The Club is delighted to announce the formation of a Hartlepool United Ladies Team which will compete in this season’s Durham County Women’s League Division One.
Pools have linked-up with Seaton Carew Ladies to form the new team, which kicked-off the 2015/16 league campaign with a resounding 7-0 win over Consett AFC Belles on Sunday.
Manager Andy Stuart has also overseen a 3-2 win over Ashington Ladies in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup at the beginning of the month and the girls now host Redcar Town Ladies on Sunday.
While their regular league games will take place at Hartlepool Power Station, Sunday’s FA Cup game will be played at Billingham Town’s Evolution Arena (2pm kick-off) – admission is free.
“We want to thank Hartlepool United for welcoming us in,” explained boss Stuart.
“The girls have been so excited since this has become a reality for us and that’s been reflected in the quality of their performances in training and in matches.
“Our whole aim is to develop our girls in to better players and the support of Hartlepool is going to give us the opportunity to not only do that but hopefully attract more players to the club.
“I have been in charge of the team for three years and even in that time I have seen a big change in women’s football – the girls are quicker, sharper and technically better than ever.
“I think it’s because they can see there is a route in to professional football for women now; a lot of our players were at The Vic when England Women played there and they got to meet Steph Houghton – that kind of thing acts as a massive inspiration.”
Currently operating five steps below Women’s Super League Division One, there is a burning ambition for Hartlepool United Ladies to climb the ladder quickly and achieve some real success.
However, for now, the Club’s Chief Executive Russ Green is just thrilled that the Club has taken the step to bringing on board a women’s team and is hoping Pools fans will get right behind them.
“We recognise the impact that the recent World Cup has had on women’s football and when the opportunity arose to host women’s football at the Club we jumped at it,” he commented.
“We now have two senior teams and a number of junior teams all operating under the banner of Hartlepool United and hopefully this new association can help us expand even further.
“They’ve got a big game in the FA Cup at Billingham on Sunday and I would urge as many Pools fans as possible to get along and support them if they can because it’s the start of something very exciting.
“The Ladies Football Team is the first part of a large scale project we’re currently embarking upon to involve all sections of the community in the Football Club.”