NUFC Women announce big changes after back-to-back promotions as 11 are released
So, on Thursday 30th May 2024 Newcastle United Women announced that 11 out-of-contract players were being released. Meaning they weren’t being offered contracts for next season. Many having seen the list believe all others in the squad have been retained.
I’m not so sure! I think there’s at least two names not on that list I’m certain won’t be part of the Lasses squad next year. I could of course be wrong but I’m pretty sure from information I’ve received there’s definitely going to be more released or won’t re-sign.
Let’s look at the 11 - Paige Bailey-Gayle, Naomi Bedeau, Grace Boyes, Tyler Dodds, Bridget Galloway, Cara Milne-Redhead, Erin Nelson, Keira Skelton, Anna Soulsby, Sharna Wilkinson and Lilie Woods.
In my last ‘rumours’ blog I mentioned that Anna and Sharna were in tears after the Lasses last game of the season at WBA despite both scoring in a 4 – 0 away win. I guess we now can confirm the reasons for those tears.
I was also told that Bridget was almost certain to sign for Sunderland with a few ‘Black Cats’ possibly coming the other way. None of that has been confirmed of course but the release of Bridget could be an indicator of what’s to come.
Were there any surprises on the list for me? Possibly two! I always thought Tyler Dodds and Naomi Bedeau were quality players and never ever let the side down when they played. So perhaps those two.
That said Tyler was inconsistent, wingers often are, and when The Toon signed Beth Lumsden she lost her first-choice spot. Even towards the end of the season she sometimes didn’t make the squad so perhaps not a surprise.
Naomi was a very, very solid defender with a touch of class about her. But she suffered from injuries and missed a large part of the run-in. That has possibly counted against her. However, wherever she goes some Club is going to get a quality player.
We have to remember too that The Lasses did an incredible job getting back-to-back promotions but that there’s no doubting that the step-up to The Championship is going to be massive and perhaps a step too far for some. At least in Becky Langley’s eyes.
Of the others, Grace was never really a full part of the first team squad. She has plenty of potential and time on her side but not a surprise at all to see her on the list. Cara went out on loan and has started her own coaching business so again not a big surprise.
Erin Nelson was perhaps rewarded for past efforts with a contract for the last season. Didn’t quite work out for her as once again, as it has throughout her career, injuries held her back. She’s got well documented health problems but is good enough to come again.
Another one that has time on her side and huge potential that is a little unfortunate is Keira. One of the solid standouts in the promotion from Division 1 North she missed the whole of last season through injury so we never saw if she could play at the higher level.
Now that we’ve moved up another level and she’s been out a full season it’s probably not a surprise that she’s not been offered a contract. I would though watch out for her. If she gets back to fitness and turns her potential into reality she may well be back.
Lilie always felt like a strange signing when we already had two very solid goalkeepers. She will have benefited enormously from being around the team and The Club. It should stand her in good stead wherever she ends up and again she has youth on her side.
Which leaves Paige Bailey-Gayle a full Jamaican International that played at last years World Cup. When she arrived, she arrived with a bang and scored goals. She looked as if she may well have been the centre forward for The Championship.
Unfortunately, her form and goals dried-up. She didn’t kick on and has perhaps paid the price for that. So she joins Bridget as a centre forward being released which possibly tells us something about players who may be brought in.
Commenting on those released Becky said: "I want to thank the players for the part they have played in our journey. They have contributed to some incredible moments and memories, and we simply couldn't have made the rapid progress we have without them. We wish the girls the best of luck with the next step in their careers."
Sentiments I want to echo and repeat. Now comes the exciting bit! Some have now gone so others must be about to come in. Can’t wait to find out who that may be and looking forward to telling you all about it in the future.
