Workington Reds Ladies will kick off their new season on Sunday with six new signings in the squad.
They entertain Penwortham Ladies FC this Sunday at Lakes College on the Astro turf with the game starting at 2pm.
Like clubs throughout the country, Workington Ladies are hoping that the change in society toward women’s football, which was evident during the Lionesses successful European Championship campaign, will be reflected in the number of supporters attending the games.
Reds Ladies manager Paul Mackenzie said: “We are looking to encourage anyone that is free this Sunday afternoon, to come to the Lakes college, get behind the team and cheer the us on to a strong start of the season.
“We have six new, exciting signings and are looking to make an impact.”
Morgan McGrady, Anya Studholme, Alice Kemp, Emi Rudd, Ellie Ritchie and Zara Sandelands have all put pen to paper for the North West Women’s Regional Football Division One campaign.
Five of the new players were offered the chance to train with the squad for a month at the end of last season, with a view of giving them the chance to see first-hand what the club has to offer them and also to see how they fit in with the current squad of players.
Zara is the most recent signing to join having only started training with the squad over the last week.
Manager McKenzie said: “All of the new players have impressed us with their attitudes right from the start and have shown us the potential that they have.
“Their work rate and effort has been on par with the rest of the squad, and they all show a keenness to take on our coaching and develop their football ability.”
McGrady, at only 20, is the oldest of the six signings and she joins from neighbours, Whitehaven AFC Ladies.
She is an attacking player who scored twice in an impressive debut in the pre-season friendly against Annan Athletic Ladies FC.
She said: “I want to keep on developing and play at the highest level possible. There are a lot of talented footballers in the squad and I’m enjoying the training,
“I’m sure playing in this environment will help develop my skills. I am looking forward to the new season starting and contributing to the success of the team.”
Also joining from Whitehaven AFC Ladies and having experienced Academy football during a spell with Blackburn Rovers is Emi Rudd.
Along with three of the other new signings, she has recently left the Cumberland Ladies Under-16 League.
She is a versatile footballer who has played as a striker, a winger and more recently in central midfield.
Manager Mackenzie said: “She is really comfortable on the ball and made her debut in a Penrith tournament last weekend when the quality of her performance was appreciated by all at the club.”
Rudd shares the same desire to develop herself and is excited to start the next part of her footballing journey at the highest level possible locally.
“The rest of the squad have been very welcoming and that has helped me settle in,” she said.
Anya Studholme has previously played at Allerdale Juniors FC and more recently Workington Diamonds FC where her favourite position was midfield .
Anya also made her debut against Annan and delivered a solid performance for the team.
On joining Reds she said: “My teacher, Linzi Donaldson, plays for the club and she suggested that I should come along and see if I liked it.
“Linzi and the rest of the squad have encouraged me and made me feel welcome. I just want to do my best and help the team as much as I can.”
Ellie Ritchie, Alice Kemp and Zara Sandelands have all previously played their youth football for Cockermouth Girls FC.
Ritchie is a versatile player and could play anywhere in the team, but her preferred position is in midfield.
Her first taste of playing for the club came against Stanwix Ladies earlier this month when she impressed in attack leading the line before switching to defence in the latter stages of the game.
She said: “I challenge myself to train and play at the highest intensity that I can give and always strive to deliver 100% for the teams I play for.
“I want to play at the highest level that I can and I am pleased to be joining the Reds Ladies because I can see how much playing football means to them and I want to share in their success.”
Kemp is a right-sided defender who is looking to develop the attacking side of her game and contribute to turning defensive plays into attacking opportunities.
She made her debut in a determined performance against Annan when her dominance in the tackle and desire to link up with the attack resulted in her first assist for the club.
After signing she said: “This is a new challenge that I am really looking forward to.
“I have watched a couple of games at the end of last season and I was impressed by the quality of players in the team.”
Sandelands has played as a winger over the last 2-3 years of her junior footballing career and appreciates that she is at the start of her adult footballing career.
She said: “I am looking forward to taking on board the new challenges that Regional League football brings.
“It is a big step up, but I am determined to give it my best shot and work hard for the team.”
Over the last 12 months and alongside playing for Cockermouth, Zara has also qualified as a referee and has been officiating local youth leagues fixtures.
Manager Mackenzie added: “We are fortunate to have recruited these six new players as they represent the superb work being done in girls football at youth level in the west of the county.
“They have fitted in well at training and it’s great that they are looking to us to develop their football abilities. Their drive, desire, and willingness to develop as footballers aligns totally to our club philosophy.”
“Our pre-season training has gone well with the full squad working hard and taking on the new challenges that we have set, both as individuals and as a collective.
“We are looking forward to the season starting and have somewhere around 26 talented and focused footballers signed on for us and they are all eagerly awaiting the start of the new season”.
