SAFC Blog - Sunderland AFC Blog

Time 2020-09-30 20:05:11

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I caught up with the talented Rosie Axten of Derby County, for a chat about her and her thoughts about all things football. Derby are so lucky to have a player of her quality. So how did she come to be playing for the Rams.‘I was playing for Coventry and it was quite far to travel for me, whilst also working a lot. I wanted to enjoy it again as much as I could, so I wanted somewhere closer. I knew a few players who were at Derby. I knew what the set up was like and I knew it was the right team for me and my fun’.Rosie has been in the game for a long time, considering her young age.‘I always played football with the boys at school. I played for Leicester City centre of excellence since I was nine years old and it always meant so much to me. I don’t know what I’d do without it. It’s just part of me’.She’s had some tough tests this season.‘Coming into a new team half way through a season, was a challenge. Then for the season to get cancelled, due to the corona virus was hard. I was so focused and now I’ve got to wait until next season to put the Derby shirt back on. I want to start from where I left off and just smash it’.She had some great moments last season. I ask her to talk me through what immediately springs to mind for her.‘My first goal for Derby, against Middlesbrough. It was a great feeling. You always remember your first goal for a club. It just felt so natural for me to be in a Derby shirt. I know it’s the first of many to come’.She has so many strengths to her developing game.‘I have a confident strike on me. I’m strong, physical and love a good battle. I love to beat players and pick out good passes. I like linking up with other players and playing to their strengths’.Our conversation turns to players she admires in the game.‘Ronaldo, he’s so skilful and full of surprises. Vardy, he gets in great positions and a fantastic goalscorer to watch and learn from. Rooney, I’ve always enjoyed watching him since I was little. He’s scored some screamers and is a standout player for me’.She’s ambitious when it comes to both her and the future for Derby.‘We want to win the league and get promoted to the championship. We want to keep growing and improving as a team. We have the players and ability to achieve’.So how is she coping with the challenges that footballers are facing, in these difficult times?‘I’m doing a lot of long distance running, sprints and also weights at home. I want to keep my fitness up for when football returns. I’m doing ball work and keeping sharp’.She’s a driven and focused footballer. How does she switch off?‘I’ve been watching Waterloo Road, watched Toy Boy and now Normal People. They’re all really good. I normally like to socialise with my friends, going out for meals and desserts. I love a good dessert. I like going to the cinema. I can’t lie, I also love a night in watching a movie and a good old face mask’.Let’s hope Rosie can get back out playing football and seeing her friends, as soon as it’s safe.We chat about what she’d like to see happen to increase growth of the women’s game.‘I’d like to see the game keep growing. I’d like to see more teams have a link up with the men’s clubs. At Derby we’re lucky, we’re most certainly all together as one club. It’s such a great feeling. Having more people watch the games, would be great too. So it can continue growing the women’s game’.She’s so busy that she probably doesn’t have much time for other sports.‘If I’m not at football, work or the gym. I don’t like to sit around. I like to keep myself as busy as I can. If I did have time, I wouldn’t mind trying a bit of boxing’.I wouldn’t be surprised if she was good at that as well. She’s a great talent and somebody Sunderland Ladies and the rest of the league will have to watch closely next season. Stay safe. In the next of my series ‘getting to know the opposition’. I speak to goalkeeper and young outstanding prospect Serena Clarke from Sheffield FC.So what was her passage to playing for one of Sunderland’s league rivals?‘I actually joined them in April 2019 and played four games to finish off the season. I was at Leicester City, but both keepers were injured at Sheffield and they were in a relegation battle. At the time that was one of my hardest decisions, whether to stay with Leicester or finish it off with Sheffield. Luckily I chose Sheffield and loved it, so decided to join them for the 2019/20 season.’I was really interested to find out how the young stopper got into football?‘I have an older brother and he played, I went to watch him regularly as my Dad was manager of the team. I played at the side of the pitch whilst the game was on, and loved it. I then went to summer camp and I’ve never looked back since.’Our conversation turns to the challenges of the most recent season.‘One of the biggest tests has been motivating the team through games. In some of the games this season, we didn’t get the results we wanted, and after conceding a lot of goals it’s easy for our heads to go down. So sometimes it was hard to find the words to keep the team going. Also, it was a tough battle for the number one shirt. At one point in the season we had five goalkeepers challenging for the one spot. I’d just come back from a few weeks out, after suffering a wrist injury. It was a test because I spent a few weeks sitting on the bench. It was ok because our team spirit is high and I just wanted what was best for the team. I wanted to support them despite not being in the starting line up. It made me fight for the shirt.’So what stood out for the young prospect last season?‘It has to be Sunderland away. Although the result didn’t go our way. I felt we won in my eyes. The fact we lost 6-1 against them just a few months prior, we worked away. Although we lost 3-0, with some questionable decisions, we showed how far we’d come as a team.’After seeing her in action in the Sunderland game, I’m well placed to know the many strengths of this talented young keeper. I ask her what she’s see as her best qualities on the pitch?‘My speed, I like to play as a sweeper keeper behind my back four. If the ball goes past them, I’m there to get it. My speed really helps with this. Also, I’m a good communicator, even though I could still improve this. I like to be as involved as possible in the game. I like to encourage the team when they are doing well. I know my defenders like to hear me behind them. It helps with both mine and their game.’For a bit of fun, I ask who her three favourite keepers are?‘Carly Telford (Chelsea Women), Allison Becker (Liverpool) and Demi Lambourne (Leicester City Women).’What are her ambitions for the season?‘We want to do better than we did last season. We’ve been in a relegation battle for the past two seasons. We’re better than that. We want to get Sheffield back to where they belong. I want to keep working hard and cement by place as number one next season.’We chat about her friends in the game.‘I’ve played in quite a few teams so I’ve got friends from this league, and the leagues above and below. I can honestly say from football, I’ve made some of the greatest friends that I’ll keep forever. At Sheffield we’re close, we all get along and our team spirit is high and I speak to most of the team regularly outside of football, even though we have busy lifestyles. Sheffield are massive on the one club approach. I don’t just speak to the first team players. I’m friends with many of the development girls too. I met my bestie Milly Wortley at the club.’I ask her to pick her league best 5-a-side team, with her in goal?Our league is getting better and better as the years go on and so is the quality of the players. There are so many contenders for this team. Ellie Gilliatt (Derby), Beth Roberts (Stoke), Bridget Galloway (Sunderland) and Holly Housley (Sheffield FC).How does she like to relax, when away from the game?‘I love doing things with my friends and family. I’m watching Our Girl, it’s definitely the best thing that has been put in TV.’We chat about a character in the dressing room.‘Hope Knight, her singing and dancing livens up the changing room very very quickly. We had some tough opposition last season. The toughest player for me was Bridget Galloway of Sunderland. She’s young, has lots of potential, always has a goal in her no matter where she is on the pitch, or what time of the game it is. She’s scored a few goals against us this season.’Clarke is obviously missing football.‘I miss the girls and the staff. Like I’ve said before, we’ve got great team spirit and banter is always flying around. We’ve kept in contact in group chats, but it’s not the same is it?’.She’s kept goal at some cracking grounds in her burgeoning career.‘The King Power (Leicester), The Keepmoat (Doncaster Rovers) and St. George’s Park. However, there is no better place to walk out of the tunnel than our home ground, the home of football.’I wonder who has influenced this determined and hardworking young player?‘I’ve had so many great opportunities which have allowed me to work with some amazing coaches. I have to say though that my Mum has been the biggest influence. The countless hours of driving me around the country to fulfil my dream and this wouldn’t have been possible without her. She’s my number one fan that supports me through everything and I’ll be forever grateful for that’.Clarke will have many more fans throughout her promising career, if she continues to play as she did last season. After the news that the FAWNL ended the season early, due to the corona virus outbreak. I was in contact with Stoke Ladies forward Faye McCoy, to find out more about her and Stoke Ladies, who’ll look to push for promotion next season.McCoy joined Stoke Ladies five years ago. It was a move that provided a jump to a higher level from the league below. Prior to that she had been out of the game due to injury. Her successful return from injury resulted in an approach from Stoke Ladies to join them for pre-season training and she already knew some of the squad, helping her to settle in.McCoy has been a student of the game from an early age. She was like a training partner to her brother Andy, who was also a good player. She followed him everywhere and her love for the game blossomed from there.The conversation moves to the past season and the challenges she has faced during it. She ponders this and answers ‘I’m very critical of my own game and give myself a hard time. After moving to the role of centre forward, it was a new challenge, however I want to be the best in the position I play’. When discussing the challenges the team faced, it came as no surprise when she mentioned the table toppers. ‘When you play Sunderland Ladies, it’s always a hard battle. They are a great side and play brilliant football.’When assessing last season, the striker counts her two hat tricks and finishing top goalscorer as her stand out moments personally. She describes her main strengths as her physicality, her constant communication with her teammates and as supporters of the women’s game will know, creating and scoring goals. I ask her if there are any players that she models her game on? ‘I played with some great players during my career. When I played centre midfield, I liked Fara Williams, also Kelly Smith. In the men’s game I always liked Steven Gerrard and Thierry Henry.’So what are the ambitions for her and Stoke Ladies next season. ‘Can I and the team be better than last season. Can I score more goals than last season and can we finish higher in the league.’ She is obviously a popular member of the squad. She spends time with teammates Cassie Hyde and Amy Hughes when she’s away from football. ‘I think I know a player in every other team. I’ve been in the game a while. I know a lot of players at Blackburn.’When asking her to pick a 5-a-side team, in which she must include herself, she goes for her pick of the best in the league. Goalkeeper Charlotte Clarke (Stoke City), Keira Ramshaw (Sunderland), Ellie Gilliat (Derby County) and Cassie Hyde (Stoke City).Working, playing and training means the players live a busy lifestyle. How does the Stoke goalscorer relax outside of the game. ‘I like a good spa day every now and again, spending time with family or watching Netflix.’ I want to find out who the joker is in the dressing room as the girls have such a good team spirit. ‘Ha, unfortunately that’s me. I’m the class clown. Nicola Hudson is a bit of a clown as well, she’s always winding people up.’As the season ended so abruptly, I’m keen to know the training programmes they have in place for next season. ‘We have a quarantine special that’s been sent to us.It keeps us ticking over in these crazy times. I’m sure we’ll have an interesting pre-season training programme coming up in the next few months.’Which players has she found it tough going against this season? ‘Both Keira Ramshaw and Mollie Lambert of Sunderland Ladies are both great technically.’I’m also keen to know who she sees as their promotion rivals for next season. ‘We have a tough league now and after what has happened this year, every team will be raring to go and will have upped their game. I think going off performances this season, Sunderland will be up there again.’Stoke Ladies get great support from their male counterparts. ‘We train at the men’s academy at Clayton Wood, which is a brilliant set up. We do joint appearance days with the men, to promote the club. Hopefully the more success we have, the more backing we’ll receive. That’s what we’ll be striving for next season.’To finish up, we turn our attention to Faye the football fan, such is her love of the game. ‘My love for Everton is like no other. Ha, I blame my Grandad for all of my years of hurt. If you were to cut me, I would bleed blue.’She loves football and she’s a player that’s causes all manner of problems for opposition defences. That’s something Sunderland Ladies and the rest of the league will have to be well aware of when the new season kicks off. I caught up with Neve Herron, who at 16 years old is one of the youngest stars of the Sunderland Ladies team. She answered some quick fire questions, so we can get to know a little bit more about her and her team mates.https://safc.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/neve-herron.mp4**We were in contact before the decision was made by the FA to finish the ladies season early**Favourite movie?The Kissing BoothBest female footballer in the world?Lucy BronzeWhat song you listening to the most at the minute?Man in the mirror Michael JacksonYour best goal of the season?Stoke City awaySave of the season?Claudia Moan against Southampton a great save from a close range volley.What are you binge watching?I’m watching Our Girl.Getting the shop in, what are you gutted about if it’s forgotten?Fizzy lucozade for a match day.Best strike at the club?Keira RamshawBiggest poser?Ha ha, probably Bridget.What are you missing most about the football?Just playing and training with the girls.You’re offered a lift home from training, who are you not getting in the car with?Ha ha, Pottsy (Charlotte Potts).Who is struggling with having no football, the most?Not sure(G Field I think it’s Neve).Do you play any other sports?I like a game of tennis.Quickest player in the team?Mollie LambertWho’s got the best banter in the group chat?Mollie Lambert or Louise Griffiths. When the news was announced last week that the Sunderland Ladies season was over it was met with annoyance and frustration from the supporters, me included. Shortly after, a statement was released by the club that they would not be appealing the decision made by the FA. Things may develop with appeals from other clubs, in the coming days, but as things stand the ladies will start a new season with it all to prove again.So what happens next with Sunderland Ladies? If a side were not able to survive financially, from the two higher leagues of the women’s game, due to the effects of the corona virus. Is it perceivable that the FA would look to the leagues below to replace them and would Sunderland be the beneficiaries of this, albeit in unfortunate circumstances.If events were to unfold in a more traditional way, the girls would kick off again next season, whenever that may be, with the aim of gaining promotion to the second tier of women’s football. I take a look at what positives can be salvaged for the Ladies, in these difficult times we’re living in.The ladies will have gained experience from the season. They had established themselves as the best side in the league. They can take this into the new season. The lasses have a fantastic attitude and work rate so it is highly unlikely that complacency will creep into their performances. When looking at the defence, they are a very solid unit. In Charlotte Potts and Grace McCatty they have a superb centre half partnership which will only get better.When analysing an incredibly strong midfield, the quality has depth to it. The starting eleven in their last game before the season was curtailed, did not include Georgia Gibson and Katie Barker. Those two would start in most sides in the league. When I look at the all round game of 20 year old Bridget Galloway, she is hugely prolific and I don’t see her stopping improving anytime soon. She’ll need to, as teams look at ways to nullify her threat. I’m a big fan of both Neve Herron and Jessica Brown. They will use the season and it’s experiences to come back as better players next season.I do however have concerns. It would be remiss of me not to highlight them. A number of Sunderland Ladies fans have suggested that clubs from the two divisions above them in the pyramid, could look to tempt players away. Do they want to stay for another season to put right a wrong that was not of their doing?Also, how will the setback of a season with no promotion effect them? Let’s be brutally honest here. They were going to win the league. None of the squad would publicly admit it, but they most certainly were. Whatever happens between now and then. I can’t wait to see them in action again next season. I had the pleasure of speaking to Bridget Galloway, goal machine and front player for Sunderland Ladies. In the second of my interviews with the hugely talented and hardworking Sunderland Ladies team, Bridget explains what the team is looking to achieve this season and who inspires her in the women’s game, amongst a whole host of other things.Bridget explains that she made her debut in 2016. She was at Newcastle School of Excellence and then joined Sunderland School of Excellence when she was 12 years old. She moved into the development squad and then into the first team squad. When asked about her toughest test this season, she quickly answered.‘Definitely Birmingham in the FA Cup. We took a different game plan into the game and executed it well.’WSL side Birmingham Ladies are a side two leagues higher than Sunderland Ladies in the football pyramid, but it didn’t show. The Sunderland Ladies side are a team that normally plays on the front foot. In that game, they played in different way and were aware they would not have as much possession as in league games. The ladies were unfortunate to lose the game 1-0. The match ultimately decided with a late strike, which saw their visitors go through to the next round. Bridget again played well and the Birmingham defence never had a moments peace, with the hard working and tenacious forward a constant thorn in their side.The conversation turns to her stand out moments of the season so far, and I’m hoping there’ll be more to come, as the season reaches a dramatic end.‘My hat trick against Hull and Middlesbrough and scoring as many goals as I have this season’.The prolific goalscorer has 21 goals to her name to date. The latest of which was a coolly converted penalty in the recent league win against Sheffield.Bridget has many strengths to her forward play.‘My speed can cause problems for other teams. I’ve scored quite a few goals this season as well.’I add, her phenomenal work rate. Fans that have had the pleasure to watch the Ladies team, would agree with that. When chatting about advice she would give young forwards, she quickly said;‘Set short and long term goals and keep focused’.When I’ve watched Bridget this season, young forward players would have plenty to take from analysing the game of the 20 year old striker. She is a prolific goalscorer, ruthless in and out of the box, incredibly hardworking and adept at leading the line with her movement and strength.When asked about any players she models her game on, the name of Beth Mead is quickly mentioned. The former Sunderland Ladies star is held in high regard by Galloway.‘Her finishing is great and also her creativity. I made my debut, replacing her, back in 2016. I worked with her in training, in the technical sessions and shooting drills. She has fantastic character and always shared knowledge and gave advice.’The conversation moved on to the aims and ambitions for the rest of a potentially hugely successful season for Sunderland Ladies.‘We want promotion and to win the cup’. When asked about her personal ambitions, she said ‘I want to improve as much as I can, keep scoring goals and developing as a player. To keep playing every minute of every game’.Galloway has always been into sport. When she was younger she played with her two older brothers and her Dad. She enjoyed athletics, swimming, gymnastics and tennis. She watched her brothers play and enjoyed a kick around at half time, she explained enthusiastically.‘I want to score as many goals as possible and to try and win the golden boot’.Her ambitions in the game indicate a hugely determined young lady.‘I want to play full time, at the highest level I can, and become the best I can’.Sunderland Ladies have a great team spirit. She mentions her close friends within the team, Mollie Lambert and Louise Griffiths. Also, Claudia Moan and Georgia Gibson who she also studies with at university.I ask what it’s like working under manager Melanie Reay.‘She’s a great coach and motivator. She is able to get the best out of everyone. She takes no shit and you know where you stand with her. Her training sessions are excellent. She was a really good forward herself and the shooting drills are great. She’s really experienced, but she has a laugh at times.’We talk about the Sunderland Ladies fans.‘Thank you so much for your incredible support. Let’s go on and get promotion.’Galloway is a pacy forward, who cites team mates Mollie Lambert and Katie Barker as fellow speed merchants. As we finish off our chat she is keen to state that they are taking it game by game. Sunderland Ladies fans could be in for a treat as the season moves to its conclusion in the coming months. There could be a league and cup double on the horizon. These ladies will do all they can to achieve that. The least we can all do is get to as many games as we can to support them. Please come along, I can guarantee you’ll enjoy it and it’s a fantastic family atmosphere, whether you attend the home games at the Hetton Centre or Hebburn, the home of Hebburn Town.One thing is for sure, we’ll be seeing more goals from Galloway from now until the end of the season. Many of us have been there: you’re skint, you’ve got a demanding family and a hectic home/work life balance, you went to that night out with [place random name here] and embarrassed yourself just two weeks ago- yet you’ve somehow found time, money and approval to go away to follow The Lads and you can’t wait. There’s just something about going away that makes it special and, in most cases, it’s got nothing to do with the match itself. Sure, you’re going to watch it and you have all of the hope and trepidation that come with that but, be honest, that’s not what you’re thinking about the night before an away day whilst you struggle to say hello to sleep. No, you’re looking forward to harking back to your more innocent days. Those days you loved when you were free to roam the land; when you did what you wanted, when you wanted. When you didn’t have that annoying, mocking monkey on your shoulder, prodding your temple to remind you of the jobs you need to do. When you and your closest friends felt like you had all the freedom and empowerment in the world and procrastination simply meant you hadn’t asked your mam to wash your jeans yet. You can’t wait to see familiar faces many of whom you don’t know- and share the joy (you hope) or, more often than not, the frustration that comes with the disease of supporting Sunderland. You can’t wait for that oh so satisfying sound of the ring pull of your first can, slashing against its metal counterpart and ripping through it to reveal the strong scent that alcohol gives off at silly o clock in the morning on the train to nowhere.When the day finally comes, you’re full of the optimism of youth again. Last week’s disappointing display is long gone. This is it. This is the game that will go down in infamy. This is the game that, when your life is in stoppage time, you will tell everyone that will still listen that you were there.All week, your alarm has screamed at you to get out of bed and you’ve ignored it. You’ve lost your daily argument with it Monday-Friday as you’ve tiredly succumbed to its repetitive ring. But not today. You’re awake before it. You’re showered, dressed, prepped, coffee’d up and even had time for a butty in front of the tele before your alarm even knows what’s happening: now who can’t get up eh?!All the while, you hope and pray that the result and performance allows you the ability to sing with pride and give it the biggun to your opposite number. But, you know what, you’re going to play your part either way. You’re going to be amongst friends. You’re going to be a part of a band of brothers and sisters who are going to show the world that We Are Sunderland. It’s not that the hope kills you- it’s the hope that gives you the memories that make you and it’s fucking great. Any fans most exciting part of pre-season, in my eyes, is awaiting the kit reveals. The anticipation, the rumours, then the disappointment when you see it isn’t what you expected.We’ve had that many times over the last few seasons, but what makes a good kit? Is it evenly spaced stripes? Is it stripes on the back? Is it the uniqueness that is so often lost in kits these days? I don’t think we can answer this, what’s beautiful to one person is ugly to another. For me, I assimilate a good kit to a good season. The Adidas kits have been horrendous, as have the seasons we’ve played in them. The 2000-2001 Nike kits were my favourites, our second stint with the Nike swoosh brought with it another 7th place finish in the Premier League whilst also occupying the 2nd place spot for a brief spell in February and quarter finals of the League Cup. I picture Julio Arca, Kevin Phillips, Micky Gray and our Niall. I picture success.Sunderland s next 3 years weren’t great, I’ll concede. But still we look back on the Nike kits as classics. In years to come they’ll be as sought after as the white Hummel 1992-93 away kit. As of next season a new dawn is upon us, Nike are coming back for a 3rd series. What’ll happen? Will the kit be a success or a failure? It is also worth noting the deal will be serviced by Spennymoor based, Just Sport Group. A company themselves steeped in history most notably for their in house brand Avec.We were the first team in England to have Nike on our kits so I pray we have a nod back to the ‘83 home kit. She was a beauty! I am genuinely excited for the future and for the kit. For once it feels like they know exactly what we, the fans, want! Whatever the design I’ll buy it and wear it with pride! Sunderland Ladies really are a superb side to watch. I’ve enjoyed every game I’ve been to, and as the season moves to it’s conclusion, the games are only going to get more tense and more dramatic. The Ladies are working towards a league and cup double. That’s my thoughts on the Ladies team, however, as I found out when Sunderland Ladies goalkeeper Claudia Moan, kindly took time out of her day to speak me, she’s focused and taking one game at a time.Moan is a player I’ve particularly liked watching this season. In football, I’ve always thought that you don’t win anything without a quality goalkeeper. Sunderland Ladies have got one in Moan, don’t worry about that. She signed in July last year, having previously been at rivals Newcastle. She’s focused and ambitious and I get the feeling she’s not the only one, in this strong minded, hardworking and technically gifted side.As as goalkeeper of 21 years of age, she’s got a long career ahead of her. She explained that a full time career in the game is one of her many ambitions. There was no hesitation from Moan, when asked, about how she approached pre-season with the Ladies.‘I was going into it looking to improve in every session. I wanted to play regularly this season. It was really hard, but so enjoyable’.Speaking to Moan, and having watched the Ladies this season, it’s clear to see these girls aren’t afraid of hard work. What’s impressed me and the rapidly growing ranks of lasses fans I’ve spoken to, is the quality in every area of the team. This is isn’t a side that relies on one or two players. This is a team oozing with quality.When she was asked about her toughest tests this season, she quickly replies.‘Birmingham definitely. Nottingham Forest too, they were straight at us. The weather was bad too. Stoke was another hard game’.When asked about who she’d include in an all star 5-a-side team, she paused. The answer shouldn’t have surprised me. I’d said, no Sunderland Ladies players allowed. I could tell she wasn’t entirely comfortable with the question. I knew what she was thinking, so I said ok, including your teammates. She immediately started listing players from her side. That for me, tells you all you need to know about the team spirit and togetherness that brilliant team manager, Melanie Reay, has fostered within the lasses camp.When asked about the many strengths of her game, she was typically modest.‘When I’m playing my best, my distribution. Starting moves from the back’I excitedly interrupted with shot stopping. Anyone who saw the save against Southampton, in the cup semi final, would agree with me on that. When she was asked what message she’d give anyone who was thinking of coming to watch for the first time. She replied‘really enjoy it. It’s a really positive atmosphere. Once you’ve been, please spread the word to other people.’Moan was happy to tell me about what else contributes towards the incredible team spirit in the camp.‘Charlotte Potts and Georgia Gibson are great for positivity and Mel Reay can be a laugh with the things she says.’What advice would she give aspiring young girls or boys on goalkeeping.‘Don’t give up. Don’t let anything get you down. Positive thinking.’Our conversation turned to the Sunderland Ladies support.‘They’ve been great. The fans have been enjoying the games. We’re thriving off it’.Claudia lives and breathes football. If she’s not playing or training for the lasses, she’s doing the same for her university. She’s also got her studies, which she’s due to complete in the coming months. When it’s not the football season, she trains with a personal trainer to keep fit for the season ahead.She counts the people who have a a big impact on her career so far.‘My Mam, Dad and my two older brothers. They help me have a positive mindset and to push myself on’.What are her thoughts on her, and the lasses, for the future.‘I would like to see us get promoted and to win cup finals. I would love for us to have more and more support and for more funding’.Moan and the rest of the team have a testing end to the season. Who would bet against a league and cup double for Sunderland Ladies? Not me. I’ve been fortunate enough to have watched the Sunderland Ladies team, on a number of occasions over the last couple of months. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of the games I’ve seen. There’s a lot of things that have contributed to my enjoyment of the matches. I think for me, I was surprised at the team spirit that the manager has fostered. In the games I’ve watched, whatever the conditions, whatever the other team has thrown at them, they don’t seem fazed at all. They appear unflappable and focused. I think this may be in the mold of their manager, I’ve never met her, but have only heard good things about her.The players seem like a real approachable set of women. I’ve seen from my own experience, and from that of others, that they interact with fans on Twitter where they can. They really appreciate fans coming along to support them. If you’re thinking of going along to watch a Sunderland Ladies match, I’d ask you to do so, I can pretty much guarantee you’ll enjoy it.Goalkeeper Claudia Moan is a superb performer. It’s testament to her concentration, that her levels never seem to drop. In some games she doesn’t have a lot to do, but when she does, she doesn’t let anyone down. However, as seen in recent games against Birmingham Ladies of the WSL, and Southampton, top of their league, she’s been a lot more busy and has performed well. She’s definitely one to look out for in the future. Let’s be honest she’s only going to get better.At the back, the Ladies look particularly strong, both McCatty and Potts would not look out of place at a higher level. Their reading of the game is exceptional. When looking at the midfield, Maria Farrugia is so tenacious and is great to watch on the ball. Do I need to try and say something about club legend Ramshaw, that hasn’t been said before. This girl is a classy performer on and off the pitch, by all accounts.Every quality side needs someone who can put the ball in the net on a regular basis. The Ladies certainly have that and a lot more. Step forward Bridget Galloway, she is the proper all round centre forward. She scores lots of goals, she can run the channels and she never gives the opposing centre half a minute of peace. In Herron, they have a young player of quality and huge potential. She’s destined for the WSL. Let’s hope it’s with Sunderland Ladies.Finally, the atmosphere at the games is great. There’s no negativity and the players are approachable after the final whistle, with time for fans photograph and autograph requests. Get yourself along, you’ll thoroughly enjoy it.

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