With holidays and injuries it has been a difficult close season for Heanor Town Ladies FC. Some players were also unsure about their availability for the coming season which left the management short on numbers.

Kirsty Doyle has moved on for personal reasons and veteran Jane Cherry has decided to hang up her boots full time after service the club for the past 12 years as player, captain and secretary.

All the players and management would like to thank Jane for her loyalty and dedication over these 12 years.

Numbers have been swelled with the sad news that Ripley Ladies are unable to carry on, and so four players have joined the Lady Lions with the possibility of two more doing so in the near future.

All four players have looked good in training and will get a run out in the friendly on Sunday, September 14 against Ashbourne Ladies at Ashbourne, who will have ex-Lady Lion Di Critchlow in their ranks.

Heanor this year will have to travel to Grimsby, who have had their application for league membership accepted.

The first game is on September 21 against Steel City Wanderers away from home.

Also signed is Kim Jeffrey, a player new to the game but plays in goal!

This is a position the Heanor Ladies management have been looking to fill for the past three years.

It is hoped that with a squad of 18 players Heanor will be able to field a strong team and have cover for the few girls that have occasionally to work on Sundays, injuries, etc.

The squad is as follows (so far):- Adele Biggs, Becky Turgoose, Charlotte Maxted, Clare Hunt, Emma Millership, Katie Green, Kim Jeffrey, Lawren Poyner, Lorraine Stone, Louise Hawley, Rachael Allen, Sara Gingell, Zoe Roberts, Nichola Sketchley. Hopefully, there will be four more additions before the start of the season.

Manager – Dave Cherry

Coach – Marc Wilcoxson

Goalkeeper’s Coach/Coach – Ross Cherry/Joe Cherry

Assistant Manager - vacant