Ipswich Town Women are on the cusp of a ‘proud moment’ as they embark on their first season in the newly-named Women’s Super League 2. After a successful campaign in the Women’s National League Southern Premier, the team has undergone changes, including a move to Colchester United’s stadium and the addition of new players with second-tier experience. Captain Maria Boswell and Manager Joe Sheehan share their thoughts on the challenges and excitement that lie ahead, as Ipswich prepares to compete against tough opponents and embrace the demands of a higher league.
A new chapter begins for Ipswich Town Women as they prepare to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the Women's Super League (WSL) 2. This isn't just a change of name; it's a significant step closer to the top tier of English women's football.
Ipswich clinched the Women's National League Southern Premier title in impressive fashion last season, securing 17 wins from 22 games and suffering only two defeats. Now, with the division rebranded as WSL 2, the stakes are higher, and the competition promises to be fiercer. The team is now fully professional.
Adding to the sense of change, Ipswich Town Women will be playing their home games at Colchester United's Jobserve Community Stadium, a venue with a 10,000-seat capacity. This move signifies the club's ambition and readiness to embrace a more prominent stage, even if it means leaving their familiar Martello Ground in Felixstowe.
The season kicks off with an away fixture against Southampton at St Mary's Stadium. For new signings Rianna Dean and Paige Peake, this will be a return to familiar territory, having previously represented the Saints.
Captain Maria Boswell expressed the team's collective anticipation, stating, "It's something a lot of us have been thinking and dreaming about for a long time, so to finally be able to [make the] step up will be a very proud moment."
Joe Sheehan, the Ipswich Town Women's manager, recognizes the significance of the step up to WSL 2. He acknowledges that the team will face new challenges and learn valuable lessons along the way. While they may not always be the dominant force they were in the previous division, Sheehan believes the team is ready to embrace the increased competition.
The manager noted, "It's a step up and there's lots of things we're going to learn about ourselves that perhaps we haven't had to experience previously. But as a club, for some time now, we've been ready for this step up and over the first four or five games we'll get a measure of where we're at."
Ipswich face tough matches against teams like Crystal Palace, aiming for a quick return to the top flight after relegation, and Birmingham City, who finished as runners-up last season. The league's geographical spread also presents logistical challenges, with teams from Newcastle United, Sunderland, and Durham in the north-east to Southampton and Portsmouth in the south.
Sheehan is realistic about the shift in dynamics, "In the division we've been in previously, we've probably been the dominant team across all the metrics - tactically, technically, really strong mentality, we've physically profiled really well. Making a step up now, we're possibly not going to be that dominant team. We're hoping there'll be some areas we'll have some really good strengths in but we're going to meet teams now that are going to be really equipped across all of those things."
To bolster their squad for the challenges ahead, Ipswich have made eight new signings, including midfielder Maddy Earl on loan from Arsenal. Alongside these new additions, the club has retained thirteen players from last season's title-winning squad, including top scorers Sophie Peskett and Natasha Thomas. The focus has been on bringing in players with experience in the second tier.
Sheehan emphasizes the importance of balancing experience with the existing talent, "You want to make sure you've got the required experience, players that have experience of the level - it gives everyone a little bit of confidence. But also we want to make sure the players that have worked really hard to get us to this situation also deserve their opportunity to embrace this division. It is difficult getting the balance right, but the new ones have integrated really well and there's a really strong bond between everybody, which is a really strong part of the foundation for the team. We're really happy with what we've brought in."
While leaving Felixstowe is bittersweet, the move to Colchester offers exciting possibilities. And the club is keen to repeat their success at Portman Road, after they attracted a crowd of more than 10,800 for a match against Plymouth Argyle in March.
Boswell added, "We've had a very good pre-season - six weeks to get into that mentality of what this new league is going to bring. It's a higher league, new opposition. Every single team now is mostly professional so it's going to be a step up, especially physically. They're very organised and if you switch off against them for a second you can easily get punished. Nearly all the players we've brought in have experience at that level and have been invaluable to us with little bits of information that just give us a little idea of what we're going to be coming up against. That's been really helpful."
As the team prepares to make their WSL 2 debut, Boswell reflects on the significance of the moment, "I've probably spent the off-season thinking about what that moment's going to feel like and now I'm really raring to go and excited for it."