Palace Women v Sheffield United matchday programme 2223

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Anna FILBEY

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Aimee EVERETT Impact Sponsorship

Rianna DEAN Alan Dean

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Kirsten REILLY Andy Davis

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Leigh NICOL The Brand Masters London Ltd

Shauna GUYATT Eagle Eye View

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Fran KITCHING (GK)

Natalia NEGRI (GK)

Hope SMITH (GK)

CPFC USA

Grubb

Good afternoon everybody, and welcome back to Hayes Lane for today’s Women’s Championship fixture against Sheffield United.

I’d firstly like to take this opportunity to welcome and congratulate Jonathan Morgan on his appointment as Head Coach of Sheffield United. Jonathan and I have had some great battles over the years when he was manager of Leicester City, and today will undoubtedly be just as tough as it always has been before.

Last time we were here –against Durham a fortnight ago – I wrote in my programme notes that, over the last few weeks, our performances had improved, and that the players’ growing confidence and continued hard work was, at some stage, going to pay off. I’m happy to say that I was right!

That recent win over Durham was our first in all competitions since early January, and it was pleasing to see the whole squad smile again after what we all recognised had been a tough few weeks.

The way the players applied themselves against Durham, and continued with the game plan, is a testament to how hard they have been striving to turn results around.

To grab all three points in the manner in which they did – with an excellent performance – really does show that sticking together and trusting in what is being asked of you can pay off with the rewards and performances which are deserved.

I’d also like to thank our supporters, who always come along in their numbers and back us to the hilt. Even when we were in a rut, they still turned up. That’s expected,

because that’s what Palace fans do, but I’m really pleased and privileged to say we have a group of fans who will always stay with us.

We know that we’re in for another tough test today against Sheffield United, but hopefully the game will see us carry on that good work and build on recent performances, as we try to ignite some momentum for the fixtures in the weeks ahead.

Enjoy the game! Dean .

manager

To grab all three points in the manner in which they did – with an excellent performance –really does show that sticking together and trusting in what is being asked of you can pay off

cpfc women cpfc women

I grew up in Bradford but started out in Leeds United’s academy for a year when I was nine or ten, before moving to Bradford City Women’s team from the age of 12, making my way into the first-team at 16. I support Bradford City. I had a season ticket there and still support them now – although it can be quite painful these days!

molly-mae sharpe

I loved watching Kelly Smith and Sue Smith growing up. Sue Smith was just the ultimate player, really. She was the one who actually scouted me for Leeds, so I got to meet her, which was amazing.

My Mum has no idea about football – she doesn’t have a clue. She never liked it or enjoyed watching football, except when I was playing. She supported me loads, driving me from one end of the country to the other to give me the opportunity to play.

When I was asked to train with Bradford’s first-team, I was nervous at first. My coach was amazing. He said: “Just come and train – we won’t put any pressure on you to play, it’s just that we’ve heard good things.” Because I support Bradford, it was massive

Crystal Palace Women broke club records in 2021/22, and are looking to do the same this season. In each edition, we hear directly from one of the squad, with Molly-Mae Sharpe discussing her path to Palace from West Yorkshire – via sunnier climes in the United States…

As a 16-year-old, in her first season with the Bradford City Women’s first-team, Sharpe scored a hat-trick in the final of the West Riding County Cup to defeat Leeds United.

Take note of Sharpe finished joint-top scorer with Durham Women in the 2020/21 Women’s Championship, netting 10 goals as her side finished second.

universities started getting in touch with me, offering scholarships. I knew it would be for me – and the weather in England just wasn’t doing it for me!

for me, putting on that shirt. The girls really got behind me, even though I was young. It was a great experience.

It had always been in the back of my mind to move to the United States. When I went into secondary school, I heard about the colleges out there. I put a video of myself online playing, and universities started getting in touch with me, offering scholarships. I knew it would be for me – and the weather in England just wasn’t doing it for me!

play professionally in the one top league or nothing. I knew I wanted to carry on professionally, and Durham Women offered me the chance to play in the Women’s Championship and complete a Masters’ degree through a scholarship at the same time.

I wanted to continue my education, so I thought it was a perfect opportunity to get my Masters’ and play at the same time. Durham is only an hourand-a-half away from Bradford, so I was able to go home and see family and friends, too.

We came second in the Championship in 20/21 and had a great season. It was great jumping straight into the league, scoring goals and playing every week.

It was a massive decision. Like I mentioned, my Mum always supported me, but it was just me and her at home, so it was difficult letting her only child move to Miami. She knew that a full scholarship at a university in America was an amazing opportunity that I just couldn’t pass up.

I also studied for a degree in Sport & Exercise Science for four years out there, alongside playing. It was perfect. I won Offensive Player of the Year in my last year –that was a great achievement, and we did quite well as a team.

After my four years in America I was 22-years-old. It’s changing now, but back then it was either

I’d always admired Crystal Palace. They were always a very difficult team to play against, and they were always involved in the community. London as a city had always appealed to me. I really just thought it was the place for me, so I moved in 2021. Now, I love it here. It’s obviously expensive living in London, but it’s worth it!

The fans that come to watch us carry us every week – they’re brilliant. They travel up and down the country to support us, and we appreciate them so much. Seeing them at our games gets us all buzzing, to be honest.

We’ve just got to carry on with the process and carry on improving every week. We want to finish as high as we can in the league, so from now on, we’ve just got to take every game as it comes

We’re building every week and every training session, we’re getting better.

There are 4.36 million of us and we are tomorrow’s female future.

We’re part of every community and come from all social backgrounds, cultures and religions with different skills and abilities. We’re an unstoppable force for good if we’re given the chance. The chance to play football.

We want to play in the school curriculum, at breaktime, after school, at local clubs wherever, whenever we want.

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Taking small steps today can dramatically improve your wellbeing tomorrow, adding more life to your years. And, it’s never too late to start.

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Seasonal Stats

Player stats league table fixtures & results

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Fran KITCHING (GK)

Annabel JOHNSON

Fliss GIBBONS

Chloe ARTHUR

Anna FILBEY

Aimee EVERETT

Molly SHARPE

Rianna DEAN

Annabel BLANCHARD

Kirsten REILLY

Lizzie WALDIE

Natalia NEGRI (GK)

Hollie OLDING

Ellie NOBEL

Issy SIBLEY

Elise HUGHES

Polly DORAN

Shauna GUYATT

Hope SMITH (GK)

Coral HAINES

Leigh NICOL

sheffield united f.c.

Ellie WILSON

Charlotte NEWSHAM

Sophie BARKER (C)

Naomi HARTLEY

Grace RIGLAR

Courtney SWEETMAN-KIRK

Maddy CUSACK

Bex RAYNER

Alethea PAUL

Georgia WALTERS

Rhema LORD-MEARS

Mia ENDERBY

Tamara WILCOCK

Chene MUIR

Sophie HAYWOOD

Charley DOCHERTY

Fran STENSON (GK)

Maria FRANCIS-JONES

Rachel BROWN

Molly GRAHAM

Bethan DAVIES (GK)

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