Durham midfielder Beth Hepple says that there are a number of teams who cannot be written off in the FA Women’s Championship this season.
This season’s competition looks stronger than ever before with potentially at least half of the participating clubs having a chance of challenging for promotion. Liverpool look to be the strong favourites while the likes of Charlton Athletic, Coventry United and London City Lionesses have invested heavily in their squads. Durham and Sheffield United went close last season and will be confident of pushing for promotion again while you can’t rule Lauren Smith’s evolving Bristol City side out of the running. Despite not being listed amongst the potential front runners, sides like Lewes and Crystal Palace will also be confident of further progression.
Speaking ahead of the FA Women’s Championship’s big kick-off this weekend, Durham midfielder Hepple echoed many people’s thoughts that the league is so difficult to call this season and she will be taking nothing for granted.
“I think the league is so open;” Hepple told FAWSL Full-Time. “I think it was last year, I don’t think one team ran away with it.
“Liverpool are going to be up there, you’ve got Charlton, you’ve got Sheffield, there are a number of teams that you just can’t write off.
“Everyone is investing more money, the women’s game is getting more money and more coverage. It’s great but that means that there is more competition. We’ve just got to do our thing, focus on us and try and be better every week.”
Durham start their season against newly-promoted Watford at Maiden Castle on Sunday. The Golden Girls were awarded a Tier Two licence as part of the ‘upward club movement’ application system over the summer but with two curtailed FA Women’s National League South seasons along with a wave of summer signings, Hepple admits that Durham don’t really know what to expect from the Hertfordshire club.
“We don’t really know very much about Watford;” Hepple said. “They’ve brought in a lot of new players but it’s going to be a huge test. They are going to be pumped up with it being their first game back in the league and they are going to want to prove something.
“Every game is going to be a challenge every week and we won’t expect anything less. We are going to have to prepare hard and be ready.”
Durham’s opening FA Women’s Championship fixture of the season against Watford kicks-off at midday on Sunday. Fans can purchase tickets in advance by clicking here.