying out in the States to continue football or coming back to the UK, I aim to play as high in the women leagues as I possibly can.
“I know it’s not going to be easy with how competitive the women’s game is turning out but I am going to put the work in and try to see where it takes me.”
