Football in Berkshire’s Women’s Football correspondent Abi Ticehurst takes a look back at the 2019/20 season, speaking to representatives of every Berkshire club.
Some answers to her big questions from manager and coach Graham Ridley and player Sammy Sadler of Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League side S4K Ladies.
What’s the best thing about playing/working for the club?
Graham – For me the best thing about coaching you ladies is how I’m beginning to see players develop technically and psychologically. I think that is mainly due to the commitment of players turning out at training and the futsal. I think that’s because everyone enjoys the training and socialising with each other.
Sammy – Best things about playing for S4K Ladies are the players and the manager we have. We’re a fun bunch and we are all there to support each other on and off the pitch. We’ve got one of the most dedicated managers that I’ve played for and his passion for ladies’ football and our progression has really shown through our performance this season.
What’s been your favourite moment at the club?
Sammy – We’d been playing Futsal on Wednesday evenings, as well as training, so we’d all been working extra hard. It had felt like a long time since we’d played a match and it was the game just after the Christmas break, we won 3-1 away. But it wasn’t about the winning, something really clicked that game for us as a team and the way we played was like all our hard work was finally paying off. We really enjoyed it and probably over celebrated like we were winning the cup final! I think we were just proud of what we had achieved and how far we had come as a team.
What are you doing during this extended break to keep yourself on top of your game both on and off the pitch?
Sammy – We’ve got a group chat, like I’m sure most clubs do, and we’ve got football type challenges being set each week. So far we’ve had things like header challenges, 5k challenge, keepy up challenge and number of toe taps on a minute. Video evidence has to be shared and family members have been getting involved too. It’s been good fun and a nice way to make sure we keep a bit of football up and keep in touch. We can’t wait to get back to the game and to playing Futsal.
Team name: S4K FC
Year established: 2019
Home-ground: Ranelagh, Larges Lane
Manager & Coach: Graham Ridley
League & Division: Division 3S – Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League
Current table position: 4 of 10
Current squad size: 24
Games played: 15
League form: W – 8 D – 2 L – 5
Top goal-scorer: Ruth Bowerman – 6 in 4 appearances
Biggest win: 0 – 9 – Caversham AFC Women – 13.10.19 – TVCWFL
Biggest loss: 5 – 1 – Taplow United Ladies – 02.02.20 – TVCWFL
Fancy joining the team? Contact Sammy Sadler on Facebook if you’re interested in joining either the Sunday team or the Wednesday Futsal squad!
