They have a ‘Tiger’ in their tank and four wins in the bank so far in their open-age debut campaign in the Birmingham League Division 2.
How did the club and particularly your team get started?
The club was originally formed as Woodloes JFC in 2001, but since then has progressed as a well-established community football club and has changed its name to Warwick Juniors FC. With the introduction of a senior ladies team in 2013, it will now provide a ladder for Warwick Angels U-16s to progress their playing careers, staying with the club they have known and loved. After winning their league in 2012/13, it became apparent that some girls would no longer be able to play in the competition. Ending on such a high, it was a shame to know that it was the finish for some, this was until War
wick Ladies was born thanks to Manager, President and Secretary of Warwick Juniors, Dean Brandrick, with a little help from Kim Brown.
Tell us some of your top nicknames and why players have them and why some maybe don’t?
Weirdly enough we are not really a team of many nicknames, other than Dorgy (Michelle Dogen), Tiger (Sharon O’Brien) and Trash (Tracey Kelly). Dorgy was given hers for her surname. Tiger was given her nickname from her “early” days when she used to be a bit rough on the field. And for Trash, she was given her nick name as her kids couldn’t pronounce her name when they were younger.
Do you have a fairly settled team?
We have a fairly settled team. For our first season we have all gelled well together, although a few of us have played together before, there have been a few new faces. It’s nice to have the mix of young and “old”.
How is the 2013/14 season going for you?
So far the season is going well; we are the middle of the Birmingham League Division 2 table and still a few games behind. I didn’t know what to expect from this season as we are a new team, so it could have gone either way. I am happy with where we are and I hope the team can fight for a top position in the league.
Tell us a top fact about y
our team:
Top goal scorer for the team is Chelsea Ireland, scoring in nearly every game of the season.
Who is your captain and tell us a bit about her (nickname, background, what she’s good at and not good at)?
Our captain is Angie Galloway. She was born in Newarthill but now lives in Oxfordshire. She is brilliant at keeping the team in order and is always telling us where to be and who to mark. She is our secret weapon when psyching out the opposition with her ‘prison tattoos’, as Chelsea likes to call them.
What about your coach/manager – are they serious, funny, good/bad and why?
Simon Arnold is quite strict when he wants to be, his pet hate is the usual coaches’ one; ‘Talking when he’s talking’. He soon sends us running around the pitch when he’s hit boiling point. Other than that, he is a member of our team as much as we are; we can have a laugh with him and know we can chat to him about anything. Our favourite thing about him is his ‘Kangaroo Jump’ celebrations whenever we pull out a great move together or score.
Tell us a funny moment the team shared:
This would have to be when after one of our latter games of 2013 when the team celebrations ended up in a pub take over, which involved a lot of dancing on and off the tables!
Who is the team’s jock (the fittest) and who is the joker?
I’d have the say the fittest in the team is Michelle Dorgan, aka Dorgy, as one of the most experienced players in the team, next year will be her last season ever playing football. Although, I’m sure we can persuade her otherwise. The joker in the team will have to be Chelsea, if a camera is ever about, I’m sure she’ll flash her match day pants.
Does the team/club have an unsung hero?
Our unsung hero of the club would have to be Sophie Thomas. She has stepped up to the plate this season and has been our goalkeeper despite that not being her position. Each game we play we have seen her improve so much.
Who is always first to the bar/on the dancefloor on a team/club night out?
This would be Tiger! Never mind the dance floor, she’ll be boogying on the pitch, in the street and on the tables!
Pictured (from top) – Warwick Ladies FC, Sharon O’Brien, Angie Galloway, Michelle Dorgen.
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