Bradford City WFC vs Middlesbrough LFC Programme

Bradford City Women’s Football Club
Bradford City WFC
vs
Middlesbrough LFC
FA Women’s Premier League
Sunday 28 August, 2016
Kick-off 2PM

Proud Sponsors of
Bradford City Women’s
Football Club
Tel 01274 882331 Fax 01274 882332
Email info@patchett-joinery.co.uk
Patchett Joinery
Ryefield House
180 Highgate Road
Queensbury
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD13 1DS
2

THECLUB
THEPROGRAMME
THE PEOPLE
Club Chair: Sally Thackray
Club Treasurer: Allyson Matthews
Coach Liaison: Jess Pearson
Player Liaison Officer: Jess Pearson
Football Development Officer: Charlotte Stuart
Club Secretary: Sally Thackray
Media Officer: Amee Ruszkai
Photographer: George Wood
Senior Coaches: Charlotte Stuart, Lee Harrison,
Declan Smith, Chris Birks
Junior Coaches: Charlotte Stuart, Shauna Legge,
Adam Fox, Andy Uttley, Joe Bray, Paul Scott, Georgia
Clipson, Danny Barker, Samir Butt, Amee
Ruszkai, Antonia Butcher
THE HONOURS
Yorkshire and Humberside League Champions:
1988/89 1995/96
Yorkshire Plate Runners-up: 1989
Yorkshire Cup Winners: 1996
Northern Division Champions: 1996/97
FA Cup Quarter Finals: 1998
Premier League Cup Semi Finalists: 1998
North East Premier League Champions: 2006/07
County Cup Champions: 2006, 2014, 2015, 2016
THE DETAILS
First Team Home Venue:
Eccleshill United, Kingsway, Bradford. BD2 1PN
Training Venue/Reserves Home Venue:
Rawdon Meadows, BD10 0NN
Email: info@bcwfc.co.uk
Website: www.bcwfc..co.uk
Twitter: @bcwfc
Facebook: /bcwfc
Instagram: @bcwfc
5 Chair Chatter: Chairwoman Sally Thackray gives
her thoughts ahead of this afternoon’s game
6 Match Preview: All you need to know about
today’s fixture
8-9 Laura Elford: The City striker talks scoring goals
and bouncing back
11 The A Team: Our Development Team started their
League Cup title defence with a win last weekend
14 Today’s Opposition — Middlesbrough: Just who
are this afternoon’s visitors?
15-17 The FA Women’s Premier League: Catch up on the
opening week’s results, look ahead to today’s
fixtures, and view the early season standings
19 Our Home of Football — Eccleshill United: Catch
up with our ground-sharers
20-21 Last time out: Read up on the Bantams’ last
outing, as they faced Derby County
22 Stuart McCall’s Bantams: The men’s team have
started the season in fine form
23 Fixtures and Results: The club’s full schedule for
the new season
THE FACTS
Last week’s defeat to Derby continued City’s unwanted
tradition of never having won any of their
season openers in the FAWPL.. However, they have
bounced back with wins in their second fixtures in
the last two seasons.
This is the first meeting between these two teams,
at first team level, since the FAWPL was formed.
THE ISSUE
Editor: Ameé Ruszkai
Photos: George Wood
Print: Staples (Bradford)
3

Zoe Roberts readies herself for a corner in last weekend’s game with Derby County.
4

Chair Chatter: Sally Thackray
Good afternoon to everyone for today’s FA Women’s Premier League North fixture
against Middlesbrough FC Ladies. A warm welcome to all players, club officials and
spectators who have made the journey from the North to be here this afternoon.
This is another difficult game to gauge as, although we have played Middlesbrough
many times in the past, they are newly promoted to the FA Women's Premier
League this season, having lost only two league games last year.
Encounters were always very competitive so I am sure we can expect a tough game
with both teams trying to finish with the three points. Middlesbrough had an excellent
6-0 win over last year’s league winners, West Brom, so they have clearly announced
they are a force to be reckoned with. Our own fixture last week finished in a
2-0 defeat, but there were lots of positives to take from the game; the desire, hard
work and commitment from the team would be difficult to better. If that continues
the points will follow, and I know we will be doing our best to start that today.
The FA Women's Premier League has received some sad news this week. Dave Coyle
from Portsmouth FC Ladies has passed away following a long battle with cancer. Dave
was a Lifetime President of the Club, and had been heavily involved with Portsmouth
for over 25 years. Although due to our distance from Portsmouth, we have not had a
great deal of contact with them, we nevertheless are thinking about them, and our
thoughts are also with Dave's family and friends at this sad time. As a mark of respect
for Dave and his contribution to the women's game, we will observe a minutes silence
prior to today’s match.
Finally, we are still seeking sponsorship for various things. If you, or anyone you know,
is interested in helping us, please email me at: sally@bcwfc.co.uk
Enjoy the game,
Sally
5

Match Preview: Bradford City vs Middlesbrough
Derby celebrate opening the scoring here last week. Can the Bantams bounce back today?
Bradford City welcome newly-promoted Middlesbrough
today, looking for their first win of
the season at their second attempt.
Current form
City continued their opening day hoodoo in the
FAWPL last weekend.
The Bantams haven’t won their first game in the
league since promotion in 2013, and the run
continues after attempt number four.
Derby County were their victors this time, winning
2-0 in a hard fought contest.
As they look to bounce back, Boro will be hoping
to pick up where they left off after they registered
a splendid win last week.
The Teessiders started life in third tier with an
almighty bang, beating last season’s champions
West Bromwich Albion 6-0.
They ran riot in the fourth tier last term to clinch
the title, and promotion, but even they would
not have expected such an incredible start—
especially against last year’s top dogs.
Team news
While City may ponder changes to the team
after last weekend’s defeat, they remain without
defender Paige Crosby through suspension.
However, they are boosted by the return of Ellie
Olds in midfield, who missed last week’s game.
Previous meetings
This is the first time these two have met at first
team level in the FAWPL, with Boro having always
been situated in the divisions below the
Bantams since 2013.
The reserves have clashed in recent seasons and,
if their meetings last year are anything to go by,
we are in for a goal-fest—the two produced 15
goals between them in just two meetings. 6

ABOUT US
Passionate about children and young people
One in a Million is a Bradford-based charity that helps children & young people
from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing education through sports, the arts
and enterprise. We have a passion for this great city.
ONE IN A MILLION
The Bantams Business Centre,
Bradford City AFC,
Valley Parade,
Bradford,
BD8 7DY
NEXT WEEK’S FIXTURE
FA WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE CUP
West Bromwich Albion vs Bradford City WFC
Sunday 4th September 2016
Rushall Olympic
Kick-off 2PM
7

Laura Elford: “We can do better against Boro today”
Laura Elford battles for the ball against Derby County last week.
Last Sunday was the start of a new chapter
for Bradford City WFC; a new team led
by new coaches, all hoping to break new
ground in the coming years.
The result on the day was not the one
they wanted to start this new era with,
the final score reading 2-0 to the visitors,
Derby County.
However, there were plenty of positives.
To say it was the first competitive match
for this set of players, they produced a
good display, while the debut performance
of the new coaching team was
equally impressive.
In a results-based business though, it’s
about getting points on the board and, to
do so, balls in the back of the net.
“It was disappointing not to get the result,”
striker Laura Elford said about the
Derby loss ahead of today’s game with
Middlesbrough.
Reflecting on the performance though,
she was able to pick out plenty of positives.
“We pressed really well and had good
spells going forward at times. We looked
really threatening from set pieces and,
despite the result, we didn’t give a bad
opening performance.”
8

Laura Elford: “We can do better against Boro today”
Elford believes the new coaches make a
difference too, particularly the rare player
-manager role that last season’s captain
Charlotte Stuart is now occupying.
“I’ve been in teams before with playermanagers
and I think it can work really
well,” she said.
“Charlotte gets to see what is actually
happening on the pitch from a player’s
perspective, not just from the sideline,
which I think benefits the team greatly.”
Despite all the positives to pick out
though, of course there remain areas for
improvement.
No goals scored, two conceded and no
points has given City plenty to work on at
training this week, and today they are out
to build on last weekend’s display.
“The main area I would say we need to
improve on is our play in the final third,”
Elford believes.
“We created so many chances last week
but just lacked the final pass or strike.”
City have the players in their team to
score goals too. Despite a number of departures,
last season’s top scorer remains—Hannah
Campbell having scored
18 goals in 28 games.
Elford herself was the top-scorer for the
reserves last term, with 13 goals in just 11
games, while Zoe Roberts has also earned
her place in the first team thanks to an
impressive campaign with the reserves;
the full-back, a real threat from set pieces,
having scored nine times last year.
Add to this the presence of Rosie McDonnell,
who netted eight from the wing last
term, plus the recruitment of a number of
new players, and this team has goals in
them.
“We just need to relax in front of goal and
compose ourselves for set pieces,” said
Elford ahead of this afternoon’s kick-off.
“We need to ensure that we don’t waste
chances and instead hit the target.”
With the firepower in this team, and the
creative players working behind them,
there is no reason for the Bantams to
panic.
“We’ve worked on our play in the final
third in training this week, so I’m optimistic
that we can do better against Middlesbrough
today.”
9

10

The A Team: Development squad start title defence
Bradford City WFC’s ‘A Team’ started
their League Cup title defence perfectly
last Sunday, registering a 5-1 victory over
Hemsworth Miners Welfare in the preliminary
round.
Sinead Ord and Keavy Smith both bagged
braces, while Kath Connell was also on
the scoresheet as the reigning champions
got the win they were expected to.
It was never going to be an easy game,
especially with the Bantams still in preseason
given their league campaign
doesn’t start until next month.
However, they put on a fantastic, dominant
performance to set up a tie with
Battyeford Belles Reserves in the next
The A Team beat top flight Tingley 4-2 to claim the
League Cup trophy last season.
round of the competition.
Going for the double
While the A Team avenged two successive
Shield final defeats back in May with
a League Cup final victory, they did miss
out on what would have been a third successive
promotion.
Despite their cup triumph, a fourth placed
finish in the First Division gave them a
bittersweet end to the season.
Having defeated Premier Division opposition,
Tingley Athletic, to lift the trophy
though, they will be keen to go one better
in the league this year—while hoping for
a successful cup defence all the same. 11

TODAY’S
Bradford City WFC
MANAGER
Charlotte Stuart
COACHING STAFF
Lee Harrison
Faye Boshell
CHLOE PRECIOUS
CHARLOTTE OATES
CHARLOTTE STUART
PAIGE CROSBY
ZOE ROBERTS
SHAUNA LEGGE
ELLIE OLDS
ABI LEE
MEG LAWSON
RACHEL SHERRAND
REBECCA SHERRAND
HANNAH CAMPBELL
LAURA ELFORD
Sunday 28th
Kick-o
LUCY SOWERBY
ROSIE MCDONNELL
CHELSIE STOKES
Today’s
REFEREE
Christine Forsythe
12

TEAMS
Middlesbrough LFC
MILLIE BELL
ANNA BIRTWHISTLE
COURTNEY CORRIE
ELLIE DOBSON
EMMA FOSTER
JESSICA HAVELOCK
CLARE HELM
MANAGER
Lindsey Stephenson
COACHING STAFF
Kelsie Byrne, Lee
Grace, Ben Sherwood
REBEKAH HIGGINS
SIMONE LAVRICK
COURTNEY LOCK
August 2016
ff 2PM
SARAH MANNING
BIANCA OWENS
JADE RIDLEY
EMILY SCARR
LAURA WAREHAM
Officials
ASSISTANTS
Craig Frost
Hannah Cottam
13

Today’s opposition: Middlesbrough LFC
Middlesbrough shocked the division last Sunday
with a 6-0 win over last season’s champions,
West Bromwich Albion.
The Teessiders arrive at Eccleshill United FC this
afternoon looking to continue their winning
ways, with this to be their first encounter with
Bradford City in the FAWPL.
So, just who are today’s visitors?
History
Middlesbrough were formed in the late 1970s
and entered the Premier League for the first
time in 2002, having won the Northern Combination
title.
They spent four years in the league before dropping
back down to combination level, unable to
work their way back up with
a best finish of third between
2007 and 2014.
Speaking ahead of the 2015-16 season, manager
Lindsey Stephenson oozed confidence.
“This season we will look for promotion,” she
said. “That’s our aim.
“We built our team last season into the strongest
side we have had in years. We finished in
fourth place and we believe that we can win the
league this season.”
Middlesbrough went on to do exactly that. They
lost just two games all year, picking up 54 points
from 22 games to finish eight points clear at the
summit and earn promotion to the Northern
Division.
One to watch—Bianca Owens
As shown last week, the main strength of this
team is their attack; and Bianca Owens is more
than key here.
The forward, who scored in the 6-0 win last Sunday,
twice scored eight goals in single cup ties
last season—amassing an incredible 38 in 22
league games on the side.
The restructuring to the FA
Women’s Premier League
meant Boro competed in the
Northern Division One in
2014-15, and their fourth
placed finish that season
would provoke ambition
from the club and the coaching
staff alike.
Bianca Owens scored 49 goals in all FAWPL competitions last term.
Ambitions achieved
Owens was responsible for 42 per cent of her
team’s goals on the way to their league title, and
she will be the one to watch for the visiting team
this afternoon.
14

FAWPL Round-up: Sunday 21 August
The FA Women’s Premier League got underway
last weekend, and it was an up
and down day for the two newlypromoted
sides.
Both had the toughest fixtures possible,
facing last season’s top two.
Second-placed Fylde were victorious
against Leicester City WFC, winning 4-0 in
the first game of their new era.
Goals came from Charlotte Farrell, Lagan
Makin and Natasha Flint, the latter bagging
a brace in a Player of the Match performance.
However, it is newly-promoted Middlesbrough
who sit top of the standings after
producing the shock result of the week by
beating last season’s champions, West
Bromwich Albion, 6-0.
They flew out of the blocks as Samantha
Leigh broke the deadlock on seven
minutes, and consolidated that lead 10
minutes later through Millie Bell.
They would both secure braces in the second
half, while Bianca Owens and Emily
Results—Sunday 21 August:
Bradford City 0-2 Derby County
Fylde 4-0 Leicester City WFC
Middlesbrough 6-0 West Brom Albion
Newcastle United 0-1 Nottingham Forest
Stoke City 0-2 Blackburn Rovers
Scarr added late strikes to take the score
to an incredible six.
Then, tied for third and fourth after opening
day wins, are Blackburn Rovers and
Derby County.
The former beat Stoke City 2-0 due to two
goals in six first half minutes, which came
from Lynda Shepherd and Saffron Jordon.
Derby, meanwhile, beat Bradford City by
the same scoreline, Samantha Griffiths’
13th minute free-kick and Nicole Dale’s
second half effort getting the job done.
Finally, it’s Nottingham Forest occupying
fifth after a slender win over Newcastle
United. Georgia Gladwin’s goal was the
only one of the game, giving the Midlands
outfit all three points.
15

FAWPL Preview: Sunday 28 August
With five teams having got off to a terrific
start to the season, five having failed to,
and one still to get their campaign underway,
today is important for all.
With 11 teams in the division now after
the folding of Nuneaton Town, it’s Newcastle
United who sit out today’s round of
matches, as Huddersfield Town’s opening
fixture comes around.
The Terriers face Blackburn Rovers, who
will be looking to build on last week’s win
over Stoke City.
The Potters, meanwhile, will aim to
bounce back against newly-promoted
Leicester City WFC, who lost 4-0 to last
season’s runners-up, Fylde.
Fylde may have started the campaign with
a rather kind fixture, but today they take
part in the afternoon’s most mouthwatering.
After being pipped to the title last year by
them, they visit West Bromwich Albion
looking for a small form of revenge, that
in the shape of a victory.
The Baggies were hammered 6-0 by newly
-promoted Middlesbrough last week
Fixtures—Sunday 28 August:
Bradford City vs Middlesbrough
Huddersfield Town vs Blackburn Rovers
Leicester City WFC vs Stoke City
West Bromwich Albion vs Fylde
Nottingham Forest vs Derby County
though, and will not be short of motivation
to bounce back while their opponents
look to make it two wins from two.
Boro’s task today is a trip here, to Eccleshill
United, to take on Bradford City.
The Bantams fell to a 2-0 defeat last week
at home to Derby County, but they have a
fantastic record against teams in the lower
divisions and against newly-promoted
sides in recent years.
As they aim to burst Boro’s bubble, their
conquerors from last week take on
Nottingham Forest in an exciting East
Midlands derby.
One of football’s most historic games, this
fixture features two sides with opening
day wins under their belts, keen to build
on perfect starts.
16

2016-17 FAWPL Northern Division: The Standings
POS P W D L GD PTS
1 Middlesbrough LFC 1 1 0 0 6 3
2 Fylde LFC 1 1 0 0 4 3
3 Blackburn Rovers LFC 1 1 0 0 2 3
4 Derby County LFC 1 1 0 0 2 3
5 Nottingham Forest LFC 1 1 0 0 1 3
6 Huddersfield Town LFC 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 Newcastle United WFC 1 0 0 1 -1 0
8 Bradford City WFC 1 0 0 1 -2 0
9 Stoke City LFC 1 0 0 1 -2 0
10 Leicester City WFC 1 0 0 1 -4 0
11 West Bromwich Albion WFC 1 0 0 1 -6 0
/FAWPLOfficial
@FA_WPL
thefa.com/wpl
#WeArePremier
17

Bradford City walk out for their season opener with Derby County last weekend.
18

Our home of football: Eccleshill United FC
Despite elimination from the cup, Eccleshill
United continue to fly high in
the league this season.
After trailing 2-0 to Ollerton Town
here last week, the Northern Counties
East League Division One team staged
a fantastic comeback to win 4-2, and
register a third successive league win.
It was the perfect way to respond to
Wednesday’s 4-1 cup loss to Hall Road
Rangers, though the half time score
suggested it would be back-to-back
defeats for the Eagles.
Marcus Edwards’ effort just before the
hour got things going, with Sean Regan’s
side back in the game, harbouring
hope of stealing a point.
And when Luke Harrop’s third of the
campaign levelled things up just over
10 minutes later, the win seemed to
be there for the taking for the Eagles.
They struggled to punish Ollerton
properly, who were paying themselves
for not making their first half
dominance count even more.
After the visitors hung on for a while
though, a third goal finally came.
It was a dramatically late effort from
Anil Singh that turned the game on it’s
head in the 88th minute, but Alex
Cushack’s second of the season deep
into stoppage time ensured no more
unexpected twists as the three points
stayed in Bradford.
19

Last time out: Bradford City 0-2 Derby County
Bradford City opened the new season
with a 2-0 defeat at home to Derby
County last weekend.
An experienced side who had a strong
transfer window over the summer, the
Rams would prove to be too good for
City on the day.
Samantha Griffiths’ 13th minute effort
put the visitors ahead, and this lead
was doubled just after half time by
Nicole Dale.
Hannah Campbell won a penalty for
City in their bid for a way back into the
game, but new signing Meg Lawson
could only watch the resulting spotkick
clear the crossbar as the visitors
took all three points home.
It was the start of something new for
City, who came into the game under
new management and with a new look
team.
The same was true of their opposition,
making for an intriguing fixture on paper.
This expectation transcended onto the
pitch on Sunday afternoon too, with
the two teams both playing their part
in a game of football very easy on the
eye.
It was no surprise then when we were
gifted a terrific opening goal; Griffiths
bending a free-kick up and over a claret
and amber wall, beyond debutante
goalkeeper Charlotte Oates.
20

Last time out: Bradford City 0-2 Derby County
City responded well as
they thumped a shot
against the woodwork,
before goalkeeper Zoe
Millington had to be
withdrawn from the
away goal through injury.
While the Bantams were
fortunate to have a backup
stopper on their
bench, the Rams were not, with defender Lorna Abbey to deputise in between
the sticks for the remaining hour instead.
Still, City could not test her. Their build-up was good; fast, creative and positive,
but the final ball was missing and so the chances were not as clear cut.
Campbell appeared to have found a way for the Bantams to get back on level
terms when she was brought down in the area, but Lawson failed to hit the
target as the hosts continued to curse their luck.
And when Dale tapped home Derby’s second of the day shortly after, despite
Oates making a terrific double save initially, their frustration was to be compounded
in the form of a
2-0 home defeat to start
their new season.
However, with the commitment
on show for all
to see, there were plenty
of positives for this new
look side to take away,
and bring in to today.
21

McCall’s men: Thriving in no pressure environment
Victory over Coventry continued Bradford City’s unbeaten start to the new League One season last week.
Mark Marshall’s sweet strike from 25 yards was sandwiched in between two Tony McMahon penalties,
as the Bantams came from 1-0 down to win 3-1, impressing again under new boss Stuart McCall.
Speaking to the Telegraph and Argus after the game, Marshall eluded to exactly why that is.
“The manager has told the boys to go out and express themselves,” he revealed. “So when you’ve got a
youngster like Danny Devine coming in, the manager takes the pressure off him.
“If you make one mistakes, that’s fine, just go again. That’s been a big factor and it’s helped us. The
gaffer’s just said to go out there and enjoy yourselves.”
Mark Marshall celebrates his splendid strike against Coventry. (Photo: Thomas Gadd)
After starting with a goalless draw at home to Port Vale, City’s only blip has been a League Cup loss on
penalties against Accrington Stanley, who beat Premier League side Burnley in the next round.
The concern remained goals after this result and a 1-0 win over Peterborough United, but last weekend’s
performance showed that these concerns need not be too big.
McCall has never been concerned anyway: “Before the game,” Marshall explained, “[McCall] was telling
us, ‘Boys, you’ve been brilliant so far, so go out there and enjoy it.’
“That makes you relax as a player,” he said, adding that the players themselves “can’t get carried away”
with the good start either.
As well as being realistic—”There’s 42 games left and we’ve got to get 70-odd points to make the playoffs”—maintaining
a positive, pressure-free environment will be key for City this season.
22

2016-17: Fixtures and Results
COMP DATE TIME HOME SIDE AWAY SIDE VENUE
L 21/08/16 14:00 Bradford City 0 2 Derby County Eccleshill United
L 28/08/16 14:00 Bradford City Middlesbrough Eccleshill United
LCUP 04/09/16 14:00 West Brom Albion Bradford City Rushall Olympic
L 11/09/16 14:00 Fylde Bradford City Fylde LFC
L 14/09/16 19:45 Bradford City Huddersfield Town Eccleshill United
L 18/09/16 14:00 Bradford City Blackburn Rovers Eccleshull United
L 02/10/16 14:00 Derby County Bradford City Mickleover Sports
L 05/10/16 19:45 Huddersfield Town Bradford City Shelley FC
L 09/10/16 14:00 Bradford City Leicester City WFC Eccleshill United
L 16/10/16 14:00 West Brom Albion Bradford City Rushall Olympic
L 30/10/16 14:00 Blackburn Rovers Bradford City STF Stadium
L 06/11/16 14:00 Bradford City Fylde Eccleshill United
L 20/11/16 14:00 Bradford City West Brom Albion Eccleshill United
L 27/11/16 14:00 Stoke City Bradford City Norton United
L 11/12/16 14:00 Bradford City Newcastle United Eccleshill United
L 18/12/16 14:00 Bradford City Nottingham Forest Eccleshill United
L 08/01/17 14:00 Leicester City WFC Bradford City Riverside
L 15/01/17 14:00 Newcastle United Bradford City SportNorthumbria
L 12/02/17 14:00 Bradford City Stoke City Eccleshill United
L 26/02/17 14:00 Middlesbrough Bradford City Thornaby FC
L 26/03/17 14:00 Nottingham Forest Bradford City Basford United
/BCWFC
BCWFC.co.uk
@BCWFC
@BCWFC
23

24