On Tuesday 28 January 2020 we received the most devastating news that one of our former youth players Elise Wigg had tragically passed away aged 20.
Elise joined our football club in 2013, during the 2013-2014 Season. She already knew one or two of the girls in the team when she joined which helped her settle in and very quickly.
Although she became very confident and friendly with her teammates, she was less confident in her own football ability and feared letting her teammates down if she ever made a mistake, which at times made her quite anxious. This was a common theme amongst a few of the girls, but the culture of the football club was to just let the girls have fun and express themselves and to play without any fear. So regardless of whether we won, lost or drew, we always looked at the positives and worked on what we did well. That said the girls were a very talented group of players that all wanted to play for each other and that season Elise was part of the squad that won the County Cup and League Cup Finals to secure a cup double. To celebrate their success the Men’s team invited the squad to parade their trophies around their QE Stadium in front of their own supporters which was a great experience for them all.
Elise signed on again for the 2014-2015 season and the more Elise trained and played with a positive mind-set, the more expressive she was on the pitch and soon became settled in the position of Right Back. She was very tenacious and loved to tackle and although small in size not many players actually got the better of her. She was learning quickly and developing into a fine young player that she made this position her own and the number 2 shirt became her shirt.
Her former coach Chris Devine recalls one memory of that season was a game away to Brentford FC. “We turned up at the game and some of the girls noticed that Jamie Redknapp was at the ground. The girls were quite excited, but embarrassed at the same and asked me to ask him for a photo with them, with which he gladly obliged. One by one they started to ask him to autograph their football boots when Elise innocently said “that’s it, I’m not wearing them ever again”, forgetting she was due play in them an hour later! Anyway, she reluctantly wore them (she had no choice) and scored her first and only ever goal for the club, a 20 yard screamer from the edge of the box into the top corner. It was a great moment to watch as all the girls were celebrating with her pointing at her autographed boot”. I don’t think she quite believed what had just happened as she then came over to the touchline to give me a Steve a high five and said, “It was Jamie who scored it, It was Jamie”, “no Elise, I said, it was you”!
At the end of the season we were not sure how many girls would re-sign for 2015-2016 season as it was GCSE year. To our amazement everyone re-signed plus we signed a couple more too. Elise signed again for her third season and played a total of 6 games before deciding to leave in January 2016 to take a break from football. She joined us a shy anxious young girl and left us two years later a confident funny young lady.
Her sudden passing had shocked the whole football club and we have been inundated with messages from the football community across the whole country and we can’t thank everyone enough for their kind words.
Elise former Manager Steve Smith said “Elise, it was a pleasure to coach you as a player and get to know you as a person. RIP
Former team-mate Danielle said “The Elise I knew and played with was a lovely, kind and funny person. She brought so much light and laughter to the team. A life gone way too soon”
Former team-mates Macy and Eliza said “Elise, you will be hugely missed by everyone. Lots of love the Diaz twins. Rest in Peace”
Former team-mate Tamsin says “I love you unconditionally. I can’t wait until we are playing football together again. Team Tamsin and Elise forever”
Former team-mates Paige and Courteney said “Elise, we will miss you. Rest up until we meet again”
Elise will be sorely missed by everyone at the football club who knew her, played with her and coached her and she will always remain a part of the Enfield Town Ladies Family.
In Elise’s memory the First Team will be holding a minutes applause before their County Cup Match against Ashford Town (Middlesex) Women on Sunday 25th October 2020.
