London City Lionesses forward Freya Godfrey says the side are ready to “cause an upset” in their WSL opener against Arsenal.
It has been a whirlwind few months for London City Lionesses. Fresh from their historic promotion to the Women’s Super League (WSL) and nearing the end of a very busy summer transfer window, it is clear that the club is preparing for its biggest season yet. And one of its most exciting young talents is right at the heart of it.
Freya Godfrey, a graduate of Arsenal’s academy and a current England youth international, who spent half of last season on loan with London City, has put pen to paper and made her move a permanent one, joining The Pride on a three-year deal.
London City Lionesses forward Freya Godfrey speaks exclusively to The Halfway Line about promotion, her permanent move across London, and a dramatic opening-day reunion with Arsenal.
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London City promotion ‘an incredible feeling’ says Godfrey
Casting her mind back to May 2025, when London City Lionesses made history, becoming the first independent women’s team to gain promotion to the WSL, Godfrey spoke of the team’s mentality during their final day decider, which saw them overcome Birmingham City, 2-1 to top the table.
“I always thought that we were going to do it. I don’t think there was anyone that doubted that we would actually do it,” Godfrey said. “That feeling when the final whistle went, that feeling of relief, the feeling that we just accomplished for a club who’s been around for less than ten years, and we’ve gained promotion to the WSL. It was an incredible feeling.”
She spoke of the close-knit nature of the squad, and how it felt to win the Barclays Women’s Championship (now WSL2) together.
“We were such a close group last year,” Godfrey said. “We were a family. To be able to do it with people around you that have so much love for these people… on the pitch, off the pitch, the staff, the players, everyone… it was an incredible feeling.”
Godfrey confirmed that gaining promotion was a big factor in her decision to leave her childhood club behind, and stay with this team.
“What we created and what the club was looking to do in the future and keep building on, the ambition of it, the feeling of winning, which I think is what this club is going to keep on doing. I think that was a big draw for me.”
Looking ahead to her first full season in the top flight, Godfrey emphasised the challenge of stepping up a level.
“I think the challenge of it, playing against such a high calibre of players,” she said. “You’ve got World Cup winners, Euros winners, Champions League wines, so there’s going to be a lot of competition. For me personally, it’s a big step up and a big challenge, one that I haven’t faced before really consistently.”
When asked what qualities she hopes to showcase on the pitch this season, Godfrey pointed to her athleticism.
“On the transition, my pace and power to drive forward in the counterattacks,” Godfrey explained. “I’m really looking forward to trying to help the team in that way.”
Godfrey ‘always looked up to’ Nikita Parris
This summer has also brought in an influx of high-profile signings into the London City Lionesses’ squad, including some of the most recognisable names in women’s football.
“We’ve made some incredible signings,” said Godfrey. “Obviously you’ve got Danielle van de Donk, who is just an incredibly high-profile player. But I think for me personally,Nikita Parris… I always looked up to her a lot when I was younger, growing up. Seeing how electric she is, how fast she is, and being around her and seeing her character and how driven she is for this team and this club to do well. I’m really excited to hopefully link up with her on the pitch.”
Pre-season, she admitted, has given the team the needed time to acclimatise to each other’s playing styles.
“Of course, there’s always going to be an adjustment period when we’re building a project like we are,” said Godfrey. “Obviously there’s been a lot of new players coming in, so we have to adjust to each other, get used to each other, and they have to learn how we play, the style of play, the game plan.”
“But you can see the calibre of the players we’ve got on the training pitch, training is incredible. The standard of it is just a higher level than we’ve ever experienced before, I think. It’s definitely exciting. Obviously, there is an adjustment period, but that’s what pre-season is for.”
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London City ready to shock WSL opponents says Godfrey
The club’s sense of ambition is something that Godfrey believes will define London City in their debut WSL campaign.
“I think the thing that will set us apart is that we’re aware there’s no expectations on us,” she explained. “And I think we are relishing that. We’re enjoying the fact that we are going to prove everyone wrong, that we’re not just going to be fighting relegation. We’re going to be competing.”
She paused before adding with a smile, “I think that’s what’s exciting, to be in this environment where what everyone’s excited about is to shock everyone. We’re ready, and I think a lot of teams are going to get a bit of a shock when they play us.”
The manager, Jocelyn Precheur, alongside his coaching staff, has been reinforcing the ‘no pressure’ message, but while also preparing the players for the increased level of competition.
“They’ve been making us aware that obviously it’s going to be a bigger challenge than last year,” said Godfrey. “But also we have players who are used to playing at this level. They’re incredible players to learn from and get experiences from.”
It’s not only on the pitch where London City want to make an impact. With women’s football attracting more and more attention each season, Godfrey believes her team offer something unique for post-Euros fans in search of a club to follow.
“Our games are going to be exciting,” she said. “We’re going to be playing against big teams, big players, and we also have big players playing for us. The games are always really fun to come to. You know, we get DJs, we get fan zones and stuff like that. It’s definitely an incredible atmosphere.
“It’s an empowering place to be, especially being an independent club… And yeah, especially if people don’t have a men’s team affiliation, definitely come down and have a look, see how they enjoy it and I’m sure they’ll be back many times.”
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Godfrey ‘excited’ to return to Emirates Stadium
The fixture list has thrown up a dramatic opener for Godfrey: a trip to the Emirates to face Arsenal, the club whose academy she came up through.
“It’s going to be strange being at the Emirates with the fans not behind me,” she admitted. “It’s definitely going to be an interesting experience, but it’s something that I’m excited about. It’ll be nice to go back and see people so soon.”
Godfrey did not hold back when discussing her team’s ambitions for their first matchday in the WSL:
“As a team, we are so excited to be playing there. Everyone knows how incredible of a place it is. The atmosphere is going to be good, first game of the season, and we’re going to be ready to try and cause an upset, which is very exciting.”
The Arsenal academy graduate knows better than most what to expect from the fans in the stands.
“Arsenal fans themselves have a reputation,” Godfrey said. “Arsenal as a club has a reputation of consistently selling out the Emirates, which is obviously an incredible thing. It will be an incredible experience, especially for us younger players who maybe haven’t faced crowds that big. It’s definitely going to be a learning experience for a lot of people. So yeah, I think everyone’s excited for it.”
When asked whether she’d shared any inside knowledge from her time in North London, she laughed, “No, we haven’t got to that point yet, we’re still in preseason, so we’re taking it week by week. Who knows? We’ll see what happens.”
But she was clear, that Arsenal, and the rest of the WSL, will present a major challenge.
“Of course, Arsenal will be coming off the back of their Champions League win, so the club as a whole will be on a high. That will be a challenge,” she explained. “And obviously you’ve got Chelsea, who have won the league how many times in a row now? So they’ll be looking to do it again.
“There are a lot of teams who have been building and who are going to be pushing to compete, like we are. Everyone’s going to be on it this year and I think it’s going to be an exciting league to be a part of.”
As the conversation came to a close, Godfrey was asked to sum up London City Lionesses ahead of their first WSL season, in just three words. Her answer came instantly.
“Ambition, courage, and fight.”
Those three words seem to perfectly sum up this club as they head into their new chapter, determined to make waves and seize the opportunity. For Godfrey, the Emirates may be a familiar setting, but she will walk out on opening day in new colours, ready to test herself in a new league. And with the ambition, courage, and fight she spoke of, she and London City Lionesses are determined to show the world where they belong.