With the season for each of our female teams now finished, The New Saints FC’s Head of Women and Girls’ Football, Andy Williams, looks back on a number of achievements.    

“All of our women and girls’ teams have worked relentlessly this season, thus surpassing all expectations”, he said. 

“I am able to pinpoint three reasons as significant contributors to this – the ambition of the club coupled with the ambition of those leading each of the teams; the commitment of the players and their families to give their all and make the effort worthwhile; and the adaptability of each team to learn and improve.

“It’s nice, now and again, to have a moment when we can pat ourselves on the back. The WU14s eventually finished third in the league after winning the charity cup; the WU16s won their own treble of league, league cup, and Shropshire County cup; the WU19s finished league runners-up in the inaugural Adran 19 North; and the first team retained their Genero Adran Premier status following a remarkable turn-around in the last month.

“In more ways than one, the 2021-22 season has been a transformational year for the senior first team. Firstly aligning with our men’s team in the National League of Wales and secondly, promoting the modern image of female football by rebranding as The New Saints Women.

“The season and journey itself has been one to cherish with my personal highlight being given the honour to lead the team as the first Head Coach in the Adran Premier.

“There were some nervous times amid the numerous difficult periods; nevertheless, the team showed incredible resilience in ‘getting the job done’.

“As much as it wasn’t the way we wanted to do it, staying up on the last day convincingly defeating Port Talbot Town was an amazing feeling, and a day I will never forget.

“In the cup competitions, we held our heads high faring well in both, although falling twice to the eventual winners having led in both ties. We succumbed in the third round in the FAW Women’s Cup after an 85th minute Cardiff City goal brought about a 3-2 loss. A similar story unfolded in the Adran Trophy, only this time heartache came in the semi-final at the hands of Cardiff Met.

“Preparations for next season are already well underway. As the spotlight on female football increases expectations, so too will our ambition, commitment and adaptability. See you all next season.”

If you’d like to join one of the teams at The New Saints or get involved, you can contact Andy via email at andy.williams@tnsfc.co.uk.