Lucy Jones: From WSL Debut to Derby County’s Last Line of Defence

Derby County Women are currently battling to retain their place in the Northern Premier Division of the FA Women’s National League and one player proving vital in that fight is goalkeeper Lucy Jones.

Still only 21, Jones has already experienced football at the highest level, spending several seasons within Birmingham City’s Women’s Super League environment before returning to Derby County ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Her performances have already been recognised with three Opposition Player of the Match awards this campaign, highlighting her growing influence between the posts. With the Rams fighting for survival, Jones’ form could prove crucial in the months ahead.

A Goalkeeper Through and Through

When asked whether she had always been drawn to the role between the posts, Jones answers without hesitation; “I have always been a goalkeeper.”

The position first came about almost by chance. Her older sister’s team needed someone to step in as goalkeeper and Jones was asked to give it a try. She never gave it up.

From that moment on, her father would regularly take her to the park to practise and help her improve. As the younger and, as she describes it, “crazier” sibling, Jones was always eager to join in with whatever her sister and the rest of the players were doing.

That enthusiasm quickly turned into a genuine love for the game.

In those early days, Jones remembers simply “flinging around” in goal, throwing herself at every shot and relishing the challenge of stopping the ball however she could. What began as a way to help out soon became the role she would grow to define herself by.

The Deciding Factor: Game Time

In modern football development, minutes on the pitch often matter more than the badge on the shirt.

As Danny Carr, founder of DC Sports and Talent, recently wrote: “Between the ages of 17–22, your currency is not the logo on your tracksuit, but your minutes.” For Jones, that message has resonated strongly.

Although being part of Birmingham City’s first-team setup was an incredible experience, the reality was that she spent much of that time on the bench. After discussions with her goalkeeper coach Tony Elliott, it became clear that regular playing time was the key to her development.

Together, they reached out to West Bromwich Albion, who were recruiting a goalkeeper at the time and it wasn’t long before the move was arranged. The deal was a dual registration, meaning Jones could play matches for West Brom while still training regularly with Birmingham and providing updates on her progress.

For a young goalkeeper, it was a vital opportunity to gain real match experience.

Balancing Education and Football

Alongside her football development, Jones was also committed to her education. At 16, she moved into Birmingham’s full-time programme while studying for her GCSEs.

“It was difficult,” she admits, “but I managed well and my school were so supportive. They helped me massively and I still came out with top grades.” She later studied A-levels in maths, biology and PE while remaining at her local sixth form. Balancing high-level football with demanding academic subjects meant a packed schedule.

“I only really went in twice a week, so there was a lot of catching up. It meant I was pretty much non-stop all week, but it was so rewarding to complete them alongside my football.”

Jones was accepted into university but ultimately decided to prioritise her football career. “Football felt like a now-or-never decision. University is always something I can revisit later in life.”

A Moment She’ll Never Forget

One of the biggest milestones in Jones’ career came during the 2021/22 season.

Being part of Birmingham City’s first-team environment at such a young age already felt surreal, from warming up on the pitch with top-quality players to being treated like everyone else, but the opportunity to make her WSL debut made it unforgettable.

Jones had been named on the bench against Leicester City and, like most goalkeepers in that position, had little expectation of actually entering the game.

“I remember warming up like normal when my teammate turned me around and told me that Emily Ramsey had been sent off and that I was coming on.” Suddenly the coaches were calling her over, asking if she was ready. “I knew that this was my moment.”

Making her WSL debut at just 16 years old was a moment Jones says she will always cherish.

England Recognition

The following season brought another major milestone; Jones received her first England Under-18 call-up during the 2022/23 campaign, making her debut against Portugal.

Breaking into England’s youth pathway reflected the progress she had made during her time at Birmingham, both with the first team and while gaining minutes with the club’s Under-21 side.

Reaching the PGA FA Cup final with the Birmingham development squad and competing against some of the country’s biggest academies helped demonstrate the level she was capable of performing at.

Those experiences, she says, helped open the door for clubs such as West Brom and Derby to give her opportunities at senior level.

A Season to Remember

Despite her growing list of achievements, when asked about her favourite season so far, Jones points to the 2021/22 campaign.

“I was selected into the first team at 16 years old to work alongside Emily Ramsey and Marie Hourihan,” she recalls.

“To make bench appearances against teams like Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, then go on to make my WSL debut, it was incredible.”

The season also saw her development squad reach the FA Cup final and provided countless learning experiences. It wasn’t without its challenges either.

“I also had my first major injury that season, which taught me a lot and made me very grateful for everything I’ve been lucky enough to achieve.”

The Gap Between Leagues

Having experienced both WSL and FAWNL environments, Jones has seen the differences first-hand.

“At Birmingham we used the same facilities as the men,” she explains. “The quality of pitches, the gym, the food, it all makes a huge difference to helping players perform.”

Fortunately for Jones, the transition to Derby hasn’t meant a major drop in facilities.

Derby’s women’s team also train at Moor Farm alongside the men’s setup, giving players access to strong resources including the gym, indoor pitch and training areas.

However, Jones is aware that not every team across the FAWNL is as fortunate.

“The funding in the women’s game has improved so much, but there’s still a long way to go,” she says. “Some clubs don’t get the same funding or facilities, which makes it really difficult for them to thrive.”

A Full-Circle Moment

Returning to Derby County represented something special for Jones.

As a child growing up in a family of Derby supporters, the club had always been close to home. Signing for the Rams’ first team was, in many ways, a full-circle moment 10 years down the line after becoming her debut team at u10 level.

Now in her second season with the club, she is playing a key role as Derby fight to maintain their place in the Northern Premier Division.

The Biggest Lesson

If there is one lesson Jones has taken from her journey so far, it is that football rarely follows the same path for everyone.

“The biggest lesson is that everyone’s journey is different and that’s okay,” she says.

“My parents always told me that just because someone is going at a different pace to you, it doesn’t define your journey.”

Instead, she has learned to focus on her own development.

“I just had to focus on myself and push to get to my best, regardless of what everyone else was doing around me.”

For a 21-year-old goalkeeper already with WSL, England youth and senior football experience behind her, Lucy Jones’ journey is only just developing.