From Liverpool to Wembley via Italy and Birmingham; it has been quite a journey for Blues left-back Paige Williams.
The 22-year-old joined Marc Skinner’s revolution in February, ahead of the FA WSL 1 Spring Series, after spending two years on the Continent.
Williams had always wanted to play abroad and achieved notable success during her time away, winning two trophies with Brescia before playing in the Champions League with Verona.
And now the former Everton defender has more silverware in her sights after helping Birmingham reach Saturday’s SSE Women’s FA Cup Final, where they will face FA WSL 1 champions Manchester City.
Williams said: “I really want to go and win it. You may as well finish last if you’re going to finish second because you haven’t won anything.
“Yeah, you’ve had the chance to play at Wembley, but we want to win that Cup.
“I’d been away for a while so to come back and within a few months be heading off to Wembley for a Cup Final is something I could only dream of.
“I can’t wait for it. We’re all ready and raring to go.”
Williams was a part of the Everton squad that finished runners-up to Arsenal in 2014, though an ACL injury rendered her unavailable for the Final.
She was in the Toffees’ centre of excellence when they won the competition in 2010 – and attended the Final at the City Ground with former club mate Nikita Parris, who she will be in direct opposition with on Saturday.
“I was just a kid in the stands then,” Williams recalled.
“I was sitting with Alex Greenwood and Nikita Parris and I remember saying to them, ‘Girls, this is unbelievable’.
“I was only 15, but now I’m going to be playing in that same Final. It makes all the work and all the rehab worthwhile.”
She continued: “We can’t underestimate the size of the task ahead of us. City are a fantastic side.
