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Senior players at Holmebrook Valley
Pre - season 1999
Back row left to right:
Christine McCann, Helen Lacy, Cath Browne, Gemma Lindley, Louise Crofts, Rachel
Stevenson, Mags Keates,
Hannah Cox, Leanne Haslam.
Front row left to right:
Rachel Hunter, Amy Redfern, Suzanna Murdock, Gemma Dickenson, Keighley Hall,
Claire Humberstone.
The Club has run a
Senior Women's team since it's formation in 1991 and first joined the East
Midland Ladies Football League Division 2 for season 1991/92. We gained
promotion into the First Division at the first attempt, and then remained there
until 1998/99 when we became founder members of the Midlands Combination
League. The 4 Combination Leagues completed the league pyramid structure and
provide automatic promotion into the FA Women's National League.
The Senior section is currently sponsored by the Boythorpe Inn, which is
located across the road from the ground at Queens Park Annexe. Pete and Sheila
began their sponsorship in 1998/99 when they were approached to provide post
match hospitality for visiting teams and supporters. This season the deal was
extended to provide all Senior players with training tops.It's just a shame
that the landlord, Pete, really supports Derby County!
Jane Ebbage is the current First Team Manager, taking up the post in October
1999. She is currently one of only 3 women to have passed the FA's Full
Coaching License and has big plans for the future development of the squad.
Christine McCann is Club Captain and Assistant Manager. Neil Smith, Shaun Reeve
and Ray Simms are also called upon for help on matchdays, a situation which
helps to provide continuity between the Senior and Junior sections of the
Club.
In 1998/99 we finished
in a mid table position with an ageing squad. Many of these players left during
pre - season 1999, leaving us with a huge task of rebuilding.
Youngsters, Rachel Hunter, Keighley Hall, Amy Redfern and Gemma Dickenson were
drafted into the squad from the Reserves, whilst newcomers Leanne Haslam (from
Mansfield) Rachel Willat (from Calverton) and Danny Shearer (from Leicester
Vixens) all signed during pre season. Now the squad is probably the youngest
and least experienced in the League with just 4 players over the age of 21. In
fact the average age of the squad gets younger by the week as U16's Sarah
Smith, Jo Potter, Amanda Reeve and Claire Hopkinson are all getting regular
call ups into the squad.
Despite this the squad is very talented and promises much for the future.
Midfielder Susanna Murdock has England U18 honours, and has also been called up
to full squad training in the past. Amy Redfern was called up to an U16
training camp in August 1999, whilst others have attended National
trials.
"Veterans" Chris McCann, Claire
Humberstone and Rachel Booker warming down those aching bones at
Telford
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