The 25-year-old reached the landmark appearance against Everton on Sunday. And as we discuss the milestone, it is clear that Niamh wants to soak up what it means. It's certainly not something she takes lightly.

To play for Chelsea is one thing. But, to do it 150 times? There is only one word for it. Special, she says with absolutely no hesitation.

Niamh made the move to London as a fresh-faced 21-year-old winger in the summer of 2020. You may be thinking... a winger? But, before she became the established full-back she is now, she had impressed in an attacking role at her former club Liverpool.

That's what had caught the Blues' eye, but soon she would take on a new role on the pitch while exploring what life had to offer away from home. Leaving Merseyside was the first time she had lived away from her family and the first time football would be her entire focus having previously balanced the game with her university studies.

'I had to grow up and learn more about myself and what I enjoyed doing with my days off and what I liked to do with my own time,' she tells us.

On the pitch, Niamh was also in the midst of a transition, learning a new role in defence. Injury to Maren Mjelde opened up a spot at the back, and she embraced it. It was not easy though, having to learn new things while having to unlearn others.

'It happened because we had injuries, so it was kind of out of necessity,' she says. 'It wasn’t a case of you are here now and we think you should play here instead.

'It took me a while to grow to love the position, but now I think it suits me completely and I really enjoy it. I did enjoy the process even though it was hard.

'I had played there for a while and then it became my position. I wasn’t just there to fill it. So, I had to learn how to apply my game to this new position.'

And apply her game she did. Following on from her first season at the Blues, campaign by campaign Niamh would become an even more established force in Chelsea's backline.

We ask Niamh if moving to full-back might have changed the trajectory of her career. It, she replies, is not something she has previously been asked, but begins to ponder.

'I’ve never considered that before,' the England international replies. 'No one has ever asked me that.

'It does suit me and my strengths. I can combine things that I worked on as a winger when I was younger and had to learn the defensive side of things.

'I spent a lot of time having to learn, but I would never change that. I don’t know where I would be now if I hadn't become a full-back, but I do know that it definitely suits me and brings out the best of me as a player.'

Not only has Niamh become a successful defender in her own right, but she has played an integral role in Chelsea's achievements. She has won nine domestic trophies, including four consecutive Women's Super League titles.

Her first game at the Blues in 2020 yielded her first piece of silverware: the Community Shield. This was a taste of what was to come, as a certain mentality was engrained in the defender from the very beginning.

'My first competitive game for Chelsea was when we won the Community Shield. I remember when I came on Emma Hayes said to me: ‘Welcome to Chelsea. This is what we do’ and obviously that was so true.

'She was bang-on with what she said. I really valued that and still do. I want to instil that in everyone who comes to this team because that is the expectation the second you walk through the door.'

Last season was another personal highlight for Niamh. She started each of our 22 league games in a rollercoaster campaign that ended with the Blues once again lifting the WSL trophy.

To play her part was special, as she discusses finding constancy in her game and building partnerships on the pitch, but to win another title, Niamh says, was pure relief. There had been many twists and turns to get to the final day with an opportunity against Manchester United. And the Blues took it.

'It was just a different feeling,' the defender reiterates. 'It was pure relief.

'In other seasons, it was elation but this felt like pure relief. It was just such a hard season, but that’s why it was special. We grafted for it and fought as a team.

'That’s what is so unique about sport. It’s extreme highs and extreme lows. In those last few weeks, it was extreme emotions that we had to deal with. It was all-consuming.

'I always say after you win a trophy, other than my family, the only people you want to celebrate it with is your team. They are the only people who know what you’ve been through with the highs and lows because we did it together.

'That’s what is so special about being at Chelsea, though. We always find a way to win.'

That triumph arrived during a season where Niamh had captained the Blues alongside Erin Cuthbert whilst Millie Bright spent a long spell out injured. She didn't change much while wearing the armband, Niamh tells us, as she held dear the principles her team-mates already knew her for.

'It was special to share the captaincy with Erin,' Niamh explains. 'It was a unique situation. It just felt like the whole team stuck in for each other, it didn’t matter who was captain.

'I just remember looking at each other on the pitch and we got each other through it.

'It made me aware of how much a captain also needs help. It made me realise how much they take on and how much responsibility they take for the team. They’re not just accountable for their own performances, but also the team as well.

'It’s really admirable. Even if you don’t wear the armband, it is a shared responsibility – that’s how I look at it.'

Those are just some of the moments that have shaped Niamh's time at Chelsea so far. Hopefully, there will be 150 more appearances in the years to come. And what might they hold?

'Trophies would be my answer!' Niamh answers. 'Winning the one we’re all after… the Champions League.

'I want to see the game grow as well and be able to contribute to that. In terms of how we grow the game sustainably and consistently. Hopefully, we will see that over the next 150 games as well as winning on the pitch.'