Gloucester City Ladies FC |
Like most semi-professional clubs, Gloucester City FC are able to boast their own ladies team. |
Formed in June 1997 under the guise of the 'City of Gloucester Ladies FC' they played their games at the Black Bridge sports ground in Podsmead. There were however a few games held at Meadow Park before they were invited to join up with the main club in 2002. |
The club started life in the second division of the South West Womens Football League before finding their feet in the Gloucestershire County League. The Tigresses enjoyed mixed fortunes until the move to Meadow Park where they came runners up in the County League and earned promotion back into the SW League for the 2003/04 season. |
The team, managed by Martyn Stephens and coached by Ian Powell, under their guidance has seen a very youthful side blossom. With talent emerging from the U-14 team the future is bright! |
Home games are free and are usually played at 2pm on Sundays. Training is held every wednesday at Matson Rugby Club. If you would like to join in, please email . |
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Gloucester City Ladies FC - Squad |
![](images/teams/cityladies241004.jpg) City ladies 2004/05 |
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Goalkeepers |
Last season's goalkeeper Kat Blunt, an excellent shot stopper but lacking in height stepped up a level in the closed season and joined Forest Green Rovers. This left City with a dilemma of having no goalkeeper, so fourteen year old Melissa Deveraux made the step up from the under 14 set-up. Despite a few nervy games the goals against column speaks for itself about the performances she has put in. When necessary, although it detracts from the strikeforce, Helen Wood stands in between the sticks. Our other goalkeeper, Stella Davies, is currently unavailable as she is concentrating on table tennis as she plays for England! |
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Defenders |
One problem for the team has always been protecting the lead that the rest of the team build. Not since Katie Lee retired have the club had a brave centre half, that is until the emergence of Grace McCatty from the u-14's. Grace reads the game incredibly well for someone so young and plays in the same style as Rio Ferdinand. |
Left back Sandra Saunders is one of the longest serving players at the club but in recent months has seen her place come under serious threat from Grace Smith, both solid defenders who rarely threaten the opponents goal. Former Forest Green player Kerys Portbury signed midway through last season and has added strength to the defence. |
In the heart of defence we have Joanne Thompson, Tracy Squibb and Isobell Herrick. Jo has all of the attributes to make the perfect pairing with McCatty as she is tall and quick, plus she is a threat at corners. Both Isobelle and Squibby are back up to the first team. |
Vicky Fyffe and Ameila Scognamiglio are two of the younger girls hoping to make the step up from the under-14's with them featuring at right back and left back respectively. |
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Midfielders |
Donna Turner is the driving force in midfield. She is an experienced player who has played for Manchester United LFC and stands out with the younger members of the team. Jade Lewis is currently unavailable through injury but can play anywhere in the centre of midfield or defence. |
A bright new star emerging from the u-14's is Jodie Hennessy, a powerful midfielder who can get forward and score goals. Laura Meheran has been around for two seasons now and it's easy to forget how young she still is, she is comfortable on either side and weighs in with half a dozen goals per season. Jenny Herbert is a reserve who plays in the centre of midfield. |
Making the step up from the under-14's Laura Green and Laura Stephens have both featured for the first team this season already but waiting in the wings is Lana Stevens, described as a utility player who will even play in goal if necessary. |
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Attackers |
Attack is the strength of the side with one of the most potent front lines of any league that they've played in over the past few seasons. The main threat is Helen Wood, a bustling forward with an eye for goal that has seen her score with a ratio of three goals every two games over more than one hundred appearances! |
The main supply routes are from either wing where both Yvette Kemp and Tsileka Perry are a constant threat. Yvette, or Kempy as she likes to be known has been at the club for six years now yet still isn't twenty. She's a talented player who is comfortable with both feet and can shoot from distance to great aplomb. Tsileka is a recent graduate from the under-14's and her major asset is her pace but she can also be relied upon to get amongst the goals. |
When called up, reserve strikers Lorraine Johnson and Laura Akers never let the side down. Lorraine is all about raw pace and power, a bit like a female Emile Heskey whilst Akers has all the trickery of an old fashioned winger. Hayley Appleby and Sian Rollings are youngsters who have been impressing for the reserves so far this season. |
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Image Gallery: (click to view full size pics) |
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Web Links |
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