Sheffield FC Ladies report that they have a new first team manager for the very first time since their formation in 2003.
The Club has made the appointment ahead of its debut season in the FA Women’s Super League which will kick off in March 2016, and will see Mick Mulhern lead the team into its biggest challenge yet.
Mulhern was the manager of Sunderland AFC Ladies for 15 years, stepping aside last November having just guided the club to the FA WSL2 title at the first time of asking. He led the club to seven divisional titles and one FA Women’s Premier League Cup win during his tenure, and was the English women’s game’s longest serving manager at the time of stepping down.
The new boss is excited to get started: “It’s fair to say this job really ignited my passion, and I’m delighted to be involved in the FA Women’s Super League again.
Sheffield FC Ladies has progressed and evolved over the last twelve years, and it’s great that a club with such great tradition now has a women’s team that has been accepted into the WSL. I’m very excited at the prospect of working with the staff and players at Sheffield, and to be part of this historic time at the club.”
After seeing the team rise from the lowest level of the women’s game to their current position, Helen Mitchell, who has been the ladies first team manager since its formation in 2003 but is now the club’s General Manager, has led the recruitment process and is thrilled with the appointment of Mulhern to the manager’s role.
“I honestly cannot think of a better person to hand things over to. Mick is someone I have the highest regard for, and has one of the most enviable records of any manager in the women’s game.”
“It was so important to us that we appointed someone with a proven track record in the women’s game, and at the highest level if possible. Mick has successfully taken a team from the FA Women’s Premier League into the FA Women’s Super League, and has done it keeping the core of that team together, two factors that are very relevant to us in our current position.”
“He knows the women’s game inside out, knows how to manage players to get the best out of them, and has a proven track record of developing young talent, again all attributes that were high up our wish list.”
“The current players have all met Mick for the first time this past week, and just can’t wait to get started. We are an ambitious club, and he will drive the team forward as needed. I have no doubt that he is the perfect person to lead the team into this new chapter.”
Looking ahead to the challenge in store for his new club, Mulhern commented: “The WSL is a competitive and professional environment and obviously it’s a big challenge that we are very excited about. The teams in the league are well established, and as we are the new kids on the block, there is no pressure on us at all. The players and I will set the aims and objectives in the coming weeks. I’m sure we will all enjoy and accept the challenges ahead and grow into the league, developing and improving as we go.
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