The Women’s team have provided the first piece of silverware in its very young history having only been formed in 2018/19 season.
The club won promotion in its first season and after a couple of Covid disrupted seasons, they have finally won the silverware they deserve – winning the league title and another promotion.
Abbie Fisher has played a large part in the success having moved from Brett Vale during the first of the covid hit seasons, making the step up and looking comfortable at the higher level.
She said: “I think the moment we knew we could win the league was in preseason. We have a great squad and we pushed hard in training sessions and without being arrogant we had the mentality this was our year”.
One of the biggest parts in the team’s success has been it close knit group of players that has created a strong team dynamic.
She continued: “My favourite goal was Mia Etheridge’s header to clinch the title against Newmarket as she doesn’t score many and missed a few sitters that we rip her on, but she was injured for a while, and worked very hard to come back so we were very glad that she scored the title clinching goal.
“Being league winners, being promoted and making the Suffolk Cup final basically sums up how this season has been and we are all so proud of each other!”.
All these sentiments are echoed by Warren Lewis-Claxton, who also celebrates his first success as a manager having taken the role from Freya Louis as she went upstairs to overlook the whole of the women’s provision.
He proudly acknowledged his team’s achievements: “It’s a great feeling! To be able to gain promotion, and in the way we have done it, I’m really proud of everyone!
“It’s been a great season; we’ve had so many high points to look back on. The team morale is top class, and the team have shown that both on and off the pitch this season”.
The future is bright with a lot of the squad supplemented by an influx of under 16 players stepping up to play at the women’s level for the first time in our development team.
Skipper Amy Trenter excited for the future commented: “The season has been about gaining experience, learning and consolidating the way we play in a tight division. It has been a pleasure to help the girls making the step up from the under 16’s with some having a taste of first team action as well it shows how strong the women’s provision is at Needham”.
The hope is that this transition season will lead to greater success for the club in the future.
She concluded: “With strong foundations in place and with a full season together under our belts, we will be looking to push on and make progress next season, challenging for the league and cup competitions. I’m delighted the first team have brought home silverware this season and as captain of the reserves we will be looking ahead with the same level of ambition next season”.