Ahead of the GB Police Ladies’ game against Sweden in Manchester on Saturday, Fiona Gehring tells the side’s story so far.
I organised trials in February 2012 – 80+ Police Officers turned up. A provisional squad of 22 was selected.
We had one weekend of training and two practise matches against Albion Rovers and Birmingham University (won 1, drew 1). The final squad of 18 was named.
PSUK funded the squad to compete in the European Police Ladies Football Championships in June 2012. We played 5 x 90-minute matches over 6 days against quality opposition from Austria, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Denmark again. The organisation of the opposition proved just too much for the GB Police team (Won 1, Drew 1, Lost 3). The players gave everything they had and I’m proud of their efforts. Some of the other countries had up to 3 weeks in training camps before the Championships.
Since then we have played the RAF, Manchester City Reserves and Wiltshire Police over the last 6 months (2 wins, 1 loss). We hope to push forward and play a number of domestic fixtures with the Armed forces and other normal teams, as well as at least two Police Internationals, over the next 9 months.
We have two Internationals organised –
Sweden in Manchester 11th May 2013
Belgium in Ostend 23rd Oct 2013
PSUK and the committee assist with funding for four matches per year. Ken Meanwell our Secretary has provided great support to the get the GB Ladies team to this point and of course Sir Bryan Hayes and Ian Campbell of the PSUK. We would like to take the team to the 2016 USPE and challenge the big nations, such as Germany and France.
We hope to secure some serious sponsorship over the next 12 months from a number of companies / corporations to allow the team to have some squad training, additional fixtures and travel to other European Countries to play Police Internationals. We have recently agreed a donation of money from William Hill to travel to Belgium in October.
We have 26 Female Police Officers in the squad, from 10 different Police Forces around the UK. As well as myself of the Metropolitan Police as Manager, there’s and Michelle Gregory of Northumbria Police as Assistant Manager / Coach. We welcome guest coaching as and when we manage to get together.
This Saturday 11th May is our first International, hosted at Hough End Centre, Manchester. 11:30am KO (to avoid the clash with the Men’s FA Cup). Pitch side supporters are welcome and can use the clubhouse for refreshments and toilets.
Twitter @GBPoliceLadiesFty
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