A United Future for Cambridge WFC

  Cambridge WFC have announced today a new and exciting chapter to their history with the news that they are to merge with Cambridge United FC and become known as Cambridge United Women. Below is the statement issued by the club.
    
                                                              Club Statement

    Cambridge Women’s Football Club are delighted to announce that they will be merging with Cambridge United Football Club with immediate effect. The link will see the club change its name to Cambridge United Women’s Football Club and operate with full assistance from CUFC as the two clubs join forces.

As part of the new, exciting link, the club will take on the CUFC badge and playing kit for the new season and have support in terms of funding, sponsorship, staffing and media promotion, as well as working together to help girl’s football in the area and having a bigger presence in the local community.

The club will continue to play in the FA Women’s Premier League South East Division One, where they finished in 7^th place this season, and will look to improve on that for 2015/16.

The formation of the club will be marked with a special promotional launch match on Thursday 30^th July, at the Abbey Stadium against Queens Park Rangers Ladies, more details will be announced at a later date.

The club will now be holding open trials, for any female players aged 16 or over who are interested in playing for the club. The trials will be held at Linton Community Sports Centre, Cambridge Road, Linton, CB21 4JB on 10^th, 14^th and 17^th June. Please email cambridgewfc@yahoo.com or amy.ganderton@cambridge-united.co.uk for a trials form.

  Prior to the announcement I had the opportunity to ask Cambridge WFC manager Steve Edwards a few questions about the merger of the two clubs and what the future offers not only Cambridge United Women but women's football in the wider community.

Cambridge WFC manager Steve Edwards

 

  First of all Steve I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for letting me ask you some further questions on what is an exciting announcement for Cambridge WFC today.

 Q. A merger with Cambridge United Football Club what does that mean for Cambridge WFC?

        It’s a brilliant opportunity for this football club to move forward in women’s football while putting in place a more professional support structure to act as a platform from which to build. Cambridge United are growing from strength to strength in the men’s game and we have similar plans and ambitions for the women’s set up. It will mean we can work together and share expertise and resources and sends a real statement that we mean business.

  Q. How did the merger come about in the 1^st place who approached who?

     There have been talks for some time now from both parties and it has been evident from the start that not only was this something that we at CWFC wanted, but Cambridge United were equally as keen to have a successful women’s team at the club. With the set-up that we already had in place, along with our big ambitions, it was a very natural progression to make this happen.

   Q. Having a club such as Cambridge United involved now established back into the Football League after promotion from the Conference the season before offers huge potential to grow the women’s game not just within the club itself but to the wider game within Cambridgeshire itself what are the advantages to Cambridge WFC?

   The link with Cambridge United is an important relationship for us to have as it will give us access to a number of benefits. Not only will we become an integrated part of a brand that’s identity continues to grow, by taking on the name, badge and kit, but we will gain further sponsorship and fundraising opportunities which will allow us to kick on as a club. With all this in place, plus more possibilities of facilities and staffing, the potential of the women’s team has rapidly increased. We are hoping that this will enable us to attract more players to this already strong club.

   Q. The club will take on a new name becoming Cambridge United Women and with it a new badge and new playing strip big changes to make were these easy decisions to make from the clubs point of view?

  Yes these were necessary changes to make and ones that we all agreed on. The merger ensures that the players will know they are a proper part of Cambridge United Football Club, the brand is instantly recognisable and continues to grow in the professional game. There will be an element of sadness to move away from our old identity which has served us well until now of course, but this is soon counter-acted by the excitement we are all feeling about becoming Cambridge United.

  Q. Huge benefits in terms of helping to raise the clubs profile what do you hope the merger will offer the women’s side in the future?

    The added exposure that this will inevitably give us not only in the media but in the Cambridgeshire community is really positive, and hopefully we will be able to gain a number of new supporters who already so passionately follow the men’s team. Women’s football can sometimes have a hard time getting heard in the media and getting the coverage it deserves, but this is improving all the time and I have no doubt that we will generate more interest in us now.

  Q. How excited are you yourself with the merger? Know you’re passionate about the game and believe Cambridge WFC are a club on the verge of big things.

   We are extremely excited for the future now and this merge was a key part of our plans going forward. It feels great to have now put this in place and we can really start planning for, not only the season ahead, but the mid-term and long-term futures. I do believe this club and this area has massive potential and should be competing nationally in the women’s game but you can’t put a superpower on the pitch without putting all the right things in place off the pitch. The hard work really starts now and there’s a long way to go, but as long as we keep moving in the right direction, we’re on schedule!

  Q. What are your aims for next season now you have this merger with Cambridge United?

   I am busy at the moment looking at player recruitment which will dominate my thoughts over the next few weeks, both from player targets and also open trials that have now been announced. Then attention will turn to pre-season where we will have an improved fitness schedule that ensures we are getting the squad in the right place fitness wise, which will be key come the start of the season. I won’t be setting the club any targets in terms of points or position, we will look to treat every game the same and as one that we want to win. If we are professional about everything we do and have a winning mentality, then points and positions look after themselves. Of course, we want to be competing at the right end of the table and winning trophies!

  Q. I myself am passionate about seeing women’s football grow within the East of England think there is real potential out there. Do you think this merger offers Cambridge a chance to become one of the region’s forerunners?

     We wanted to ensure the club didn’t stand still. Throughout the club’s history, decisions have been made at the time to ensure the club kept moving forward and this is another important milestone for the club. Personally I believe this will end up being the best move it has ever made. We want to be able to offer facilities, coaching, a style of football and a level of football that is the best in the region and I hope that the opportunity to be part of a huge club, will excite the best players in the area to want to join that vision.

   

    A new era for the club begins with a special promotional launch at the Abbey Stadium on the 30th July against Queens Park Rangers Ladies, a club themselves that enjoy a good relationship with their men's side further details of the match to be released at a later date.

Cambridge University Women v Cambridge WFC Reserves

 Another Sunday and an entirely new competition to look at, along with two new teams for myself albeit another trip to see Cambridge WFC, only this time it was to take a look at their Reserves side who were away to Cambridge University Women in the Cambridgeshire S-Tech Women's League Cup.
  
     Drawn together in the 2nd round of the competition the ties are played over 2 legs, home and away with the 1st leg having been 2 weekends ago both sides playing out a 4-4 draw to leave no clue as to which way todays encounter might go. Both teams play in the same division too, the Cambridgeshire Women's Premiership.

   I also wanted to cover a Cambridge WFC Reserves game as I am sponsoring one of their players, Clara Greed through my other women's football fledgling outlet www.womensfootballeast.com this season.

   Cambridge University Women play their home matches at the Fenners Cricket Ground in the middle of the city, an interesting and unique venue, as the name suggests a cricket ground, but their's plenty of room to place a football pitch away from the wickets.

   I hate being late for a match, and I suppose after watching 81 without a hitch in 2014 I was due one or two, was late getting down to Bristol on Thursday night to see them in Champion's League action beating Barcelona on aggregate, due to half the roads being dug between there and Norfolk, and Cambridge was just as taxing with roadworks on the way in and the turning on of the Christmas Lights meaning it was incredibly busy and struggling to find somewhere to park. I was late.

  Cambridge University Women starting XI - Janina Selzer, Rose Gibbins, Sarah Pearce, Ruth Gray, Grace Parker, Christine Lane, Claire Longden, Lynn-Jones Taylor, Elizabeth Robinshaw, Zoe Woodward-Lebihan (C), & Amanda Wainwright.
    subs - Amy Binning, Fiona Carter, Katy Davyson, Maud Gibbons & Imogen Garner

    Cambridge WFC Reserves starting XI - Tafadzwa Mhunduru, Emma Jenkins, Jordan Holland, Kayleigh-Anne Burt, Emma Roberts (C), Laura Mills, Gemma Clarke, Ellie Cullum, Robyn Phillips, Liz Pamplin, Sarah Mosley.
    subs - Clara Greed, Emily Reed, Sarah Carroll & Tessa Shaw.

                                                      (roll on - roll off substitutes)

    ... with my late arrival I cannot report on the 1st ten minutes of match action, Cambridge University Women were playing in white shirts, navy shorts and sky blue socks. Cambridge WFC Reserves were playing all in red.

    GOAL! I missed the opening goal. It was scored by Cambridge WFC Reserves, Laura Mills. Steve Edwards their manager gave me this quote - "Emma Jenkins played the ball into the right channel and Laura Mills outpaced the defender to slot past the keeper first time." 0-1.

   GOAL! I'm on my way now having found that LAST parking space in the multi-storey. Just as Cambridge University win a corner. The ball is played in from the left, at good pace a metre off the ground towards the near post is met by Elizabeth Robinshaw who turns the ball into the net off her chest to level the scores 1-1.

   Is a damp and foggy afternoon, a little rain in the air the grass on the pitch is quite short, but the surface is firm despite the moisture not cutting up or making control of the ball tricky as you might expect. First impression's having arrived late are that both sides are looking to create early opening's winning the ball and looking to play it forwards into the attackers.

   Jordan Holland for Cambridge WFC takes a free kick in the middle 45 yards from goal, plays a good delivery towards the far post area for Ellie Cullum making the run she gets her head to it 10 yards out, the attempt is wide of goal.

 GOAL! It's Cambridge University who take the lead and it's Robinshaw with her 2nd of the match. The home side work the ball from the back quickly the ball played through the centre the fed out to the wide left position, the cross is strong fired across the 18 yard line, comes to Robinshaw at the edge of the box on the right, she has a bit to do to bring the ball down and get it away towards goal does so sending the powerful strike past Cambridge WFC goalkeeper Tafadzwu Mhunduru to make the score 2-1.

   Cambridge University continue to press forwards aren't afraid to go long with striker Amanda Wainwright a willing chaser of the ball she is put in past the Cambridge WFC back line on a couple of occasion's both times Mhunduru come confidently out of her line to clear or claim the ball.

   Cambridge WFC's, Cullum plays a deft pass with the outside of her boot into the run of Mills, the ball at her feet she drives towards the penalty box, gets a strike away is blocked, the ball going away for a corner. Good pressure from the visitors, keeping it better and looking to test Cambridge University Women's goalkeeper Janina Selzer with some long balls. Almost loses the ball as it is headed on by Sarah Mosley, Selzer knocking the ball down but failing to gather first time, recovers well to dive on the ball before a red shirt can steal in.

    Roll on, roll off substitutes Cambridge WFC bring on Tessa Shaw and Emily Reed for Emma Roberts and Liz Pamplin. In the middle of the park, Reed just come on decides to try her luck from distance a high looping effort is going to drop under the crossbar, Selzer has to keep her eye on it, palms it down and gathers.

    Another Cambridge University attack started from the back the ball is played forwards two passes out into the not sure which white shirted player was on the ball they break into the box, Mhumduru comes racing out of her goal to close her down dives as she pulls her foot back to strike, does enough to put her off the shot is dragged wide.

   Robinshaw wins a tackle high up the pitch out on the right, looks up and passes the ball central 20 yards out into Amy Binning, she does well to pull off her marker give herself half a yard to turn and shoot puts the ball straight into Mhunduru's gloves.

   Rose Gibbins for Cambridge University passes the ball forwards from the back into Ruth Gray who stabs it on into the run of Wainwright the chase is on between her and Cambridge WFC's Tessa Shaw the defender puts in a good sliding tackle to win the ball, concedes a corner the ball played in from the left drops down at the near post is loose for a 2nd before Cambridge WFC clear.

    Up front for Cambridge, Gemma Watson receives the ball on the edge of the area from Reed, holds it up well and looks to turn try and get a shot away is eventually crowded off the ball as three home defenders converge on her. Last chance of the half falls to Cambridge WFC as Mills puts a cross from the left into the box the ball is cleared but only as far as Emma Jenkins who running in fires a shot in from 25 yards the ball is put out of play for a corner.

                     Half-time Cambridge University Women 2-1 Cambridge WFC Reserves
   
   Competitive first half with both sides looking to win the ball and start an attack early. Cambridge WFC have had more of the ball, but haven't been as effective with it in the final third as Cambridge University have, leading 2-1 and with a 6-5 agg lead it's the visitors that need to create more openings in front of goal in the 2nd half and make a number of changes with Roberts coming back on along Sarah Carroll in the centre and Clara Greed out wide left.

   Getting darker with the gloomy skies a chill in the air as the 2nd half gets underway. It's the home side that start the brighter another pacey build up down their left the ball is fired into the box, no one has the legs to meet it.

   A good run from Cambridge WFC's Mills down the right, charges forwards out paces her marker and strikes the ball on the run, Cambridge University keeper Selzer seeing the danger has made a good decision to come as the shot is straight into her midriff she holds on well.

   The visitors gift Cambridge University a chance from a poor ball out from the back that Wainwright latches onto, peels to the left of the area and shoots from a tight angle, Mhunduru makes the save at her near post.

   Wainwright is looking to find space in the channels as Cambridge WFC look to put bodies forwards to bring the scores level, with a burst of pace the no10 enters the box, coming across to defend is Robyn Phillips with a great tackle to take the ball off her feet.

    Cambridge WFC's Emma Roberts with possession of the ball at the back moves forwards down the left. has Clara Greed in front of her, puts the ball into her run, Greed gets control of the ball, has pace to burn drives towards the box, is about to shoot a defender comes sliding in to thwart the strike deflected behind for a corner.

   Greed looks to make another run with the ball at her feet into the box from the left, looking to beat players Cambridge University defend well, the ball comes loose out towards Sarah Carroll who has a strike from 25 yards, but the home side have the bodies back to intercept. Liz Pamplin comes back on for Jordan Holland.

   On the left Lynn Jones Taylor for Cambridge University plays the ball into the run of Wainwright charging into the box shoots aiming for the near post, Mhunduru drops low pushes the ball away, the loose ball is blasted back in, Tessa Shaw is their back on the cover to make the block the ball coming back out to Claire Longden she fires her strike over the bar.

   GOAL! It's the equaliser Cambridge WFC have been looking for. The build up down the left the ball is played into the area with pace at a good height, there are shouts of hand ball the referee points to the penalty spot. It's Pamplin to step up makes no mistake putting it past the keeper to level the score line 2-2.

   The goal sparks Cambridge University into action having been pushed back for a spell they restart the match on the offensive, 1st Wainwright puts a fierce cross low across the goal line and out before Taylor blazes a shot wide after latching onto a poor clearance from the back.

   Reed gives away a foul in a dangerous position outside the box 20 yards to the right of the D, it's Longden over the ball, is a good effort gets it up and over the wall, in the fading light it looks close but goes over the bar.

   GOAL! Wainwright has looked a threat all game and restores Cambridge University's lead as the ball is put into her outside the box, turns her marker well on the right and strikes the ball low and hard across Mhunduru and into the net 3-2.

    Cambridge WFC look to counter straight away the ball played down the right from the restart, the cross is played in a looping ball, falls to Greed who finds herself in a central position she hits the ball on the turn on the edge of the box, a good strike, narrowly over.

Cambridge WFC's Clara Greed

   Gemma Clarke with another great chance to get Cambridge WFC back into the tie, the ball is played into her feet from the left as she drives frorwards from a central position is in space, Selzer comes rushing out to try and put her off, Clarke stabs the ball past her, beaten Selzer turns to see the ball thankfully dribble the wrong side of the post.

    A goal mouth scramble in the Cambridge University box late on as Mills brings the ball down and drives into the middle has he shot blocked, the ball falling amongst bodies, Clarke gets a foot on the ball is blocked at point blank range as the home side. Cambridge University defend in numbers get the ball away. The final whistle blows and Cambridge University win the 2nd leg 3-2 and win 7-6 overall to advance to the next round of the S-Tech Women's League Cup.

    An entertaining cup tie between two evenly matched sides, competitive as a narrow aggregate scoreline suggests. Congratulations to Cambridge University Women and thanks to both clubs for helping me out with the squad details especially after my late arrival.
  

  

Match Report - Cambridge WFC v Watford Ladies Development Squad - Pre-season Friendly

    Been a while since I've had a journey of under an hour to watch a women's football match having been following the FAWSL during the summer months. It was good to be back on the local trail as the 2014/15 'winter' leagues prepare for their new seasons. A chance to return to Ely City FC and watch Cambridge WFC back in action as they took on Watford Ladies Development Squad.

         Player Sponsorship for the New Season



Cambridge WFC's Olivia Abbott

   A friendly match isn't usually a match I write a report on, however in this case it was an opportune fixture, falling as it did during the week that Cambridge WFC and their partner @CWFCPressOffice that do great work promoting the club announced my sponsorship, through this blog -  supportingwomensfootball.blogspot.com of their player Olivia Abbott.

                                                                                    
     I'm pleased to continue my association with Cambridge WFC for the new 2014/15 by sponsoring a player for a 2nd season. I think it is a good and rewarding thing to do and a way to show my support of the women's game. Olivia is a defender and has been a part of the 1st team on a regular basis since she has been with the club. I wish Olivia all the best for the coming season.

                    

 The Match Action

 

     To the match action, returning to Ely City FC where Cambridge WFC play their home matches it was a great day weather wise nice and warm, a few dark clouds around that threatened rain but none came. The grass on the pitch looked a little long in places but the main thing I noticed upon arrival at the ground was that the visitors outnumbered the home side by at least two to one. Watford Ladies Development had brought a very large squad with them.



Watford Ladies Development Squad

At one point it looked like all of them were going to start the match as they did the prep talk before kick-off. As it was the mandatory 11 took to the pitch as the referee blew for kick-off.

 Cambridge WFC had a squad of 14 for the match with players unavailable through injury and away on holiday. Of those that were available three were new faces, Chloe Houston and Charlotte Crisp, along with one player that I know well from following women's football in Norfolk and one of the most recognised and talented players in the county Becky Russell, formerly of Thorpe United Ladies.

    Along with new faces in the playing staff, Cambridge WFC have a new head coach, Steve Edwards, coming to the club from Watford Ladies where he worked as assistant coach.

    Cambridge WFC squad - Liz Pamplin, Emma Jenkins, Olivia Abbott, Jordan Holland, Becca Fay, Kim Motley, Becky Russell, Emily Reed, Nuala Wayne, Laura Bright, Hannah Bodily, Faith Hewitt, Chloe Houston & Charlotte Crisp.
  (colours - sky blue shirts & socks, with navy shorts)

  It was the visitors to kick off the friendly. As the game would develop this was going to be very much a game of two halves.. but you'll have to read on to find out why. It's Watford with the possession early on working the ball down the pitch playing a cross in from the left it is Liz Pamplin in the Cambridge goal who has to deal with the 1st cross taking the ball comfortably.

    It isn't long before the ball comes back in a shot from inside the box that flashes across the face of goal and wide. Cambridge's Laura Bright gives away a free kick on the edge of the D a good shooting position central for Watford, Liz Pamplin sets a good wall and shooting around it the keeper is well placed to make the save.

     Coming back into the game Cambridge's best outlet is down their right channel where, Becky Russell is keeping wide looking to receive the ball and run at the Watford defence looking to find lone striker Nuala Wayne.

    Winning the ball back Watford break quickly using the flanks well a cross is driven in, this time Olivia Abbott running back to cover the near post intercepts the cross putting the ball behind for a corner.

    Watford have Cambridge pushed back, they are defending well as a unit however no allowing any space to break into centrally force Watford to shoot from distance, 25 yards out Pamplin is behind the shot all the way.

    The ball is won back from Watford in their own half, Laura Bright seeing Becky Russell free out on the right plays a good ball into her. Russell has the ball at her feet drives towards goal has a strike from the corner of the penalty box, driven hard to the near post, Watford's keeper spills the ball as she makes the save swerves loose behind her, but she recovers quickly to pounce upon the ball as it comes back off the post.

   

Watford come back strongly, Pamplin making another save from a 25 yard shot aimed straight at her. A cross is fired in from the left going behind the Cambridge defence running back the ball comes to an unmarked Watford attacker, leaning back as she shoots the shot is screwed wide of goal.

   Watford have Cambridge's defence beaten moments later as a looping cross is played over the on rushing Pamplin coming in from the left inside the six yard box the Watford attacker tries meet the ball coming down to volley into the empty net but the touch is too heavy the ball spinning high and wide Cambridge clear.

    In another Watford attack, Pamplin is hurt as she comes to claim a cross with an attacker closing in.

   Late in the half Emily Reed with good possesssion of the ball in midfield plays the ball into the feet of Wayne she lays it into the feet of the supporting Bright, she shoots from 30 yards out her drive going wide of the Watford goal.

                            Half-time Cambridge WFC 0-0 Watford Ladies Development

   A solid defensive display from Cambridge, Watford with the bulk of the possession and the chances. I did say though at the beginning of this report that this was going to be a game of two halves. No more so than Watford putting out a new starting XI for the 2nd half, this one a younger looking one too. A fitness test then for Cambridge's smaller squad we would see as the home side kicked off the 2nd half.

    Watford have the 1st attack of the 2nd half a free kick 25 yards out that is played high and wide. Pinned back somewhat in the 1st half meant Nuala Wayne had very little support up top for Cambridge, has Faith Hewitt and Charlotte Crisp looking to get further up the pitch now with Russell offering width wide right.

Cambridge's Becky Russell

    Great work from Nuala Wayne as she turns her marker on the edge of the box cuts back inside and shoots across the keeper who makes the save pushing the ball wide the visitors concede a corner from the loose ball. Cambridge take the lead as the ball is played into the box, a good height and the header is from Laura Bright from inside the six yard box to make it 1-0.

     The play and possession is all Cambridge's 2nd half, Wayne with a turn and volley from 25 yards that stings the keepers gloves. It's soon 2-0 and the scorer is Wayne as she recieves the ball into her feet turns on the edge of the box to the right loops it over the keeper and into the back of the net 2-0.

   Wayne beats the offside trap, cutting down the left channel into the box she shapes to shoot near post, pulls her effort wide.

   The 3rd goal is scored by full back Emma Jenkins as she wins the ball back from Watford high up the pitch powers forwards and releases a strike from 25-30 yards out, flies over the keeper and into the goal 3-0.

    Almost immediately after Watford are guilty of sloppy play at the back as Faith Hewitt latches onto a poor ball, has a strike from outside the box and buries it into the back of the net 4-0.

     Not long after Hewitt gets another chance to strike from almost the same position the ball played into her this time she turns and shoots sending it to the right of the keeper and into the back of the net 5-0.

     Watford's goal has been peppered 2nd half, their keeper does however make a fine save at the near post from a low drive from Wayne. Their has been little by way of a attack from the visitors 2nd half as they struggle to retain the ball. Late on Pamplin is called into action parrying a long cross away from danger.

     The last action of the half a long range strike from Watford that won't dip in time to trouble the Cambridge goal as the final whistle blows and the match ends Cambridge WFC 5-0 Watford Ladies Development.

    An interesting friendly in that Watford used 2 different starting XI's but then it could have been totally disrupted by constant rolling on and off of subs. A good test for Cambridge 1st half a solid defensive display under pressure, a useful exercise in attack 2nd half that won't do the confidence any harm going into the new season FAWPL South East Division One that is just a week away.

    Cambridge WFC begin their campaign on Sun 24th Aug against Enfield Town LFC a 2pm KO at Ely City FC.



  
          

Sponsoring Bethan Jones

Recently I announced through my twitter feed that my new blog Supporting Women's Football would be sponsoring Cambridge WFC player Bethan Jones. Approached by the club it was an easy decision to make had coming towards the end of the WSL campaign started attending other women's football matches in the South East region had been to see Cambridge WFC a few times was impressed by the standard of football at this level of the game.
   I had sponsored a player at Lincoln Ladies during their final WSL season and from a personal stand point find it a positive and rewarding way of expressing my support. Many clubs up and down the country whatever their size or league offer sponsorship packages for individual players, they are an important way for clubs to raise much needed funds to help with the day to day running of the club and look after it's players and staff, and also gives a boost to the player involved.
    For the sponsor be it a business or individual it has several benefits too. For the individual fan or maybe even group/syndicate of fans it is rewarding to sponsor a player in terms of expressing support and adds further interest to watching the team. For a business it represents a means of added exposure and advertising within the individual clubs sponsorship package, be it through ground, program or website advertising, to what is going to be increasingly more common and a means for the women's game to lead the way somewhat through social media channels such as Twitter or Facebook.
    Cambridge WFC are blessed to have a number of partners to help with promoting the club and it was through these partners I was approached. They have a supporters club run by amberarmy.net @amberarmynet and run a twitter account dedicated to supporting the club @CWFCPressOffice and it is through them I will pick up how the sponsorship deal took place, "The Sponsorship of Bethan happened after we noticed an appeal from her family for a sponsor and after a bit of research we passed the task of gaining a sponsor to club partner and agent Chrome Sport." The A*A spokeswoman continued, "During discussions and negociations with Darren it was brought to our attention that he in fact lives in a nearby area to Bethan," she added, "this helped in negociations as there was some affinity with the player and we were delighted when Chrome were able to seal the deal." In closing she said, "there are still many players yet to be sponsored and we are on the lookout for any willing companies or individuals."
    A spokesman for Chrome Sport @ChromeSport who negociated the sponsorship added, "When we were asked by amberarmy.net who run the CW Press Office and supporters club to negociate a sponsor for Bethan we were delighted to help," he added, "from what we know Bethan travels quite far to play for Cambridge WFC and with Darren (Supporting Women's Football Blog) living in an area not too far from Bethan it works well," he went on, "we continually work with A*A and the club to find sponsor's for the team." In closing he said, "Having watched Bethan play she is deserving of the sponsorship, she is clearly talented and will no doubt go on to prove a very good player for Cambridge WFC in the future."
     The club itself had this to say regarding sponsorship through Cambridge WFC's Vice Chair and reserve regular Vicky Hoover -  For some reason, despite our best efforts we have not had any success in finding a main sponsor for the club, so we have had to try and think of other means of raising the much needed funds the club requires to survive. So the player sponsorship kicked off last season. It was the brain child of our friends at Amber Army, the initial thought was to try and obtain individual player sponsorship and the money would go direct to the players. However after much discussion with players and committee members we all agreed that any funds raised through the sponsorship scheme would go back into the club for the purchase of kit and equipment from which everyone can benefit. Last season we raised enough to purchase new training balls, water bottles, warm up tops and bibs. This season's target is to raise sufficient funds to purchase a new away kit.
     Certainly from my point of view Bethan living nearby to myself was an added extra in deciding to sponsor a player at Cambridge WFC. I can understand the travelling that has to be undertaken to train and play. The club itself has been very welcoming and have a talented group of players. It is a mutually beneficial package as I'm aiming to help promote the women's game through my blog and the club and it's partners will help in this. I am delighted to sponsor Bethan Jones.

Introducing Bethan Jones

    Of course having a blog gives me the opportunity to introduce to everyone the player I am sponsoring at Cambridge WFC, Bethan Jones. Just 17 years old the club told me that she is very much one for the future has been in the 1st team regulary this season, scored her 1st goal for the club away at Brentwood Town LFC back in November.
    Bethan's mother Vicky who takes photographs at Cambridge WFC matches was kind enough to supply me with some background information on Bethan's football career to date starting close to where I currently live near Kings Lynn in Norfolk. For Wootton girls U10 & U11's along with featuring for West Norfolk before moving to Cyprus where she played for Olympiakos in 2007/08, then AE Ammochostos from 2008 - 2012 played ladies football from age 12. Has played with and against current international players from Romania, Sweden and Cyprus. Had the job of marking Scottish international and 2012 GB star Ifeoma Dieke whilst she was on loan to Apollon Ladies.
   Has played against Russian champions Rossyanka and various touring Swedish clubs. Is also the youngest player to score in the Cypriot women's professional league when she was just 12 years old. Below are a few pictures of Bethan from her early fooball career kindly suppled by her mother Vicky.

 

 

     Returning to the United Kingdom, Bethan played for Fakenham Town Ladies in Norfolk during 2012/13 before becoming a Cambridge WFC player. Seen her mostly on the right side of midfield but can fill in at right back has a good turn of pace and looks to attack with the ball can put a tackle in too. Her ambition is to one day play for Wales and I wish her every success in that goal, can look to a fellow South East Combination league player in MK Dons LFC player Alice Hassall who played in all of England U17's games at last years Euro's for inspiration in that aim. I wish her well in her football career going forwards.
    The club were kind enough to provide a few lines regarding Bethan again via Vicky Hoover - Beth first started training with us towards the end of last season, she was still playing for Fakenham Town at the time but asked if she could come along to training and see how she got on. We always like to encourage new players and invited her to come along to training. Although she didn't sign for us last season she was back pre-season and eager to put pen to paper. Beth has established herself as a popular member of the squad, she is very likeable, sometimes quiet and reserved but quick to share a joke. She is one of the youngest members of the squad, which is great because she is a big talent now but still has so much to learn. She really is one to watch. She is a real asset to the club (as is her Mum who takes lots of lovely photos on a match day.) We hope Beth will enjoy a long and lucrative career with us here at Cambridge and we will do our best to nurture her talent.

    In conclusion the club adds - We would really love to find sponsors for more of our players and if possible a main kit sponsor. We have sponsorship packages available and anyone interested can make enquiries via the CWFC press office @CWFCPressOffice or contact the club direct.