It is said that ‘change is as good as a rest’ and for Laura Coombs, who celebrates her 31st birthday today, it proved a catalyst in her City career.
A summer signing in 2019, the midfielder’s maiden campaign in sky blue did not quite turn out as hoped: hampered by an early injury before the season was ended early due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The timing coincided with the dawning of a new era for City, as Nick Cushing departed for New York City and Gareth Taylor was installed at the helm, and it also sparked an upturn in fortunes for Coombs.
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“I had come in [to 2020/21 pre-season] with a fresh mindset,” she reflected. “Having had such a long time off with the COVID-19 pandemic, I’d had a lot of time to think and reflect on who I wanted to be, where I wanted to be...
“It put me in a good stead. I felt good in training and took that into games and I just knew it was going to be a different year for me.
“I always want to be known as a positive person who works hard every day.”
Since then, Coombs has forged a regular sport in the starting XI with Taylor having often spoken highly of the midfielder’s technical ability, while her peers regard her as an ‘unsung hero’ in the squad - her work ethic and sunny personality key traits.
Of her six City goals, three were Goal of the Season contenders in the 2020/21 campaign, as she enjoyed a fruitful period to demonstrate her capabilities.
However, an incredibly humble person, she prefers to stay out of the limelight, letting her football do the talking.
This season, she has started 14 of our 21 games at the heart of midfield. Signing a new deal in May 2021, she declared the best is yet to come!
On a restful day off, we accompanied Coombsy on a walk around Heaton Park. View the best snaps in our gallery below...
