When Eddie Howe and his Mighty Mags qualified for the Champions League, transfer rumours intensified around St. James’ Park. Understandably so. Even if they hadn’t qualified, the rumours would have been many and mighty.
But there’s another team in the camp that’s looking forward and planning for their next adventure – Newcastle Unite Women; who recently clinched their Championship and promotion to the FA Women’s Northern Premier League.
Speculation immediately turned to who Becky Langley and her coaching staff might target for the new campaign to bolster their squad, along with who they thought may or may not be good enough to play at the higher level.
That speculation will now only intensify as NUFC Women announced their retained list and said fond goodbyes to other players who have been released. Whilst many of the retained players were expected there were a lot of surprises in those that were released.
In all, United only retained 16 of this season’s Championship winning squad and released 10. It means that there is certain to be a huge influx of new players and talent when Langley’s side report for pre-season to prepare for their league campaign.
The 16 players retained are; Katie Barker, Grace Boyes, Daisy Burt, Grace Donnelly, Kacie Elson, Rebecca Ferguson, Georgia Gibson, Cara Milne-Redhead, Erin Nelson, Bianca Owens, Charlotte Potts, Hannah Reid, Keira Skelton, Anna Soulsby, Olivia Watt and Sharna Wilkinson.
Looking at that 16, perhaps the two biggest surprises are Boyes and Watt. Neither played any real part in the success last season being injured for virtually the full season. Watt though, the season before, was a first-choice centre back for The Lasses. Both have Langley’s blessing and perhaps injury-free will show why and how they’ve earned the call to arms for next season. Time will tell.
The other two who may have raised an eyebrow or two are Milne-Redhead and Wilkinson. The former arrived in January to bolster the squad but never really made an impression on the team but has clearly done enough to warrant further attention.
Wilkinson was an integral part of the squad up to the turn of the year, before seemingly falling out of favour and disappearing from the first-team squad. The others all looked like shoe-ins and so it has proved.
The 10 released though is where the big shocks have come. Those released are: Rachel Lee, Beth Guy, Freya Bailes, Laura Robson, Ellie Dobson, Emma Wallis, Millie Bell, Ellen Packham, Charlyann Pizzarello and Jane Harland.
The biggest shocks are Lee and Guy – who were the first-choice central midfield pairing during the phenomenal run-in to The Championship – and Freya Bailes, who started alongside Charlotte Potts at centre back during the same period.
There could be other reasons behind that. Guy is a serving police officer who’s shift patterns sometimes saw her miss training or games. Lee came back superbly from a long-term injury and was a real veteran leader. Perhaps she’s earned retirement. Something she was contemplating.
Bailes was often chose over other available centre backs so that one is perhaps a puzzle? Of the others Robson, Dobson and Wallis were invaluable early season when Langley’s side was stretched through injuries but none were used that much towards the end of the season when others were fit.
Bell was often on the bench without making a massive impact she always looked like a player that might come through. Packham recovered from injury and made the match day squad often towards the end of the season.
Harland has been a stalwart for United but is not a surprise whilst Pizzarello (surely one of the greatest surnames ever!) came in January and never ever quite fitted in. We wish all ten of them all the very best whatever their next endeavours are.
Of course, United’s Women have a Development Squad – who had a terrific season, winning two cups and finishing second in their league – have a wealth of emerging talent that can be promoted to the first-team squad.
Perhaps, although it seems unlikely, one or two that have been released may end up helping out there in some form of capacity. Again, who knows.
There are rumours and pretty substantial ones that NUFC Women may be handing out full-time contracts next season in their bid to get promoted to The FA Women’s Championship just one step away from the Super League.
If that happens then it again alters the thinking and certainly with many, many positions and places to fill in the first-team squad it’s a big consideration. It definitely makes it interesting as to who and where recruitment will be targeted.
One thing is for certain; those that have left do so with massive thanks and gratitude for their service and commitment and we await with bated breath not just to see who Eddie adds but Becky Langley as well. Exciting times ahead.
Here’s what Langley told NUFC.co.uk when addressing the
“I would like to personally thank the players who will be departing at the end of the 22/23 season. They have achieved success, embraced the fans and inspired the next generation. That counts for so much.
“Their support to me on and off the pitch has been immeasurable. It’s hard to beat a team that gives their best and is having fun. That’s what these players instilled whilst living and breathing the club’s values. Some of these players have played for me for over four years. I would more than anything just like to say thank you for the memories.
“There has been laughter, tears of anger, tears of joy and some fantastic moments to celebrate. It has been an absolute rollercoaster but what a ride. I will never ever forget every single player’s contribution this season. These players will always have a special place in my heart and my football career.
“No one can ever take this promotion and moment in history away from the players. We simply would not be in this position without every single one of them. I will cherish the memories and I wouldn’t want to have done it with a different group of girls. I am proud to have managed each of them, it has been a real privilege working with all of them and I wish them all the best of luck for the future.”
With Eddie Howe leading Newcastle to a Champions League qualification, it’s natural that transfer rumors would swirl around St. James’ Park. However, there’s another team within the club that is also looking ahead to their next adventure – Newcastle United Women. The team, under the guidance of Becky Langley and her coaching staff, recently secured the Championship title and promotion to the FA Women’s Northern Premier League.
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