By Martin Lee, manager of BSLFC.
The 2018/19 football season is now finished for both teams of Bradley Stoke Ladies FC (BSLFC), who competed in Division 2 of the Gloucestershire County Women’s Football League.
The first team had a great season, finishing in third place and missing out on second place by just one point in the very last match. Their last game was a great battle against confirmed league winners Cheltenham Town, which ended in a 0-0 draw. They were also the first team this season to keep a clean sheet against the title winners, which is a great achievement for the girls. Promotion may be on the cards, depending on how the league structure is next season, so be on the lookout for that.
The development team have worked really hard all season to ensure more girls are able to play regular football. Although things have been difficult at times, they have managed to finish the season as a team and things are looking positive for the future. Their last game was played against Cotswolds Rangers and the girls gave it their all.
Bradley Stoke Ladies were also successful in applying for the Tesco Bags of Help grant scheme for May and June. You can support the club by putting your blue tokens in the BSLFC pot when you leave Tesco! It will go towards more funding for the club for next season, allowing girls and women throughout the area to keep playing football on a regular basis.
BSLFC will also have their usual stall at the Bradley Stoke Community Festival on Saturday 8th June. There will be various different games and fun for all, with lots of prizes to be won. Please come and visit the stall to support the club – it is really appreciated by everyone involved.
Bradley Stoke Ladies are looking for new players for the 2019/20 season. We are a friendly team with a mix of abilities and ages. You can find us training on Tuesdays, from 6.30pm, on the grass at Bradley Stoke Community School, with matches played on Sundays once the season is back up and running in September.
You just have to be at least 16 years of age – so why not come along to a free taster training session? Training runs throughout the summer, with tournaments and pre-season friendlies still to be confirmed.
The club’s ethos is to allow all female players the opportunity to play football. We are an FA Charter Standard Community Club and are very proud of this. We welcome all players of all abilities and any age of 16 years old and above. If you are 15 years old, we still allow you to train with us, however you cannot sign to play in the league until you are 16 years old. The club has FA Level 2 qualified coaches to run training sessions and they are also members of the FA Licensed Coaches Club, to ensure their techniques are the most up-to-date. We have female coaches at the club and the committee is dedicated to ensuring all females get the opportunity to develop and grow within a safe and fun-based environment.
Come and give us a try and join in the enjoyment of being part of an established and growing local football club.
• Visit Bradley Stoke Ladies FC on Facebook
Photo: The first team squad, with manager Martin Lee and assistant manager Ross Lee, relaxing after their final match of the 2018/19 season, against league winners Cheltenham Town.
This article originally appeared in the June 2019 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal magazine (on page 30). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH (except August), to ALL 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
