Official Matchday Programme SBS SWPL 2 Season 2018 11 February 2018 Kick-off 4pm
11 February 2018
St. Johnstone WFC vs Central FA
Issue 1 | Cover price £2 Admission £3 1
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MANAGER’S NOTES T
he first weekend of the season is here again and it seems to come round quicker every year. SWPL2 this year is sure to be one of the most exciting and competitive leagues since it started and we are all looking forward to getting underway. Congratulations to today’s opponents Central Girls Academy on winning SWFL 1.
Main shirt sponsor 2018 & 2019
This is the first time we will meet each other but after watching them play they certainly will provide a tough challenge not just to us but everyone in the league. The way they play collectively and the individual qualities each player brings to the team are impressive. Our players will have to be at their best to collect the points but that’s the challenge for us.
positivemortgages TM
It’s been a very busy preseason becoming St Johnstone which has been great for us and underlines the professionalism in everything we do. We have added a few new faces to the squad and also promoted some of our youth players who have all come in and been great to work with.
New Asst Manager John Fettes We have a new goalkeeping coach in Scott Knox and assistant manager John Fettes. They have had great input to the players and the group have responded well In training and games. The players have set the standards in preseason and made demands of themselves and each other which is great as coaches because they are pushing us also. That’s why I believe even though it’s been a short preseason the players are physically and mentally ready for the season ahead and what better way to start at home against a very, very good footballing side. I hope you enjoy today’s game, our first as St Johnstone WFC, Jason McCrindle, Manager.
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KIT LAUNCH A new name and affiliation with the legendary St. Johnstone FC brand meant new kit and a chance for some lifelong fans to finally wear their team’s strip as their own.
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eneral Manager Steve Grossi, Manager Jason McCrindle and Captain Jade McDonald were joined by St. Johnstone FC Chairman Steve Brown and representatives from kit sponsors SSE, Alan Storrar Cars, Positive Mortgages and TAN International for a press conference to launch the new gear.
SAINTS V. EAST FIFE A first opportunity for Coach Jason McCrindle and Assistant Coach John Fettes to put their squad through their paces.
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reseason friendlies are all about trying out the plans formulated during the long winter evenings, and this encounter with East Fife gave the coaching team plenty of chances to try out different combinations and a first look at some of the new talented players they have brought in over the break.
Jason McCrindle entertained the press at the launch.
We are grateful to our sponsors for all their support.
Last season’s short sponsors TAN International have signed up as sleeve sponsors in 2018.
Positive Mortgages remain firm friends of the club.
Allan Storrar Cars is a long-standing Saints supporter
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SAINTS V. COVE R.
SAINTS V. SPARTANS
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nother team to have recently undergone a change of name is Granite City Ladies, who are now Cove Rangers. The Stonehaven outfit travelled down to Perth for a competitive game that gave both sets of management plenty to contemplate for the rest of the season.
T
he final match of St. Johnstone WFC’s preseason featured a Spartans team with plenty of talent on show. Coaches Joason McCrindle and John Fettes noted that the hard work being put in during training was paying dividends on the pitch.
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OPPOSITION Today’s opposition hail from Falkirk and are a quite recent addition to Scottish Women’s Football.
A familiar face is missing from the home dugout today, but while it might take some getting used to not having her around, Donna Shaw’s legacy will guarantee women’s and girls football in Perth for many years to come.
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entral Girls Football Academy, based in Falkirk, were formed in 2014 and in 2015 their first senior team entered the league, going on to win the SWFL 2 Championship that season. 2016 saw the team finish a credible third in SWFL 1, which lay down the foundations for 2017 where the team scooped the League Championship and promotion to SWPL 2. Central have a strong youthful side which boasts several youth internationalists, currently representing the U19s and U17s National teams. With the Euro Championship later this year we will have players in both squads representing Scotland.
W
hen Donna Shaw was growing up in Perth, football was the only thing that really interested her. But everywhere she looked, she was told “fitbaw’s naw fur lassies!”
They surpassed all expectations when they won the tournament with a 4-0 victory over US opponents Marlon WFC from New Jersey to bring the trophy back across the Atlantic.
She found boys were willing to share the pitch once she had proved her considerable skills, but when it came to moving on to the next level, the only option was to move away.
Squad list:
The experience was one she never wished another girl to endure, and so when the opportunity arose to create a new club for girls in Perth, she grasped it.
It’s not only the players who have benefitted from Donna’s wise counsel either: numerous coaches have been mentored and helped along the way by her patient approach over the years.
The result speaks for itself. Together with Steve Grossi and Andy McLeish, Donna has shaped Jeanfield Swifts Girls FC into a club that now gives almost 80 girls and women the chance to play football at all ages and levels, from 6 to 36, from the FunFours to the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
Now she’s decided to take a step back and spend more time with her own family, the football family at Jeanfield and Saints would like to wish her well and express their gratitude for all she has done for women’s and girls football in our city and region.
Zoe Young Naomi Welch
Going into the 2018 season with confidence, Central will take each game as it comes. “There are many good sides in our league and all will be looking to push into the SWPL 1 league, we will do our utmost to be in the mix at the end of the season,” said the club secretary.
Sophie Morellio
On achievements last year, along with the League Championship, Central Girls became the first Scottish side to enter the Disney International Cup, Florida USA.
Morgan Cross
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DONNA SHAW
Ellie Kane (c) Jade Lockie Shaney McCabe Sarah King Chelsea McEachran Megan Gallagher Kim McAlpine
Numerous girls have been inspired by the Shaw mantra – we never lose, we either win or we learn.
Emma McMurdo Monica Alexander
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Back row (l-r): Steve Grossi, Eilidh McIntyre, Rhianna Tweedie, Amy Henderson, Rachel Todd, Rebecca Cameron, Corrie McIlravey-Davidson, Roberta-Leigh Cochran, Ellie Cowie, Emma Flynn-Scott, Emma Maclean, Laura Dunn, Scott Knox Front row (l-r): Rebecca McGowan, Rachel Wolecki, Leah Fleming, Niamh Irvine, John Fettes, Jason McCrindle, Rebecca Foote, Megan Moss, Hannah Clark, Emma Sommerville
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SWIFTS TO SAINTS Firmer ties to St Johnstone FC have been on the cards for a while, as SJWFC General Manager Steve Grossi explains.
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would like to take the opportunity to welcome everyone today to what is yet another landmark day in the history of the club - our first competitive fixture as SJWFC. The furthering of the partnership between Jeanfield Swifts Ladies and St Johnstone FC has been the result of two very successful years since we have been based here, and also an incredible amount of hard work from all the people who shared our vision. I have always been encouraged by the willingness of Steve Brown and the team at St Johnstone to make this happen, and as always have been in awe of the efforts of our players, coaching team and support team in creating a team that is certainly, in my opinion, a capture for the SPL outfit. We have an incredible group at this club and the culture they create continues to drive us all on together. In terms of resources we are still very much a small fish in a big pond but the whole team operate with a conviction and a determination that has seen them establish themselves as an entertaining SWPL outfit . They have never done anything other than fill 12
A NEW ERA BEGINS 2017 sponsors, have welcomed 15 new sponsors and are honoured to have SSE, Alan Storrar, Positive Mortgages and TAN International as our kit sponsors. This has allowed us to provide a little bit more in terms of off-field support for
our players in appreciation of their personal commitment. Thank you again to everyone who has and continues to play a part in the operation & support of the club and I am looking forward to enjoying another season with you.
Steve Grossi General Manager me with pride when I watch them compete and I’m sure this coming season will be no different. I’ve taken great deal of pleasure already this year, watching the Jason, John and Scott work so hard with a squad that is packed full of ability and character. It is also encouraging to see so many Jeanfield Youth players now competing in this SWPL squad - a testament to the youth policy and ethos at the club. I’m not sure there is any other club in the country who continue to blood so many youth players every season. We have been very lucky to have secured the renewal of all of our
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PLAYER PROFILE New signing McGowan hoping for a year to remember having to listen to Hannah Clark’s terrible banter! Of course, she has immediately felt at home with three of her best “football friends” Leah Fleming, Rachel Wolecki and Hannah already squad members.
Rebecca McGowan Sponsor: easityre
D
uring the close season Jason McCrindle secured the signing of young Rebecca McGowan from Raith Rovers. The 16yr old midfielder is also a member of the U17s National Squad and has a busy year ahead of her looking forward to her first season in SWPL and the U17s National Squad Elite competition. Bex has been really impressed with the set up in Perth: “I joined St Johnstone as they are in a competitive league, and I wanted to continue to play at the highest level. The club is brilliant and the players were all welcoming to me when I first joined. I hope to improve as a player, and enjoy my football”. However Bex did mention one downside of joining the team is 14
Not surprisingly Bex started playing early at 8 years old playing football with her older cousins and brothers all the time, then decided that she wanted to play for a team. She joined Raith Rovers and played for the club right through their age groups. The highlight for Bex from her years at Raith was defeating Dunfermline in the U17s League Cup final, and her top highlight in football has been getting selected to represent Scotland at U15, 16 and 17s. In her short time so far in Perth, Bex is already a big admirer of captain (and part-time model) Jade McDonald and has always admired Kim Little.
REBECCA McGOWAN eral Manager Steve Grossi with her favourite foods being Italian specials Pizza and Pasta although we reckon Steve perhaps eats a bit more than Bex! Bex has enjoyed many happy years at Raith and two of her favourite memories were scoring a last-minute free kick in the Scottish Cup v Dee Vale Ladies, and the more comical moment where the corner flags were actually stolen during an U17s match ! In addition to all her football commitments Bex admirably still finds time to coach and passes on her knowledge in both football and netball, and she also plays netball for her school team and squeezes badminton into her schedule. 2017 was a very busy year for Bex at National level. The first trip was
Given her success at youth level it isn’t surprising to hear that Bex has ambitions of one day representing Scotland at full national level, and her travels with Scotland have seen her face her hardest ever opponents - Germany U15s.
to Slovenia to prepare for the Euros. Then it was onto Latvia where qualification to the elite round was achieved by beating both Slovakia and Latvia. This month the team will play two friendlies in Iceland as preparation for the Elite round in March in France. The final words from Jason McCrindle sum up our new recruit well: “We have certainly signed an incredibly talented girl in Bex and a player with a great attitude to her football and indeed sport in general. “She has settled in very quickly, impressed everyone on and off the pitch, and we are hoping to help her enjoy a very successful year with St Johnstone WFC and Scotland. I’m really looking forward to working with her”.
Rebecca is sponsored by easityre, and has additional sponsorship from Bodywise, SMG Technical and Allied Interiors.
Bex has similar taste to our Gen-
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MATCH SPONSOR W
e are delighted to welcome Radio Taxis as the match sponsor for our first competitive match as St Johnstone WFC. It is quite fitting as Sandy and the team are sponsors of St Johnstone FC and have also been partners (Double Player Sponsor three years) of Jeanfield Swifts Ladies and now SJWFC.
PATHWAY
so the sponsorship certainly inspired the girls. We would like to take the opportunity to thank Perth Radio Taxis for their continued support.
Last season their package included Eilidh McIntyre who was on the scoresheet regularly and Emma Maclean our double Player of Year
TODAY’S MASCOT O
ur mascot today is 9 year-old Avah Jane Robertson, from Edinburgh.
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istory was made at the University of Dundee Sports Ground last weekend as the first Jeanfield Swifts Women’s Development team took the field in a friendly against Dundee University WFC, winning 5-0.
Avah’s favourite team is Hearts, and she plays for Boroughmuir Thistle in the capital, where she is an attacking midfielder. She is an avid follower of the women’s game in Scotland, and her favourite player is Hibernian’s Scottish internationalist Abi Harrison.
Having identified that the step from youth football to SWPL is only continuing to grow, the club’s leaders this year decided to create a second senior team that would provide opportunities for returning players to play competitive football, and also allow talented players
Thank you for coming through to support us today, Avah. We hope you enjoy the game!
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St. Johnstone WFC vs Central FA
The addition of a Development team to the Jeanfield Girls FC-St Johnstone WFC pathway provides a stepping stone into senior football for talented young players.
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from the youth section to benefit from their experience. Jeanfield Swifts Development will play in the SWFL 2 (East) league and, after a League Cup match this afternoon in Bishopton on the west coast, kicks off its league campaign away to Kelty Hearts WFC next weekend. The new team is coached by Callum Kay and captained by none other than formerJeanfield Ladies player, Erin McCrindle, who is returning from the shortest ever retirement in football!
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ST. JOHNSTONE WFC 1
2
Corrie McIlravey-Davidson A&B Taxis Perth
4 Rhianna Tweedie
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10 Ellie Cowie Master Trophies
Hannah Clark Station Hotel, Leslie
11 Niamh Irvine Liam Anderson Arch.
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Amy Henderson
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Jennifer Rodgers Milk Hairdressing
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Chiara Grossi Grossi Dry Cleaners
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Emma Flynn-Scott Smith Services
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SQUAD 2018
Emma Maclean Radio Taxis
16 Laura Dunn Radio Taxis
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Eilidh McIntyre AGB Scotland
19 Rachel Todd J T Handyman
12 Rachel Wolecki Victoria Houston Prams
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Rebecca McGowan easityre
14 Rebecca Foote Ally Foote Flooring
17 Leah Fleming Fleming SubServ Ltd.
20 Rebecca Cameron
15 Megan Moss A&B Taxis Perth
18 Jade McDonald Stephen Gardiner Homes
21 Bobby Cochran AM Architect
22 Emma Sommerville R&M Bearings
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SWPL2 FIXTURES Date
Opposition
11 Feb
Result
Date
Opposition
Central Girls FA (H)
20 Jun
EUHV (A)
18 Feb
Aberdeen (A)
24 Jun
Kilmarnock (A)
11 Mar
Hearts (H)
5 Aug
Motherwell (H)
18 Mar
Glasgow Girls (A)
19 Aug
Central Girls FA (H)
15 Apr
Kilmarnock (H)
26 Aug
Aberdeen (A)
22 Apr
Motherwell (A)
9 Sep
Hearts (H)
6 May
Central Girls FA (A)
23 Sep
Glasgow Girls (A)
9 May
Aberdeen (H)
30 Sep
EUHV (A)
13 May
EUHV (H)
21 Oct
Kilmarnock (H)
27 May
Hearts (A)
28 Oct
Motherwell (A)
3 Jun
Glasgow Girls (H)
Result
Designed & edited by Iwan Davies, Translutions Ltd. Printed by John McKinlay Printers Ltd., 11-15 King Street, Perth ©Jeanfield Swifts Girls FC 2018