Posh add experienced midfielder as preparations continue
Peterborough United Women have announced the capture of Alice Higginbottom, the 22-year-old midfielder who joins from Loughborough Lightning. The move, confirmed on Thursday, is the club’s fifth signing of the summer as manager Jake Poole builds a squad to compete in the National Northern Premier Division next season.
Higginbottom arrives with recent experience in the same tier Posh will contest. Last season she made 30 appearances for Loughborough, scoring nine goals, and played in a 1-0 friendly victory for Peterborough against Queens Park Rangers at the weekend.
For a city still discovering its place in the women's game, the recruitment underlines an ambition to assemble a competitive side able to establish itself at the third-tier level. Poole said the coaching team had tracked Higginbottom and valued her attitude and technical attributes.
"Alice is a player that, as a coaching staff, we have admired for a while. She brings a tremendous work ethic and a desire to improve and is blessed with lots of natural ability."
Higginbottom gave a clear indication of her motives for joining the Posh, citing familiarity with the management and a desire to continue her development.
"I am super excited to sign for Posh! Already knowing the management staff, it felt exciting to continue my development under them. I really like the direction that the club is heading in and I can't wait to get started."
Her arrival follows those of Romy Saunders, Ellie May, Crista Ganado and Camille Jenkins, adding to the spine and depth of a squad that will aim to be competitive from the outset. The club has been active in the transfer market as it adapts to the demands of the National Northern Premier Division, where physicality and consistency are prerequisites for a successful campaign.
- Player: Alice Higginbottom
- Age: 22
- From: Loughborough Lightning
- Last season: 30 appearances, 9 goals
The immediate context is encouraging for supporters: Higginbottom has already been involved in pre-season fixtures and featured in the win at QPR, suggesting she will integrate quickly. For Poole, adding players with direct experience of this level narrows the acclimatisation period often required for newly promoted or restructured teams.
| Signing | Notes |
|---|---|
| Alice Higginbottom | Midfielder; from Loughborough Lightning; 30 apps, 9 goals last season |
| Romy Saunders | Summer arrival (details previously announced) |
| Ellie May | Unveiled earlier this week |
| Crista Ganado | Summer arrival |
| Camille Jenkins | Summer arrival |
While recruitment is important, the club’s challenge will be to turn these signings into cohesion on the pitch. The National Northern Premier Division represents a step up in intensity and quality from many county-level competitions; success will depend on fitness, tactical clarity and squad balance.
For Peterborough supporters, the summer additions offer reasons for cautious optimism. The signings so far suggest a deliberate strategy of blending youth and experience, and of recruiting players who have operated at the same level the club now aspires to consolidate in. Pre-season fixtures will be the first real test of how these components come together.
As preparations continue through July and into August, attention will turn to how quickly the new recruits adapt to Poole’s methods and whether further signings are forthcoming. For now, Higginbottom’s arrival is the most tangible indicator yet of Peterborough United Women’s intent to make their mark in the coming campaign.
