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By Kevin Redsull
For the first time in their 100-year history Deal Town will have their own women’s team next season.
The team, who last season played as Deal Town Rangers, will play under the banner of Deal Town Women FC and use the Charles Ground as their base instead of the Goodwin Academy.
They will be in Kent Division 2 East of the South East Counties Women’s League and be managed by Martin Hollands, who has been acting as head of women’s/girls devlopment” at Deal Town Rangers for the past two years and who took over as manager of the senior team in April.
He said: “At Deal Town Rangers we have worked hard to create an exclusive environment for girls to come and express themselves with the ball, free from the pressures that can surround boys’ football.
“Before the Covid outbreak I attended a ‘Weetabix Wildcats’ training course at Wembley Stadium with the aim of running Wildcats sessions at Deal Town Rangers.
"The Wildcats scheme is a non-competitive, fun way for girls aged five to 11 to get involved with football and we now run sessions every Sunday morning at the Goodwin Academy under the leadership of Simon Earle.
“We also have an under-11 team which is run by Ross Evernden, who is a great coach, and an under-13 team which is currently led by one of our first team players, Maisie Dennison.
"Over the next couple of years we hope to have opportunities for girls to play in teams across all age groups.”
The work of Hollands and his team of coaches was recognised by the Deal Town board, who suggested the switch, and Hollands said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the team to play for this great local club, and to play without match and training fees.
“Playing our home games at the Charles Ground will be special for the girls.
"Our matches will be played on Sundays and advertised on our social media channels. It will be great to have people come down to the ground, watch us play and give the girls the support they deserve."
He added: “We are always looking for new players, volunteers or anyone that wants to get involved. If you are interested please email me at: marthollands@gmail.com.”
