Football / Bristol Rovers Women
Gas Girls ready to continue meteoric rise up women’s football pyramid
Since being reformed in 2019, Bristol Rovers Women’s have won promotion each year that a season has concluded.
The Gas Girls’ new campaign kicks off at Lockleaze Sports Centre on Sunday and both manager and players strongly believe that the club’s meteoric rise will only continue.
The South West Premier Division is the fifth tier of the women’s football pyramid, with Rovers’ first game at the ‘Estadio de Lockleaze’ versus Royal Wootton Bassett.
is needed now More than ever
More miles will be clocked up on away trips this season, against opposition including Torquay United, Poole Town and Liskeard Athletic.
Admitting he is using a well-worn footballing cliché, Gas Girls manager Nathan Hallett-Young said that he and his team are taking every game as it comes.
“When you go into a new league, you’ve got to suss out where you fit,” Hallett-Young told Bristol24/7.
“But we’re always going to be confident no matter what we do. We have a brilliant staff set-up and the backbone of the squad over the last few years as well as the players that have come in are unbelievable.
“It always gives us confidence knowing that we’ll get something out of a game because we have a strong squad.”
Hallett-Young added: “The way we like to play is possessive, attacking football. It’s exciting.”
Libby Bell is this season’s Gas Girls captain – photo: JMP
While club captain Natty Coles is on maternity leave, this season’s captain is Libby Bell, who also leads the Gas Girls appearance list with 35 starts.
“I feel like we are the most prepared we’ve ever been,” said the midfielder who has scored 23 goals while wearing the blue and white quarters.
“This season is all about the team. What’s best for the team. We’ve got a big squad this season so we need to make sure that every single player is happy in the team, trying to keep the depth there.”
Georgia Vandries is Bristol Rovers Women’s all-time leading goalscorer – photo: Rich Buchanan
Georgia Vandries was one of the original Gas Girls before leaving to join Forest Green Rovers, but much to the delight of fans she has now returned.
Her goalscoring record is exceptional having netted 36 times in 15 starts across all competitions.
“Since I’ve come back, the dynamic of the team has only got stronger. We’re all such a close group now and that is so nice.
“I think this whole team is like a family, not just a team, and this is the strongest we have ever been.”
Main photo: JMP
Read next:
- Three is the magic number for Gas Girls at the Mem
- Gas Girls celebrate promotion in style
- Gas Girls’ special edition away shirt tackles sexism in football
- Gas Girls on call to help tackle loneliness during lockdown
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