Tottenham Hotspur Women are having a pretty great season, at least compared with last year. Whereas last season’s team finished just above bottom of the table and avoided relegation from the WSL, this
season Spurs are flying, fifth in the table and tied with Arsenal Women, two points from 2nd place with 19 points from 10 matches.
One of the players who has emerged as a dominant presence in Spurs’ midfield is veteran midfielder Drew Spence. On Wednesday, she was rewarded with a new contract described as “long term” by the club.
Here’s what Spurs manager Martin Ho had to say about Spence and her new contract in the official news release on Tottenham’s website.
“Drew has fully earned this new contract. What sets Drew apart is not just how she plays, but how she behaves. She leads by example every single day. Her work ethic is unwavering, her competitiveness is infectious and her willingness to take responsibility has become a benchmark for others. Her personality carries weight in this group, she brings experience, honesty and a calm authority that strengthens the entire environment.
“She adds huge value to our young players who look to her, and equally to our senior players who respect her presence and consistency. Drew is a connector in the dressing room, a driver on the pitch and a person who embodies what we want this club to represent.
“This new deal isn’t just a reward for her performances, it’s a statement about her growth, her leadership, and her importance to the future of this team.”
Spence is 33, certainly not a spring chicken, but I’ve noticed that the cliff sometimes comes later for woman-identifying athletes than it does for men. Normally announcing a “long term” contract for a 33-year-old might raise some eyebrows, but Spence has been a rock for Martin Ho this season and is having a very good year, anchoring Spurs’ midfield and putting in some extremely solid performances. And also in the WSL, “long term contract” can mean anything from 2-5 seasons, with the average contract often lasting 1-2 years. Is Spence going to be a long-term player at Tottenham? I suspect not, but she’s certainly a fantastic midfielder for right now. In discussion with Carty Free’s woso specialist Abbie about this, she suggested that Spence also had a number of low-mileage seasons when she was younger and playing for Chelsea, which could be a factor in extending her career as well.
So I’m good with this extension and am happy to keep Drew around for longer. Congrats!
