Melbourne Victory would like to thank Natasha Dowie for her service to the club following her decision not to return for the 2020/21 Westfield W-League season.
After five seasons in the navy blue, Dowie has decided to seek opportunities closer to her home in England.
Head Coach, Jeff Hopkins, wished Dowie all the best for the next chapter in her career.
“On behalf of everyone at Melbourne Victory we would like to thank Natasha for her contribution to our club, both on and off the pitch,” Hopkins said.
“Tash has been one of the competition’s best strikers, she’s been a fantastic captain, and there’s no doubt the high standards she demands of herself and her teammates has helped us grow as a side.
“We want to wish Tash all the best for the next chapter of her career.”
Dowie said Melbourne Victory will always hold a special place in her football career.
“I would first like to thank Dave Edmondson for bringing me to Melbourne Victory and the W-League five years ago,” Dowie said.
“The experience has changed my life in so many positive ways, Melbourne has become my second home. I can’t say enough about Melbourne Victory as a club.
“It’s something that you will never understand until you have been a part of it. It truly is a family club from the top all the way through.
“It has been an honour to play for this club and an even bigger achievement to captain it. One of the highs of my career will be winning the league with this club.
“To the Chairman and all the staff in the front office, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your warm welcomes over the years. You couldn’t have done more for us.
“Jeff Hopkins who has coached me for the past four years, you have become a life-long friend. All the coaching staff you know who you are, especially Sharbil for helping me play every game for Victory over the five years.
“The fans who have supported the team throughout our highs and lows, please keep supporting the team, it means so much to us as players. I know this is not goodbye but see you later.
“Thank you to the W-League and everyone who makes the league possible, all the support you have given me over the years has meant so much to me. I hope the league keeps going from strength to strength. I will be supporting from a distance.”
This season’s Westfield W-League joint golden boot winner, Dowie leaves having scored 34 goals in 59 appearances for the club.
