With the new Premier League season imminent, we spoke with Liverpool Marshalls Feds captain Chantelle Thompson about the new campaign, after finishing runners-up last term.
SK: How difficult was it to be pipped to promotion last season?
CT: To sum it up in one word, heart-breaking. It was really tough to take especially as it was in our own hands at our own place, where we hadn’t lost in the league all season. We just didn’t turn up on the day, maybe the occasion got to us slightly. It wasn’t even that Leeds outplayed us, we were our own worst enemy that day.
SK: How did 2014-15 match up to your expectations?
CT: Last season was above and beyond what we could have imagined, after being beaten 7-1 in the first game away to Morecambe we really didn’t know what to expect. But to have the defensive record we had at the end of the season and to finish second was brilliant. For a club that has no financial backing, is self-funded and competes in the same city as WSL clubs like Everton and Liverpool and then also Mossley Hill, we were extremely proud.
SK: What has the team learned from the campaign?
CT: The team have learnt an awful lot, it really did have an effect on everyone losing out on the last day. We have learnt that although we like to play football the right way, sometimes we need to be a bit more direct; we need to learn to score more goals and that’s something we have been working on in pre-season.
SK: Have there been any player and staff movements over the summer?
CT: There have been lots of movement over the summer. Our manager last year, Ste Appleton, was offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to move to South Korea to coach, so we lost him but we have brought in John Evans from Crewe as Manager, ex-Everton player Leanne Duffy as Assistant and then first team coach in Lou Worrall. Player-wise we lost some big names in Faye McCoy and Levi Wensley, who are now competing in the league above but we have brought in real quality with a few signings which will strengthen us back up. It’s about the players that are here now and I couldn’t be more excited.
SK: What is the feeling about the new season and who do you see as title challengers?
CT: All the management and players are excited and can’t wait to get going. The atmosphere among the players is probably at its best at the moment. Obviously we know it’s going to be tough to repeat last season but were more than willing to give it a try! Title Challengers, obviously I hope we can be up there. I can see Middlesbrough being very strong this year and then you have Leeds who have a great set up and Chorley who are always in and around the top.
The Feds start their league fixtures on Sunday August 16th, at home to Norton & Stockton Ancients at their IM Marsh Campus base, KO 2pm.
Full FA Premier League fixtures and venues for each division can be found here.
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