We caught up with Woodley United’s Sabrina Kulan, who may not have scored for 4 years but her side are top of the Southern League and in the Cup Final on Sunday April 27th.
Woodley are quite an unknown in the football world, are you putting them on the map with this unbeaten, title-chasing season?
Woodley was started up 7 years ago by a number of people who in the past had played for well-established teams like Reading and Barnet. But for their twilight years (for some of us anyway) they just wanted to play some local football with their friends and then obviously after about 20 minutes of our first game, it became serious again!
In regards to this season we have in a new coach, who really doesn’t like to lose and thankfully, so far, we have managed to keep him relatively happy. As for putting Woodley on the map (if anyone even knows where Woodley is), then as much exposure as we can get is great for us and I am sure in a few years time (when I am long retired), we will see Woodley up there with the best.
Which player has been your most impressive opponent this season and why?
Our most impressive team by far this seson has been Chesham United in the quarter finials of the Berks & Bucks Cup. We are a fit team and have so far this season have had a great start, but this was a side a few legues above us, playing better teams on a weekly basis. So, as underdogs, we knew we had nothing to lose and thankfully we played like that and managed to come away with a victory. There were certainly a few achey joints on the Monday though!
What are the best and worst grounds the team have played at?
To be honest, our ground is probably the worst. Most of the teams in our leagues are affiliated to a men’s club in someway, where as we don’t have that luxury. We still have to cover the cost of pitches, refs, training and food, etc, but I do think we have the best food in the league! There is always hot food, tea, coffee and hot chocolate waiting for our away teams, but I will spare you the details of the gourmet sandwiches we are treated to.
How did you cope with all the winter storms and floods?
To be honest, the floods have been an absolute nightmare for us, our home pitch has only just become available for games, so we have had to seek alternate arrangments for the past few weeks. But luckily for us, we have kept ourselves busy with friendlies {mainly against men’s teams} and lots of training sessions. We are just hopeful now for some sunshine!
Tell us your highs and lows of the season to date
I would say so far for this season, going the first half of the campaign unbeaten and then reaching the final of the Berks & Bucks Cup would probably be our highlights. The low would have to be that I now haven’t scored for a record-breaking four seasons and have warned the girls I refuse to retire till I do!
Woodley United take on Parley Sports in the Southern League Cup Final on Sunday April 27th at Aldershot Town FC, 2.30 kick-off. The match is preceded by the Chairman’s Cup Final at 11am, to be contested by Andover New Street and Gosport Borough.
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