Lenna Gunning-Williams: The Story Of Spurs Promising Young Talent

Image: Lenna Gunning-Williams at her most recent England U23 camp. Credit: @Lennagw on Instagram

By Sophie Hodson (29/10/2024)

Lenna Gunning-Williams is a professional English footballer born on the 5th of February 2005 who grew up in Enfield, North London. The 19-year old has had a lifelong love for football, playing for both boy's and girls sides throughout her journey and now playing for the North London side, Tottenham Hotspur.

From the age of 3, Gunning-Williams has adored football and participated in the sport. The CBeebies TV show ‘Jamie Johnson’ saw her star as ‘Jack’, a show which created a footballing environment within acting for Gunning-Williams who performed on this series for several years.

Growing up, the striker enjoyed playing football in the park, and for her local academy boys side, this was very beneficial to her development as it constantly offered new challenges. As she got older, she eventually switched to a girls' academy which opened up new and exciting opportunities.

At age 16, Gunning-Williams signed for Spurs and progressed through their academy creating a name for herself. Despite studying for her A levels at the time, she excelled through the academy, receiving the league's top scorer commendation in the 21/22 season from 22 appearances and 24 goals.

Additionally, her time playing for the U21 side saw her score an incredible 38 goals in 39 games which presented her as a standout player to the first team. As a result, Gunning-Williams was invited on the first team's pre-season tour in Louisville ahead of the 22/23 title campaign. During this season, she went on to make her first team debut in November 2022, where she scored a late header in a 5-1 victory over Coventry United within the Women’s League Cup. She then went on to gain 5 more first team appearances across the FA Cup, the WSL and the League Cup in the 22/23 season.

In July 2023, she signed her first professional contract with the North london side at 18 years old. Gunning-Williams then went on to sign with Ipswich Town Women on loan from Spurs. This was a successful season for the young baller who became the team's second highest goal scorer with 14 goals in all competitions. Furthermore, she scored her first senior hat trick against Sutton Coldfield Town in the FA Cup on the 27th November 2023.

After a breakthrough season, Gunning-Williams returned to the North London side. She exclaimed on her social media that she was “over the moon” to be signing with The Lilywhites and “can’t wait to get started”. As of October 2024, she has since got minutes for the first team, joined a partnership with VERSUS and Nike

, and has received her first international call up. The 19-year old was selected in the England U23 side, where the nation will be competing against European sides, Netherlands and Portugal.

Gunning-Williams has given us an evident insight into the talent she has to offer and is looking to become an exciting star in the future for club and country!