MK Dons Women’s goalkeeper, Darcy Guy, has been selected as part of the England College FA (ECFA) squad for the 2022/23 season.
Guy, 18, has been involved in England Regional Camps since 2015 but, after impressing at the trials last month and catching the eye of ECFA head coach Keith Boanas, she now has an opportunity to represent England in a fixture.
Upon her selection, Darcy told mkdons.com: “I feel incredibly proud to be selected for the English Colleges FA. Since I joined MK Dons, I have been working hard to challenge myself to have the opportunity to play at the highest level possible.
“I have thrived off the opportunities already presented this season, making my competitive debut for the first-team, and featuring in the FA Women’s National League Cup.
“That, along with the full-time contact I have received at the college programme, has helped me to take my game up to the next level, and I will continue to look to grab every opportunity that comes my way, in order to achieve my goals.”
Guy, who grew up in Bletchley, started her football journey at the other end of the pitch, as a striker for City Belles between Under-8s until Under-10s. She was then approached by the Dons, where she made the switch from goal-scorer in order to focus on a route down the goalkeeping path.
Her progression with the Dons has been admirable, progressing from the RTC (Under-13 – Under-16s) into the senior squad, and has excelled forward this season, making her competitive FAWNL debut in a hard-earned 1-1 draw away to Bridgwater United, alongside her FAWNL Cup bow in a 11-2 win over Chesham United.
MK Dons Women Goalkeeper Coach, Ethan Wallbank, commented: “Darcy is one of the most driven individuals that I have had the pleasure of working with over the past few years.
“She continues to push herself everyday within training, both for the college programme and with the seniors. To add to this, Darcy has shown her drive through her dedication to reviewing her performance, and completing a regular gym programme away from training, to further develop both her understanding and her physical side of the game.
“I have been fortunate enough to work with Darcy since Under-14s, and during this spell I have seen her mature both as a person, and as a player, continuing to show remarkable improvement across all aspects of her game, particularly since stepping into the senior environment.
“I am confident that with her hardworking attitude, Darcy will continue to gain more opportunities, like being chosen to represent the ECFA. As a collective, we are incredibly proud of Darcy for this achievement, and will continue to support as best as possible to take every opportunity presented to her.”
Alongside playing for the first-team, and Under-23s, Guy also made the transition across from Moulton College to the MK Dons Sport and Education Trust’s Under-19s Football & Education programme back in September.
The programme, which runs in partnership with MK College, has allowed Guy to follow a similar schedule to a professional, training up to four times a week.
MK Dons Women’s Head Coach, Charlie Bill, told mkdons.com: “It is so pleasing that in year one of this dual programme we have seen one of our players step up to the national squad.
“Full credit has to go to Darcy, though. I have seen her transition from the RTC up to the Women's Under-23s and senior squads and she has worked incredibly hard over the past few years in our set up to continue to improve and work hard to become the best player possible.
“Darcy is such a driven individual and a pleasure to coach on a daily basis. Her development has been superb since being in full time contact with us and we are proud to have her represent us on a national level.”
He added: “This call up is exactly what Darcy deserves and I have no doubt this is just the start of opportunities she will gain.”
Photos captured by CTFPhotography
