Winton Wanderers Ladies are set to make club history as they are set to play in the FA Cup this weekend.
The historic game for the club, will see the team compete in Women’s FA Cup Qualifier on Sunday 7 September.
The game will kick off at 2pm at the Eccles Sixth Form College, Chatsworth Road, M30 9FJ.
The club are arranging for supporters to come along and cheer on the team this weekend, as they aim to advance in the competition.
The event will be a huge moment for the club having a team book their place in the FA Cup for the first time in its 30-year history.
As Club Secretary for open age teams, Sarah Wolff said: “We have a women’s team that joined us mid-way through last season and were able to qualify for the FA Cup campaign.
“They got a bye in the first round after their promotion last season. But we are really proud of them, and it is so special because eight members of the squad that have been a part of the team since they were juniors.
Sarah added: “It is really special for all of us, especially to see them representing Winton.
“It is unique in the sense that the girls haven’t had to go elsewhere to play in the FA Cup, some of them are playing for a club, and wearing a badge, for a team they’ve been a part of since they were 8 years old.
“Every year we do a photography session, and have the photos dotted around the club café and the social club – and for some of the women playing in this fixture, we have pictures of them from when they were children.”
She continued: “Often they get scouted, and we want them to be professional footballers, but its so unique that girls and women can grow up and represent Winton in the FA Cup, so for us it is amazing.”
And Club Chairman of Winton Wanderers, Lee Egan continued to share his pride for the occasion, as he said: “This is the first qualifying round of three that they will have to play in before they reach the First Round of the FA Cup.
“For us it is amazing as it is our 30-year anniversary this season, and this is the first time ever any team, at any level has been at such a stage, this is a massive landmark for us as club, especially to be in the FA Cup.”
Lee continued: “We are incredibly proud, and I am really looking forward to the build up to the game and get as many children to the game as we can.
“The game is a massive achievement, and we want to back them all the way – and we want to make it a celebration too, as we want to continue growing.
“It is amazing to see the girls and women progress, but I am so proud it is happening through the club.”
And with the game being such an occasion for Winton Wanderers, Sarah continued to share how important this will be for future generations at the club.
She said: “The women in the team’s today were long before the success of the England Lionesses, playing in mixed teams, predominantly boys’ teams when they were younger, and now they are little bit older they will be representing us in the FA Cup on Sunday.
“Winton Wanderers are a massive club, we have 67 junior teams and with 26 of them being girl’s teams – something like this will motivate the girls to see there is an end goal insight.
“We want to show them there is an avenue for the open-age team and how competitive they are.”
This feeling was the same for Lee, who shared how proud he was of the squad and his pride of how far the club has come in the 30 years, he added: “I think a moment like this really shows the aspirations of the club, and it also shows the pathway that the younger girls have.
“We have girls joining the Wildcats Academy at 6,7,8 years-old and it shows them that pathways are open to them, and there is a very good standard of football being played.
“But we want the girls to look at the game this weekend and think ‘this could be you one day’ that’s what we want.”
Lee continued: “You can look at the Lionesses and what an inspiration they have been, as it wasn’t noticed as much 30 years ago, as there weren’t many leagues let alone teams.
“It was difficult for girls to progress, and now there are a lot of pathways that can be made. It is truly amazing that the girls in our teams can look at them this weekend and be motivated and inspired by it.”
And fans will be welcomed to the club this weekend as they play their first qualifying game in the FA Cup. with tickets priced at £3 for adults and £1 for children.
Free entry will be for any for any Winton Wanderers members and coaches wearing kit for the fixture.
The game will kick off at 2pm at the Eccles Sixth Form College, Chatsworth Road, M30 9FJ – more information can be found here.
Recent Comments