New Zealand international Grace Neville spent six years at London City Lionesses, helping them win promotion to the Women’s Super League.
She’s now back in the second tier with Ipswich Town – and has revealed why she opted to switch to East Anglia.
“I was there [at London City Lionesses] for a long time – six years – so I watched the team grow, have its ups and downs.
“Then Michele Kang came in and transformed it into this amazing club that it would be.
“[I have] very fond memories of my time there – but I was super excited to leave that part, that chapter and then come here and start a whole new adventure.”
And she says it was the right decision for her.
“It was difficult in the sense of I felt I saw it through, and finally got the promotion, which is why I stayed for so long – I always felt there was something there and we could push on and do good things.
“But I felt like it was the right time for me to step away and start a challenge here.”
And she’s confident that Ipswich can mirror the achievements of London City Lionesses – and look to push for promotion themselves.
They have already secured a goalless draw against WSL2 leaders Charlton Athletic – which Neville thinks is their best performance so far this campaign.
Grace Neville: Birmingham City are very clinical
And on Sunday, 12th October, they face another tricky team in Birmingham City, currently second in the league.
“I have played them quite a few times and they are very clinical, very good around the box,” Neville said.
“We have set up and trained well so hopefully it will be a positive game.”
And although Ipswich are currently 11th in WSL2, they’re only two points off seventh-placed Crystal Palace.
“You have take it game by game in the Champ [Championship, now WSL2],” she added.
“You never know, whatever team you come up against, it could be a different challenge, I suppose, and on the day anyone can win.
“Last year was amazing. We just took it game by game, which is something similar I want to say to the girls here, just each game is a new challenge, and you never know.
“You could be playing bottom of the league or top of the league. It doesn’t matter on the day. It’s football at the end of the day, and anyone can win.”
