by Staff Writer
Thursday, 14th August 2025
Katie O’Hanlon returned to Chadwell Heath for pre-season training on 21 July with West Ham United’s women’s team.
The young goalkeeper, who progressed through the club’s Professional Game Academy, signed her first professional contract recently after loan spells with Hashtag United and Billericay Town.
Despite the step up to the Women’s Super League, O’Hanlon insists she feels grounded and focused, saying her role remains much the same.
She and her teammates are aiming to build on last season’s record-breaking campaign, which saw the Hammers achieve their highest-ever home WSL points and wins in a single season.
Manager Rehanne Skinner has pushed the squad to return sharper and stronger, something O’Hanlon has noticed in training. She feels the team’s early sharpness has shortened the usual “teething stage” after the summer break, allowing them to move quickly into technical and tactical work.
West Ham begin their WSL campaign away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 7 September, followed by a home derby against Arsenal on Friday 12 September.
Facing Spurs first, O’Hanlon believes the fixture brings an extra competitive edge. “We’re driven every game, but everyone wants to beat Spurs," she said. "We’re happy, but we’re working towards it bit by bit.”
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