By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter
@Siwri88
The Women’s
Super League continues to evolve with new league champions in September as
Liverpool Ladies ended Arsenal’s domination over the last decade.
Bristol
Academy and Birmingham have shown consistent challenges in the last few seasons
and now there is likely to be a new force next season in Manchester City
Ladies.
Earlier this
month, they were granted entry into the new WSL campaign which will start in
March 2014. It is likely that they will get strong support from the club’s Abu
Dhabi owners, just as Fenway Sports Group have done with the revolution that
has taken place with the Liverpool Ladies squad.
Brian
Marwood, Managing Director of City Football Services was excited when he heard
the news that their entry into the WSL had been approved. He said: “The women’s game is continuing to grow at a pace with 28 million girls
and women playing football worldwide, making it the most popular female
participating team sport. We look forward to the continuation of that growth
and to bringing the club closer to this global fanbase.”
They have
made a double signing recently to signal their intentions too. England
international Jill Scott (pictured) has signed from Everton on a two-year deal and she has
been joined by her international team-mate and goalkeeper Karen Bardsley.
Scott said: “I’m really excited. For me, it’s a
chance for a fresh start with a new challenge. It’s fantastic to be here and to
see the plans that Manchester City Ladies have in place to compete in the first
season of the FA WSL."
The
26-year-old is a key signing for City and has been a focal point of the Everton
squad since moving there seven years ago from her hometown club Sunderland. She
captained the Toffees to a 5th place finish in the WSL last season
and has made 74 appearances for England. She also helped Team GB reach the
quarter-finals of the Olympics last summer.
The arrival of
Bardsley, England Ladies number one goalkeeper is also another crucial move and
indicates that the plans this new team have are very exciting. Like Scott,
Bardsley has signed a two-year contract after leaving Lincoln Ladies at the end
of the last campaign. She is a strong communicator with her defenders and an
excellent shot-stopper. I wouldn’t be surprised if these aren’t the only two
big names to arrive at the club.
The years of
Arsenal Ladies dominance in women’s football look to be a thing of the past.
With Liverpool and now Manchester City starting to make their mark, the 2014
WSL season could be one for football fans to really keep an eye on.
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