[T]hings have progressed really well over the summer both on and off the pitch. During the off season the club took the decision to apply for a Charter Standard status and in August the club was contacted by the Cumberland FA to say the application had all went through and we are now just awaiting official confirmation that the status has been awarded to the club. To get this status in such a short turnaround in time for the new season is a testament to all the hardwork put in by everyone connected to the club, it also shows just how serious the Ladies want to be taken as a club and speaks volumes of the direction they want to go in.
On the pitch all the ladies that have been retained from last season have put in the hours of hard work whether that be on the training pitch, Futsal hall or the gym and on top of that we have managed to sign 4 new signings who I am really pleased to have.
Jadan use to play for Workington Reds Diamonds FC and took last year off to concentrate on her exams and now wants to challenge herself in the senior team. Jadan has shown that not only has she got a wise head on young shoulders in making the decision to concentrate on her exams but also this decision has not caused her any problems in re-establishing her football. This wise head along with her desire to get back playing again will stand her in good stead in this league. She has already shown she is more than capable at this level on the training pitch and the season can’t come quick enough for us to see her in action in her first senior Women’s competitive game.
Leah has come up through the ranks of Allerdale girls FC and spent the summer playing in the Cumberland FA Summer League for Seaton Ladies FC. Leah has always shown great talent and her decision to go into the summer league has given her even more confidence than she already had. She has been away with the team for a couple of friendlies and has settled really well into the squad so much so that you wouldn’t realise she was a new signing.
Naomi has come to us following a short break from football having played for the triple winning County league side Abbeytown. Naomi will bring additional support down our left hand side as well as valuable winning experience. She is a pleasure to have at training and I can’t wait to see her in league action.
Cassie is another who has had a break from football and is now looking at getting back to playing again. She is a versatile player and is also strong on the ball, I foresee her causing our opponents a hard time when they try to get her off the ball.
I’m really pleased with each of the new additions, they all bring something unique to the current squad which really compliments the style of play the ladies are playing. We have a really healthy squad this year with nearly every position having multiple options which not only allows us to have all round cover but it also gives us options to change things when and where required. The ladies have all took really well to the new squad additions and with the competition for places, albeit a nice healthy one, they are pushing each other all the time to keep on improving.
Pre-season has went really well, despite a couple of cancellations on us, and each game we have played has either been against the same or higher level opponents and in every game the ladies have given a very good account of themselves. Our first competitive game of the season will be in the Preliminary round of the FA Cup against local rivals Carlisle United LFC. Its not every year you get the chance to kick off your season with a local derby in the FA Cup and both myself and the ladies are really looking forward to it and can’t wait to get the season kicked off.
