As former England youth international Flo Allen reminisces about the challenging task of keeping up with a young Lauren Hemp during training, her expression mixes awe with a hint of trepidation. Allen, who played alongside Hemp at Norwich’s centre of excellence and later at Bristol City in the Women’s Super League, understands this better than most.
“I had the privilege of marking her throughout my childhood,” Allen laughs. “Her speed was astonishing, even at under-10s, and her left foot was simply remarkable.”
Allen, now Norwich women’s general manager, eagerly anticipates the Euro 2025 qualifier at Carrow Road on Friday. The 23-year-old Manchester City winger will return home as England takes on the Republic of Ireland.
Allen has known Hemp since she was eight and recalls her unique style of play. “Lauren was unlike anyone we’d seen: direct, powerful, and dynamic,” she says. “At 13, we even designed a corner routine around her because no one could get close to her.”
Allen and Hemp joined Bristol City in 2016 as teenagers, where senior players quickly noticed Hemp’s talent. “She would dribble around everyone in training, as if the ball was attached to her left foot,” Allen remembers. “We teased her about her left foot, and soon enough, she was scoring with her right.”
Hemp, hailing from North Walsham in Norfolk, moved to Bristol City to further her career. England’s technical staff had long monitored her progress. Kay Cossington, the Football Association’s women’s technical director, recalls being informed about Hemp’s potential. “Ian Thornton, Norwich’s technical director, insisted I see her play. She quickly stood out,” Cossington says.
“Many talented players don’t make it, but Lauren loved the game. She enjoyed playing and never seemed pressured. She was shy and quiet off the pitch but transformed when playing.”
Thornton and his wife Jackie, who worked at Norwich’s girls’ centre of excellence, were emotional when Hemp scored at Wembley in 2022. “We thought: ‘We did well with this one!’ And then she scored, and we were crying,” Thornton says. “Lauren was small, fast, tenacious, and very coachable. Off the pitch, she was respectful and a team player. On the pitch, she was aggressive and goal-focused.”
At the under-15 level, Hemp was moved to the boys’ program to further challenge her. “We needed the game to be faster and more physical for her,” Thornton explains. “She thrived in the boys’ program.”
Thornton takes pride in seeing former players succeed in various careers, but there’s something special about seeing one win the Euros, a feat Hemp aims to repeat next year.
Allen hopes the Carrow Road crowd will be inspired to support women’s football. Norwich is proud of developing professional women’s players like Hemp, Allen, Leicester City’s Aimee Palmer, and former WSL title-winning goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill.
Their senior team finished second in the south-east region of the fourth tier last season, training twice a week. “This season, over 60% of our first-team players will have progressed through our pathway,” Allen says. “Our goal is for top talent like Lauren to stay and play for our first team. We aim to make our mark on women’s football.”
