A Thank You From Steph

Firstly I want to extend my thanks to all of the fans who made the journey to The Gallagher this morning to show their support in our biggest fixture of the season. Your noise didn't go unnoticed and your efforts at the end of the match to continue your applause and take time to speak with the players meant a great deal to both the coaches and the players themselves.

For those of you on the touchline today I'm sure you saw the tears but I can assure you these were not tears to disappointment. They were tears of overwhelm and pride! Am I disappointed to not win the final? Of course I am, I'm human, it's what we play for. I know the players are disappointed too. But what we're not disappointed in is the effort of every player on that pitch today, who dug deep for a closely contested and gruelling 120 minutes of football. The result could have swayed in either team's favour. Today it was just not our day.

Today's fixture was the product of many many months of hard work. This team have trained intensely, learned new patterns of play, developed individually and collectively to create an exciting environment. One that gives me moments of goosebumps every match, one that fills my heart with pride and one that I am so honoured to be a part of. A safe and happy environment where the youth players have role models and a future within the club.

As I walked from the pitch today I had many conversation surrounding the team, their elite standard of play and to quote more than one, how they are 'a credit to the women's game' - for me, this is better than any piece of silverware we could have obtained today. To stand out as a team who not only play good football but help to grow the game is second to none and the greatest achievement of all.

In a moments of frustration and disappointment we must remember the milestones this team have made this season and the mountains they have moved. Particularly in the last 10 weeks, the growth has been extortionate. There are so many achievements worth note, it would be impossible to list them all, but I am looking forward to celebrating them at our end of season presentation.

I want to reassure you all that this growth will continue! Dan and I are committed to the team and club, we will continue to push both on and off the pitch, to grow the team, support the club, squeeze every ounce of potential from these players and build on the firm foundations we have developed.

My ask from you all, is to get behind the team for the final 3 games of the season. The team is within touching distance of a second place finish and it's in those difficult moments that your support serves more of a purpose than ever.

Thank you again for all your continued support!

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