Preston North End striker Madison Hadley was presented with the Golden Ball Award as Adobe Women’s FA Cup top scorer in the 2024/25 season.
The Golden Ball Award in partnership with Mitre recognises and commemorates the top scorer in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, from the First Round Qualifying stage in September through to the Final in May.
Hadley, who plays for her childhood club Preston North End in the North West Women’s Regional League Division 1 North, scored 11 goals in this season’s competition, fending off the likes of Manchester United duo Celin Bizet and Ella Toone and Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, to claim the award.
Hadley, as well as her teammates from Preston North End, were invited to the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final as guests of The FA. Former England manager and pioneer of the women’s game, Hope Powell, who is also a two-time FA Cup winner as a player, led a special presentation before kick-off where Hadley was presented with her award. The 24-year-old, who works as an activities co-ordinator in a care home, then had the honour of walking out of the tunnel with the Mitre match ball and placing it on its plinth before the two finalist teams lined up before kick-off.
Golden Ball Award winner Madison Hadley said: “Winning the Golden Ball has been a surreal moment; it’s one of those achievements you dream of as a kid. You dream of going to Wembley, and now I’m actually living it. It’s a proud moment for me, my family, and my teammates, and it reflects all the hard work we’ve put in throughout the season.”