Safe to say a part 2 concerning the transfer comings and goings within the WSL this winter period was a good call because the activity between the various clubs has only intensified in regards to player movement and even though it still isn't over yet think it's time for an update of just who's gone where. Part 1 of the WSL Transfer Buzz wrapped up the deals done till the 21st of December and we all knew then there were still deals to be done but on this scale.....
Guess the best place to start with is Notts County Ladies who had worringly not done alot before Christmas and had barely enough players left from the Lincoln set up to make up a team let alone a squad. That was to change big time over these next four weeks 1st in was Carly Telford, the goalkeeper I thought might come to Notts and be reunited with Rick Passmoor who like Ellen White who'd come in earlier played for him during their Leeds days. There were departures but I'll come onto those. Come 2nd Jan it was the clubs marquee signing the only one they've brought in that's made me go "Wow!" Canadian international midfielder Diseree Scott, (The Destroyer) a real coup for the WSL club. Two New Zealand internationals were to sign shortly afterwards midfielder Katie Hoyle and full back Anna Greene both extremely experienced. In between these two signing was that of Scottish defender Rachel Corsie from Glasgow City... at last the squad looked more balanced and looked like it would be a competive force in the WSL in 2014.
The club wasn't done there however as this past week has seen a further raft of new players coming in firstly Melbourne Victory striker Caitlin Friend who has been in great scoring form in the W League this season. Yesterday saw not 1... not 2... but 3 new players arriving all vastly experienced and English in midfielder Katie Holtham who is from the Nottingham area, Dunia Susi a very versatile player who mainly operates at right back although I think she can do a good job further up the pitch and lastly Rachel Unitt, a long time favourite of mine brings a wealth of experience to the back line. It wouldn't surprise me if Notts aren't finished yet but this is now a very competitive squad vastly changed from last season of course, but then so was the Liverpool team that took the WSL title last season at the moment I'd think only Jess Clarke and Sophie Bradley would be regular starters but who knows.
There have of course been departures from the club alot of fans favourites with Martha Harris and Karen Bardsly moving to Liverpool and Manchester City respectfully, it was another crowd favorite that moved on the 24th December, Remi Allen to Birmingham a great signing in my opinion Potter and Moore are as good a midfield pair as any in the WSL and adding Remi Allen to that will make the middle of the park a tough place to be. Birmingham also brought in attacker Hannah Keryakoplis. Losing Rachel Unitt was a blow her experience will be missed. Also the club revealed Isobel Christiansen was in talks with another WSL club but as of now nothing has been revealed.
Casey Stoney another crowd favourite opted not to sign a new deal at Notts and took on a new challenge going back to Arsenal Ladies at last another welcome signing for the club after bringing in Siobhan Chamberlain. Vastly experienced and perfect for a club in transition as players come and go. Arsenal brought in another player with plenty of experience and previous knowledge of the WSL in Dutch star Anouk Hoogendijk. With players leaving in droves it seemed it must have been a relief when 1st Rachel Yankey, then Kelly Smith commited themselves to the club and let's hope the latter especially can have an injury free season as Kelly still has so much to offer. The club needed to bring in additional attacking options and did so yesterday (30th) with the signing of Scottish player Christie Murray, again from Glasgow City. Arsenal still has a very strong starting XI could do with additions to fill the squad.
Two big departures from the club however were to the benefit of fellow London club Chelsea as Emma Hayes got the signatures of both Katie Chapman and Gilly Flaherty which gives the club an impressive looking spine with Laura Bassett and Eniola Aluko. This week they announced the signing of South Korean star Ji So-Yun who will bring something very different to women's football in England and just today (31st) Swedish player Emma Wilhelmsson. They like Notts will be extremely competitive this season.
Liverpool had only brought in two players so far and when you have a settled and successful team I think that's all you need, they did however require a new goalkeeper and have signed American Libby Stout from BV Cloppenburg. Their Merseyside rivals have still only made the one signing in Abby Pope but having long term injury victim Fern Whelan returning will be a huge boost have also named Michelle Hinnigan as captain.
Bristol Academy having lost their manager Mark Sampson needed a replacement and have brought in Dave Edmondson currently coaching in Australia with W League outfit Melbourne Victory will be interesting to see whether he brings anyone over with him. The club has worked hard to secure the signatures of the squad that done so well to clinch second place last season but as yet no news on a new goalkeeper following the departure of Siobhan Chamberlain.
That leaves Manchester City the team I think everyone expected to do what Notts County has done and buy a new team instead they have been quite sensible in the transfer market gone with the let's find our feet first approach which I think is good as they are the new team to the league have signed Jess Holbrook from Liverpool along with Danielle Young from Blackburn Rovers and Emma Lipman from Leeds. Were launched/relaunched earlier this month becoming Manchester City Women as a pose to Ladies will be a force but maybe not title challenges... yet.
There are still no doubt a few more to come and go two or three notable names still out there more anouncements to come but the teams and coming season is taking shape now, it does need to settle down and it'll be great when at last the football can do the talking.
A fan of the sport doing my small part to help promote the women's game
Showing posts with label WSL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WSL. Show all posts
Friday, 31 January 2014
Saturday, 21 December 2013
WSL Transfer Buzz
Well I thought a blog entry on this WSL transfer period would be something I'd be rounding up when the dust had settled and the new season was ready to begin, but such has been the cyclone of activity blowing through the top tier of English women's football I feel it prudent to summarise the various comings and goings between clubs up to date.
After 3 seasons of an elite league of 8 unchanged teams the 2014 season brings with it change as the WSL gains a 2nd tier of 10 teams. It is the WSL 1 as it will become where there has been a great deal of movement of players. As of the 2014 season the WSL 1 has a new entrant in the form of Manchester City Ladies who somewhat controversally replaced Doncaster Rovers Belles who will been lining up in WSL 2 next season.
It is with Manchester City I will begin. A club with money behind it they got into the WSL set up at the expense of some established women's football names, nevertheless everyone expected them to spend big and bring in star names there were rumours galore one of the most notable being the arrival of USA international goalkeeper Hope Solo. As it was the goalkeeper who did arrive was something of a surprise in the form of current England No 1 Karen Bardsley from Lincoln Ladies. 1st to arrive however was her England team mate midfielder Jill Scott from Everton after deciding not to renew her contract, she was closely followed by another Everton star and England striker Toni Duggan. Now as far as I understand it a WSL team is allowed to have 4 England internationals in it's squad so it was a case of waiting to see whom the 4th would be with a goalkeeper, striker and midfielder a defender was required to complete the set and Manchester City signed versatile England player Steph Houghton from Arsenal. The club has also signed Steph Marsh from Blackburn Rovers Ladies.
The team has a solid spine but to be challenging for the title you would think they would still need to bring in 7/8 top signings but you have to walk before you can run and that might be an unrealistic aim for their 1st season of top football.
I say this however as I move onto Liverpool Ladies the current WSL champions, this after an injection of cash from the men's club see them go from rock bottom the previous 2 seasons to the top of the pile. Matt Beard brought in an entire new team of players then the English quartet as Manchester City have done but also the likes of oversea's internationals such as Whitney Engen, Louise Fors and Corina Schroder. Matt Beard has a strong squad at his disposal so my thought was only 2/3 additions would be needed to defend their title. The clubs 1st move was something of a surprise as they signed a player who was probably the best performer in the league in 2013 and certainly at her club Lincoln Ladies, England U19 international Martha Harris. An extremely shrewd transfer Matt Beard was to also sprung another coup in signing Gemma Davison from Arsenal Ladies in contrast to Martha Harris' huge potential she brings a wealth of experience and Natasha Dowie will thrive on her service. A surprise departure was goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill so Liverpool will be looking for a keeper expect 1 or 2 more in yet.
Likewise the team who finished 2nd last season Bristol Academy Women had a good blend of demestic players and 2 experienced Spanish strikers a surprise package to some, the teams achievements have no doubt helped their manager Mark Sampson as he takes up the ultimate challenge of becoming head coach of the English national team. As of yet no new players have come in although they have secured the services of striker Laura del Rio. One of the biggest transfer moves was the departure of goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain to Arsenal ladies. Need a manager installed quickly if they want to bring new players in.
This was something of a much needed boost to Arsenal Ladies fans as they had seen a host of star players leaving the club after their 3rd place finish and seemingly several more players yet to agree new contracts it is something of a transititional time for the long time unchallenged team in English women's football. Siobhan Chamberlain is a vastly experienced goalkeeper. It was however a little strange that their long serving Irish No 1 goalkeeper Emma Byrne signed a new deal as she has been unchallenged for years will be interesting to see how the club will accommodate both. It was at least a player coming into Arsenal Ladies will they be able a attract more, you would certainly think so and some more will sign new deals eventually.
Just as it was looking up for Arsenal another star player departed however this time another surprise move (have I said that already?) striker Ellen White rejoining her old manager Rick Passmoor at Notts County Ladies. The rebranded clubs 1st signing in this transfer period and the much needed goal scorer they were lacking in the previous campaign whilst still Lincoln Ladies. As some have pointed out she is a target player who thrived on the service the likes of Yankey, Davison and co provided at Arsenal. She will need players to help her and a look at the Notts County Ladies page on the FAWSL website shows you their squad is extremely thin on the ground. More players will be coming in no doubt this window has proved that and the club will need more if they want to push for a top half finish.
The 1st team to make a move in the transfer was Chelsea. Coach Emma Hayes undoubtedly disappointed with their 2nd bottom finish let several players go and was quick to snap up newly released striker Rachel Williams from Birmingham City Ladies. A proven goal scorer in the WSL she had a poor 2013 season and lost her England place linking up again with Eniola Aluko she will no doubt want to win it back and will need plenty of goals to do so. Joining her from Birmingham after finishing her contract was defender Laura Bassett.
Birmingham City Ladies have been quiet in this transfer period so far however that being said I like what manager David Parker is doing there as he has brought in a group of younger players the likes of Kirsty Linnett, Melissa Lawley and Aoife Mannion taking a different approach to other clubs you would still expect to see 1 or 2 arrivals yet.
That leaves Everton Ladies whose fans must be very deflated after seeing 1st Liverpool Ladies, and now Manchester City Ladies tempt their star players away. They like Birmingham City Ladies however have alot of young talented players and put out an announcement just last night that 16 of their players had committed to new deals another Fern Whelan adding her commitment to the club as she recovers from injury. A strong statement from the club it was good to see.
Still alot more to come I feel there are some notable free agents still out there such as Dunia Susi, Katie Holtham, Meaghan Sargeant and Carly Telford (and at least 3 teams might be after a new goalkeeper) more twists and turns shocks and surprises....stay tuned.
A brief mention for WSL 2 as there has been some surprising and eye opening moves as the 2nd teir gears up for the new season most notably from Yeovil Town Ladies who have signed up the experienced Katie Sherwood and Welsh international Helen Bleazard from the area who was released by Chelsea. Millwall Lionesses have swooped for goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill and striker Lillie Billson from Lincoln the later will be a threat in WSL 2 no doubt. Also Reading now with ex Arsenal star Jane Ludlow in charge have signed Welsh striker Helen Ward. Lastly and most notably Doncaster Rovers Belles haven't lost any players to date despite their demotion which is good news for the club and I'd be disappointed if a Belles fan didn't come on twitter and say 'damn right too!' WSL 2 could very well prove to be very interesting in 2014.
No doubt someone just signed for a club just 5 minutes ago but I shall leave it there for now.
After 3 seasons of an elite league of 8 unchanged teams the 2014 season brings with it change as the WSL gains a 2nd tier of 10 teams. It is the WSL 1 as it will become where there has been a great deal of movement of players. As of the 2014 season the WSL 1 has a new entrant in the form of Manchester City Ladies who somewhat controversally replaced Doncaster Rovers Belles who will been lining up in WSL 2 next season.
It is with Manchester City I will begin. A club with money behind it they got into the WSL set up at the expense of some established women's football names, nevertheless everyone expected them to spend big and bring in star names there were rumours galore one of the most notable being the arrival of USA international goalkeeper Hope Solo. As it was the goalkeeper who did arrive was something of a surprise in the form of current England No 1 Karen Bardsley from Lincoln Ladies. 1st to arrive however was her England team mate midfielder Jill Scott from Everton after deciding not to renew her contract, she was closely followed by another Everton star and England striker Toni Duggan. Now as far as I understand it a WSL team is allowed to have 4 England internationals in it's squad so it was a case of waiting to see whom the 4th would be with a goalkeeper, striker and midfielder a defender was required to complete the set and Manchester City signed versatile England player Steph Houghton from Arsenal. The club has also signed Steph Marsh from Blackburn Rovers Ladies.
The team has a solid spine but to be challenging for the title you would think they would still need to bring in 7/8 top signings but you have to walk before you can run and that might be an unrealistic aim for their 1st season of top football.
I say this however as I move onto Liverpool Ladies the current WSL champions, this after an injection of cash from the men's club see them go from rock bottom the previous 2 seasons to the top of the pile. Matt Beard brought in an entire new team of players then the English quartet as Manchester City have done but also the likes of oversea's internationals such as Whitney Engen, Louise Fors and Corina Schroder. Matt Beard has a strong squad at his disposal so my thought was only 2/3 additions would be needed to defend their title. The clubs 1st move was something of a surprise as they signed a player who was probably the best performer in the league in 2013 and certainly at her club Lincoln Ladies, England U19 international Martha Harris. An extremely shrewd transfer Matt Beard was to also sprung another coup in signing Gemma Davison from Arsenal Ladies in contrast to Martha Harris' huge potential she brings a wealth of experience and Natasha Dowie will thrive on her service. A surprise departure was goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill so Liverpool will be looking for a keeper expect 1 or 2 more in yet.
Likewise the team who finished 2nd last season Bristol Academy Women had a good blend of demestic players and 2 experienced Spanish strikers a surprise package to some, the teams achievements have no doubt helped their manager Mark Sampson as he takes up the ultimate challenge of becoming head coach of the English national team. As of yet no new players have come in although they have secured the services of striker Laura del Rio. One of the biggest transfer moves was the departure of goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain to Arsenal ladies. Need a manager installed quickly if they want to bring new players in.
This was something of a much needed boost to Arsenal Ladies fans as they had seen a host of star players leaving the club after their 3rd place finish and seemingly several more players yet to agree new contracts it is something of a transititional time for the long time unchallenged team in English women's football. Siobhan Chamberlain is a vastly experienced goalkeeper. It was however a little strange that their long serving Irish No 1 goalkeeper Emma Byrne signed a new deal as she has been unchallenged for years will be interesting to see how the club will accommodate both. It was at least a player coming into Arsenal Ladies will they be able a attract more, you would certainly think so and some more will sign new deals eventually.
Just as it was looking up for Arsenal another star player departed however this time another surprise move (have I said that already?) striker Ellen White rejoining her old manager Rick Passmoor at Notts County Ladies. The rebranded clubs 1st signing in this transfer period and the much needed goal scorer they were lacking in the previous campaign whilst still Lincoln Ladies. As some have pointed out she is a target player who thrived on the service the likes of Yankey, Davison and co provided at Arsenal. She will need players to help her and a look at the Notts County Ladies page on the FAWSL website shows you their squad is extremely thin on the ground. More players will be coming in no doubt this window has proved that and the club will need more if they want to push for a top half finish.
The 1st team to make a move in the transfer was Chelsea. Coach Emma Hayes undoubtedly disappointed with their 2nd bottom finish let several players go and was quick to snap up newly released striker Rachel Williams from Birmingham City Ladies. A proven goal scorer in the WSL she had a poor 2013 season and lost her England place linking up again with Eniola Aluko she will no doubt want to win it back and will need plenty of goals to do so. Joining her from Birmingham after finishing her contract was defender Laura Bassett.
Birmingham City Ladies have been quiet in this transfer period so far however that being said I like what manager David Parker is doing there as he has brought in a group of younger players the likes of Kirsty Linnett, Melissa Lawley and Aoife Mannion taking a different approach to other clubs you would still expect to see 1 or 2 arrivals yet.
That leaves Everton Ladies whose fans must be very deflated after seeing 1st Liverpool Ladies, and now Manchester City Ladies tempt their star players away. They like Birmingham City Ladies however have alot of young talented players and put out an announcement just last night that 16 of their players had committed to new deals another Fern Whelan adding her commitment to the club as she recovers from injury. A strong statement from the club it was good to see.
Still alot more to come I feel there are some notable free agents still out there such as Dunia Susi, Katie Holtham, Meaghan Sargeant and Carly Telford (and at least 3 teams might be after a new goalkeeper) more twists and turns shocks and surprises....stay tuned.
A brief mention for WSL 2 as there has been some surprising and eye opening moves as the 2nd teir gears up for the new season most notably from Yeovil Town Ladies who have signed up the experienced Katie Sherwood and Welsh international Helen Bleazard from the area who was released by Chelsea. Millwall Lionesses have swooped for goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill and striker Lillie Billson from Lincoln the later will be a threat in WSL 2 no doubt. Also Reading now with ex Arsenal star Jane Ludlow in charge have signed Welsh striker Helen Ward. Lastly and most notably Doncaster Rovers Belles haven't lost any players to date despite their demotion which is good news for the club and I'd be disappointed if a Belles fan didn't come on twitter and say 'damn right too!' WSL 2 could very well prove to be very interesting in 2014.
No doubt someone just signed for a club just 5 minutes ago but I shall leave it there for now.
Saturday, 19 October 2013
The Rebranding - Lincoln Ladies to become Notts County Ladies
I'm a Ladyimps fan I feel I'd best start here. A 12thimp as we started referring to ourselves in the last season. Proud to be a 12thimp too. That of course leads to the future the REBRANDING and the questions I have been asked by so many. How do you feel about it? And then, what are you going to do?
I was stunned like most fans of the club when the news broke back in April through the poorly thought through and hardly needed statement from the FA, something that disappointingly was going to be a theme from the sports governing body from then on in and something the club itself used to hide behind. It was a huge shadow that affected the team all season and on the eve of our FA Cup semi-final down at Bristol the biggest game in the clubs history (at that point) it had affected the players no doubt.
Personally I was shocked I'm a football fan got behind a club had just joined the newly formed Supporters Club, had sponsored a player too. Strangely up to that point I was fairly inactive on Twitter, that changed that day so you can blame the rebranding on that too. In the previous season and a half I had had little engagement with my fellow fans (I can be a shy chap believe it or not) with the formation of the Supporters Club we came together. I suppose because I travelled from Norfolk I felt like a bit of an outsider however I know that was not the case getting to know everyone I have felt very welcome and have made some good and I am sure lasting friends it has been a real highlight and I suppose my sadness at this move comes from my feelings for those in the county of Lincolnshire who were prepared to get behind this club and make it a success.
The most frustrating thing for myself has been my drive to understand the decision and the lack of explanation, because I do want to understand. Don't think I don't at this point because although it's been like getting blood from a stone I have spoken to various sources at length on the subject.
Lincoln Ladies will become Notts County Ladies from 2014 as the WSL enters its second phase and gains a second tier. It is a franchise league which means teams bid to secure a place in it. Lincoln Ladies are owned by Ray Trew who is also the owner of Notts County men's club. Teams in the current WSL set up and the new bidders 33 in total had to submit a bid to join the new 2 tier WSL 1 & 2 these criteria included, playing facilities and financial backing on this basis it meant the merging of 2 clubs into 1 and with the men's club being the larger Lincoln Ladies and it's 18 year history was the casualty. Lincoln Ladies as it stood would not have been able to retain its place in the WSL based on the terms laid out by the FA.
If this rebranding had happened in the men's game there would have been uproar, debate on a national level... it was the women however and barely caused a ripple that is perhaps an example of how far the sport has to come?
The club is becoming Notts County Ladies the Ladyimps will be no more that is that. Now I became involved when the club first joined the WSL and then Lincoln Ladies own inclusion caused a stir the casualty then was Leeds of whom several Lincoln players came from and looking at that group in general Leeds had one hell of a side so there were losers back in 2011 too. Someone said to me and it is a valid point had Notts County been in a WSL side back in 2011 and not Lincoln would I have gone to support because they would have still been the nearest, although only just?
I think that's fair enough from my point of view, I am an exception but by no stretch the only one, a fan who is prepared to travel stupid miles to support a team. It is the people of Lincoln who have lost out, they have lost a club 18 years in history which I had a brief glimpse of however like myself they are passionate about the game and will find a way to support the women who want to play the game and maybe I hope another Lincoln team will rise, someone in the county will take advantage of what was a strong and growing fan base. A lot walked away when the rebranding was announced but 500+ had turned up for that first league game in 2013 the potential was certainly there.
Well what am I going to do?
This is a good question I suppose you have to take the emotion out of it progress is not without victims and in this case a football club is no more, wasn't the first, will not be the last. I guess over the course of the 2013 season my own evolution as a fan began albeit subconsciously to start with. Franchise football, what the hell is that all about this is England for goodness sakes, not America? Who better to ask then than an American (oddly several of them aren't fond of franchised sport either) however they get it and I did listen to what my friend had to say, over there you don't always support the 'club' as strongly as you do the players within it.
It wasn't the only reason and I know I wasn't the only fan with this mindset we kept coming because we support the girls who just want to play the game. It was those same players who were thankful for the support too. We all have our favourite players after all and I guess if enough of those players are still at Notts County come the start of the 2014 I will support them, it will be for them and myself a new beginning. However there is a long winter period, which will see lots of coming and goings player wise involving all clubs not just Notts County, Man City are new too and we don't know yet what they're spending power is. Liverpool won't stand still either thus the rest will have to act. It will be very interesting.
One thing is certain my passion to support has only grown.
I was stunned like most fans of the club when the news broke back in April through the poorly thought through and hardly needed statement from the FA, something that disappointingly was going to be a theme from the sports governing body from then on in and something the club itself used to hide behind. It was a huge shadow that affected the team all season and on the eve of our FA Cup semi-final down at Bristol the biggest game in the clubs history (at that point) it had affected the players no doubt.
Personally I was shocked I'm a football fan got behind a club had just joined the newly formed Supporters Club, had sponsored a player too. Strangely up to that point I was fairly inactive on Twitter, that changed that day so you can blame the rebranding on that too. In the previous season and a half I had had little engagement with my fellow fans (I can be a shy chap believe it or not) with the formation of the Supporters Club we came together. I suppose because I travelled from Norfolk I felt like a bit of an outsider however I know that was not the case getting to know everyone I have felt very welcome and have made some good and I am sure lasting friends it has been a real highlight and I suppose my sadness at this move comes from my feelings for those in the county of Lincolnshire who were prepared to get behind this club and make it a success.
The most frustrating thing for myself has been my drive to understand the decision and the lack of explanation, because I do want to understand. Don't think I don't at this point because although it's been like getting blood from a stone I have spoken to various sources at length on the subject.
Lincoln Ladies will become Notts County Ladies from 2014 as the WSL enters its second phase and gains a second tier. It is a franchise league which means teams bid to secure a place in it. Lincoln Ladies are owned by Ray Trew who is also the owner of Notts County men's club. Teams in the current WSL set up and the new bidders 33 in total had to submit a bid to join the new 2 tier WSL 1 & 2 these criteria included, playing facilities and financial backing on this basis it meant the merging of 2 clubs into 1 and with the men's club being the larger Lincoln Ladies and it's 18 year history was the casualty. Lincoln Ladies as it stood would not have been able to retain its place in the WSL based on the terms laid out by the FA.
If this rebranding had happened in the men's game there would have been uproar, debate on a national level... it was the women however and barely caused a ripple that is perhaps an example of how far the sport has to come?
The club is becoming Notts County Ladies the Ladyimps will be no more that is that. Now I became involved when the club first joined the WSL and then Lincoln Ladies own inclusion caused a stir the casualty then was Leeds of whom several Lincoln players came from and looking at that group in general Leeds had one hell of a side so there were losers back in 2011 too. Someone said to me and it is a valid point had Notts County been in a WSL side back in 2011 and not Lincoln would I have gone to support because they would have still been the nearest, although only just?
I think that's fair enough from my point of view, I am an exception but by no stretch the only one, a fan who is prepared to travel stupid miles to support a team. It is the people of Lincoln who have lost out, they have lost a club 18 years in history which I had a brief glimpse of however like myself they are passionate about the game and will find a way to support the women who want to play the game and maybe I hope another Lincoln team will rise, someone in the county will take advantage of what was a strong and growing fan base. A lot walked away when the rebranding was announced but 500+ had turned up for that first league game in 2013 the potential was certainly there.
Well what am I going to do?
This is a good question I suppose you have to take the emotion out of it progress is not without victims and in this case a football club is no more, wasn't the first, will not be the last. I guess over the course of the 2013 season my own evolution as a fan began albeit subconsciously to start with. Franchise football, what the hell is that all about this is England for goodness sakes, not America? Who better to ask then than an American (oddly several of them aren't fond of franchised sport either) however they get it and I did listen to what my friend had to say, over there you don't always support the 'club' as strongly as you do the players within it.
It wasn't the only reason and I know I wasn't the only fan with this mindset we kept coming because we support the girls who just want to play the game. It was those same players who were thankful for the support too. We all have our favourite players after all and I guess if enough of those players are still at Notts County come the start of the 2014 I will support them, it will be for them and myself a new beginning. However there is a long winter period, which will see lots of coming and goings player wise involving all clubs not just Notts County, Man City are new too and we don't know yet what they're spending power is. Liverpool won't stand still either thus the rest will have to act. It will be very interesting.
One thing is certain my passion to support has only grown.
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