Carlisle United Ladies are gearing up for the new season which will once again see the side represent the club across the north west. As well as looking to defend their Cumberland FA Women’s County Cup, won with a 1-0 victory in the Final in May, Tracy Gannon’s side will once again be competing in the North West Women’s Regional League this season.
The 17/18 Division One North campaign will take the team to pastures new with no fewer than four teams joining the division this season. Bolton Wanderers Reserves, Burscough Dynamo, Cammell Laird 1907 and Morecambe Reserves are the new opponents for the Lady Cumbrians who will also face more familiar teams in the form of Bury Ladies, Leigh RMI Ladies, Preston North End Ladies and a trio of fellow Cumbrian sides.
Alongside league commitments, United will again be taking part in the SSE Women’s FA Cup, Argyle Sports Kit Cup and the Cumberland FA Women’s County Cup this season. Progression to the showpiece fixture in the County Cup will mark United’s fourth appearance in the Final in as many years with Gannon’s side having lifted the trophy on two of their three appearances to date.
After a string of victories at the end of last season saw the Lady Cumbrians surge to fourth in the final table, breaking their targets for the campaign in the process, it was a busy off-season for United. Charlotte Cousin, Gillian McGimpsey, Imogen Longcake and Erin Marley were all recognised as part of the team’s end of season awards, but United will start the new campaign with a new face in goals. Cousin departs for University in the south west with the best wishes of all at the Club.
More recently, the Lady Cumbrians took part in the Club’s annual Summer Open Day and as well as fun football activities on offer there was an opportunity for supporters to snap a picture of themselves with the Women’s County Cup.
There has been no shortage of football either, with United Ladies’ Development squad taking part in the competitive Cumberland FA Women’s Summer League. As well as being on the wrong side of some narrow scorelines Paul Brotherhood’s young squad have notched some impressive victories during their season, none more so than the recent 7-1 victory over Whitehaven Miners Social. Jess Hawkins was on target with four goals in that victory and United have seen goals scored from across the squad throughout the season, which has given pitch time to new players hoping to make the step up into United’s first team and to regional league football.
With pre-season already well underway for the first team, the new campaign is set for kick-off at the start of September with the opening qualifying round of the SSE Women’s FA Cup before Gannon’s side make the trip to Morecambe Reserves in league action. United Ladies home games will once again take place at Creighton Rugby Club this season, 2pm kick-offs on Sunday afternoons.
There’s more ways than ever to keep up with the progress of the Lady Cumbrians this season as the team launches their new eNewsletter. The free to receive email updates will be delivered direct to subscribers’ inboxes at the start of every month and was well as providing an update on progress on the pitch will also highlight some of the work being done off the pitch with new initiatives this season seeing United expand existing work within the community.
You can sign up to receive United Ladies’ eNewsletter by visiting bit.ly/CULFCenewsletter. Don’t forget that you can also keep right up to date throughout the season by liking the team on Facebook, /CarlisleUnitedLadiesFC, and following them on Twitter, @CUFCLadies.
The Lady Cumbrians are also on the look out for sponsors to partner with the team this season. With a range of packages there’s something to suit both individuals looking to support the Club and businesses looking to get their name out into the community, including match, player and match ball sponsorships. For more information please get in touch by emailing tracy.gannon@carlisleunited.co.uk.