It’s a heartbreaking moment as Clapton CFC women’s first team striker Teju Callisto is leaving the club at the end of the season due to work commitments.

After 18 goals in 14 games for the development team in the 2021/2022 season, she started to make a handful of first team appearances. However, it was the first day of the next season when Teju burst on the scene, with two goals and a player of the-match performance away at Denham United.

There was no stopping her from then on as she bagged 19 goals last season and 22 this season to be our women’s first team top scorer for two years in a row. She’s also our club top scorer this season. In total it’s been an astonishing haul of 41 goals in 48 competitive first team appearances.

Captain Verity Phillips said:

Teju has played a vital role in the success of the women’s teams at CCFC. Someone who showed huge commitment week on week, and progressed up from development team to become the top goal scorer for the women’s first team – incredible stuff. Teju is a big personality in the squad, always bringing a smile to our faces. We wish her all the best in the future and hope she continues to play – she’s too good not to!

Fellow attacker Emily Link added:

Teju has an unrivalled footballing ability. Her natural pace, the rarity of a beautiful left foot and her killer shots in front of goal. It’s been a pleasure to watch her confidence grow over the years and I will never forget her determination to score vital goals that turn games around. It might be goodbye for now, but I hope this is not the last time she wears a Clapton shirt because she is an incredibly special part of the club.

Head coach Jay Murray added:

In the short cameo spells Teju’s played since I joined, she always looked dangerous and incredibly powerful (and quite simply, unplayable). I wish I had had the opportunity to work with her even more.

Teju herself said:

I just wanna say thank you for the last four years. It’s been hectic. Thank you to the fans, the grounds keeping, the volunteers, the committees. Thank you for giving me a space to play freely and feel supported.

It’s the third big departure from the squad, after captain Verity Phillips decided to stop playing at the end of the season and Daisy Davis moved to Australia.

Thanks for all your efforts and goals and good luck in the future, Teju! It’s been a pleasure watching you play.