Loyal Western Pride footballer tells why she’s staying on

The gritty police officer has decided to play on after long-time husband Trent resigned unexpectedly. Western Pride footballer determined to help team progress.

Dependable Western Pride footballer Lisa Gregson. Picture: David Lems

When you are married to the coach and he steps down suddenly, it can test your club loyalty.

For Western Pride utility footballer Lisa Gregson, such a late season challenge meant business as usual.

The gritty police officer has decided to play on after long-time husband Trent resigned unexpectedly earlier this month.

Despite guiding Western Pride to Friday night’s Kappa Cup grand final, Trent made the call to stand down after some differences in approach on how the team should move forward.

However, Lisa has soldiered on with trademark determination to help Pride surprise Lions in the grand final before resuming their quest to regain a spot in year’s National Premier Leagues women’s competition.

“At the end of the day I’m still a player and I’m loyal to my teammates,’’ Lisa said, after Pride’s latest 4-0 win over The Gap.

Aged 32, Lisa hinted she was running out of time to play higher level football.

However, after being married to Trent for seven years and with him for 17 years, she had no desire to finish this season prematurely.

“I just want to keep playing for my team and whatever that looks like moving forward, I’m happy to be that person,’’ she said.

“I just hope that shows my character and I just love my football and I just want to be here and be part of it.’’

As for Trent without a coaching gig, she said: “He is very bored but he’ll be right.

“He’ll find something to do.’’

Gritty Western Pride footballer Lisa Gregson takes a corner kick against Brisbane City in the at the Briggs Road Sporting Complex this season. Picture: Christina Moran

The former Coomera Brisbane Premier League footballer has enjoyed a stint in the NPLW competition before Pride dropped to the Football Queensland Premier League 1 series for the second part of the season.

“I’m loving stepping up,’’ she said.

“I’m a shift worker (in the police force) so I’ve never been able to play at this level.

“I’ve taken on a different role at work which has allowed me a bit of free time and it’s nice stepping up, getting fitter and stronger before I hand the torch over, have one last hit-out.’’

Gregson said Pride’s latest 4-0 premiership win over The Gap provided another opportunity to build confidence ahead of some important games.

“It’s always challenging coming against those young guns,’’ she said. “They are always nice and fit and fast and as an older girl, you appreciate that and you give them the respect further at the same time.

“You’ve got to go hard and I think we went out there and did that tonight.’’

Lisa played in the midfield as Pride comfortably overpowered The Gap to keep their NPLW hopes alive for next season.

“I’m moving around a little bit at the end of the season,’’ she said.

“I’ve pretty much been a utility player - wherever the team needs me and happy to fill that role.’’

She has played in all 17 matches this season, scoring a goal.

“I got a bit of a ripper against Pen Power and it was nice to get up that end of the field,’’ she said.

Pride will be without workhorse Kate Webb for the knockout competition grand final and the rest of the season after she suffered serious damage to her left knee in the previous match.

However, Pride go into the final with sharpshooter Abbey Lloyd in hot form.

Hat-trick specialist Abbey Lloyd. Picture: Christina Moran

Western Pride’s leading all-time goal-getter netted another hat-trick on Saturday night at the Briggs Road Sporting Complex.

“She’s famous for it now. She’s got the most goals for Western Pride ever for women so very happy to play alongside her,’’ Gregson said.

Captain Meaghan McElligott scored the other goal at their home venue.

Friday night’s Kappa Cup grand final is against NPLW champions Lions in Brisbane.

In the semi-finals, Lions beat Logan 6-1 as Western Pride overpowered home side Brothers Townsville 6-0.

“It’s a tough one,’’ Gregson said of the Kappa Cup decider.

“They (Lions) are coming off a really big win - 11-0 against Moreton Bay - and we really need to step up but we’ve versed them before.

“We had a really good game against them last time so I think they might be cautious of us.

“We really do have a big of grunt about us and I think hat’s our strength.’’

Speaking of tenacity, Gregson is up with the best on the field, picking herself up quickly after getting knocked down.

“As long as I keep bouncing back up, we’re all good,’’ she said, with a laugh.