After last weekend’s stunning Devon County Cup Victory, all attention now turns to the 2021/2022 Season.
Winning Devon’s Premier Cup competition saw the Grecian’s beat higher division opposition and, following the recent victory over another higher division side in Cardiff City Ladies, set the standard for what the Team hope to achieve in the coming season.
Manager Abbie Britton has a clear focus on what the plans are heading into the summer months: "We are looking for players to enhance what is already a promising squad. We want a squad of 16-18 players who are willing to push each other along on their own individual journeys, offering a competitive edge to training, so that come matchday, we have the best options to select from.
"We want players who want to develop and grow with the team. No player is the finished article, we want to nurture and help each player reach their potential in a professional environment, one which is supported by the Football Club and Community Trust."
City Manager Aaron Wakley is also keen to stress the importance of adding additional quality to an already talented squad: “We have got such a good group at this present moment, so we are looking for more players that will slot into that without any problems. We want to add quality to make certain that the squad stay competitive.”
With access to the same facilities as the Men’s Team at the Football Club, City will train twice weekly at the Cliff Hill 3G pitch, offering all players an opportunity to develop over the season with regular sessions.
The team will also progress into a more professional look at health and fitness in 2021 with the recruitment of a Strength and Conditioning Coach, something Abbie is pleased to see happen. “Selected first team players will have tailor made strength and conditioning programs to follow. Those players will also work alongside a performance nutritionist to maximise potential off the pitch as much as on it.”
With the Team also having use of the facilities at the Exwick Sports Hub, home of the Exeter College Women’s Football Academy, in game analysis will play a key role in the team’s preparation in 2021, as Abbie explains. “MidexPRO have kindly sponsored the purchase of new video analysis equipment so that we can help the team, both collectively and individually, analyse performance and make improvements.”
If you fancy a new challenge this season then Exeter City is certainly set up to help players improve and, with it, become successful on and off the pitch. The Team return to Pre-Season training at the Cliff Hill Training Ground on July 1 at 8pm.
If you have an interest in joining for the 2021/2022 campaign, then please register your interest at ecfcwomen@ecfc.co.uk