As Everton Ladies leave the top tier of the Women’s game. Andy Lamb spoke to defender Lindsay Johnson following the side’s 2-0 loss away at Notts County – the game that confirmed their relegation from FAWSL 1
“It’s still quite hard to put into words obviously, the girls, the squad and the staff are all pretty devastated at the moment. It’s pretty tough to take.
“I’ve been at the club for 11 years and we’ve been in the top flight for over 20 years, so it’s obviously not what we wanted from this season and it’s hard to take but life goes on and you’ve got to start looking to rebuild. It hasn’t been a great season for us in the league, we couldn’t get a win and we are all disappointed in ourselves as well.”
There’s instant reaction these days via social media – were you able to look at any on Sunday after the game?
“We had a long bus journey on the way back it was tough to take. It was hard to go on there but I did and there were really nice tweets off some people in the league including messages from Neville Southall, other managers and ex-players. I think it’s obvious that Everton has got a place in lots of people’s hearts in the league after being there for so long.
“We made a decision that we wouldn’t be sending out tweets ourselves and that Michelle as captain would be the one who sent something out for our fans, thanking them and I thought that she put it well and it was really well worded message to everyone and is exactly how we are feeling. It has been Michelle’s first season as captain and she has done well and the experience will have done her the world of good.
“Since the Super League started we have struggled to go along with the progress of other teams in the league. We haven’t quite made those strides yet and I think this season it really did show. The standard of players has improved as girls are given more time to train and clubs are investing more. The obvious teams who have gone professional – the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City this year – have made massive strides and you can see it.
“If you go professional and are training daily with the same players, it is going to have a positive impact and Everton haven’t made that step yet. The club has been brilliant and always supported us, we have never asked for anything and grateful for everything they have done for us but we have struggled against the teams that are professional and you can see that. It’s great for the game, it’s moved on but unfortunately we haven’t moved on as quickly as other clubs.
“The younger players this season have been thrown in a little early, Gabi [George] has been outstanding as I’ve played alongside her this season, Dan Turner has stepped up to the mark and Lucy Whipp has worked her socks off. Certain experienced players haven’t performed in some games we have missed Jody’s [Handley] wise head further up the field to slow down play and keep hold of the ball. A lot of players have looked to me, Rachel [Brown-Finnis] and her this season but we have been looking to push it back on them and make it their club as well as ours.
“Each and every one of us has to look and think what can I do better and how can I improve. We have got to move forward and ask ourselves how can we improve as a squad. We are relegated now so we’ve got to look to the future. Everyone’s focus will be getting back into FAWSL 1.”
So finish the season on a positive and with heads held high, break, pre-season and back to take on promotion?
“That’s the thing, with the girls and the staff the aim is getting back into FAWSL 1, where Everton Ladies belong.”
And I hope there isn’t a need to hang up the boots just yet
“(Laughs) Not just yet.”
Photos: The FA via Getty Images.
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