The only unbeaten side in the North East League Division 1 South are out for further success this Sunday but in the FA Cup, when they travel to Whitley Bay.
How did the club and particularly your team get started?
The club was originally formed as Kirklees Ladies in 1993 and played in the West Riding League winning the West Riding Cup in 2009 and gaining promotion to the North East League in 2011 finishing a very respectable 5th followed by a 4th place finish the year after. In 2013 Kirklees became Brighouse Town as part of the men’s club’s 50th anniversary. The team continues to go from strength to strength and under the guidance of manager Rob Mitchell we have made an unbeaten start to the season including an FA Cup 1st round proper appearance, the furthest the club has gone in its existence.
Tell us some of your top nicknames and why players have them and why some maybe don’t?
Lanky is a brilliant nickname, I’d be surprised if anyone even knew her real name (Lyndsay Naden). She is a tall leggy centre back who doesn’t take any prisoners. I’m sure as the season goes on a few more players will be christened!
Do you have a fairly settled team?
We have done quite well so far in terms of playing time, we have around 18 players in the squad but until recently nobody has missed out which is pleasing but there will come a time when everyone is available and some tough decisions will have to be made.
How did the 2012/13 season go for you, what do you expect from 2013/14 and who are your biggest rivals?
The gaffer came in midway through last season and seemed to galvanise the team, we had a good second half of the season and eventually finished 4th. The expectations this season are high and we are aiming for promotion which isn’t beyond the realms of possibility, We’ve made an unbeaten start to the season and have a very good group of players who are driven to succeed. I don’t want to sound too greedy but would love to get to the 3rd round of the FA Cup and get an away tie against one of the big clubs!
Tell us a top fact about your team:
We have a link with Calderdale College where one of our players, Yasmin Ayub, is the Ladies team manager. The link has produced quite a few talen
ted young players, which is credit to both Yaz and the college. Long may it continue!
Who is your captain and tell us a bit about her (nickname, background, what she’s good at and not good at)?
Claire ‘Needo’ Needham is the skipper; she is technically brilliant and has been the driving force from midfield so far this season. Her determination, work rate and desire to well always shines through. Needo was part of the Leeds Met side that included the likes of Carla Cantrell, Sarah Danby and Rachel Lee. Needo joined the club from Rotherham United in 2010 and has been an influential part of the club’s growth to where it is today.
What about your coach/manager – are they serious, funny, good/bad and why?
The gaffer, Rob Mitchell, is very organised and makes us all feel appreciated; he is very enthusiastic and just wants the best for the team. His training sessions are varied, fun and focused on development. We do a lot with a ball at our feet, which gives us confidence and freedom to just express ourselves and enjoy our football.
Tell us a funny moment the team shared:
At one of the many fundraisers, we organised wind-up toy racing, unfortunately the toy’s weren’t a great success so we went out in to the garden to hunt for insects. We managed to uncover quite a few mini beasts who were more than happy to race down the track and raise a good amount of money. We didn’t pay them but returned them back to their
home afterwards!
Who is the team’s jock (the fittest) and who is the joker?
That’s a tough one, we have a few players who could claim to be the fittest. I don’t want to sound like I’m sitting on the fence but… I am. As for the joker, I have to go with JJ, not because she plays practical jokes but because of some of the things she comes out with. Unfortunately we don’t get to hear as many comedy moments, as she is away at Loughborough University.
Does the team have an unsung hero?
Louise Sweeney has been superb for the club, not only does she organise the majority of the fundraisers and support the team at every game, she also caters for us after each home game with the help of Ruth Aitkin, with whom she serves up some quite delicious dishes.
Who is always first to the bar/on the dancefloor on a team/club night out?
We have quite a few who don’t shy away from either, Needo has to be up there, closely followed by Lanky.
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